Significant green areas in Buzau could be transformed into areas with fruit trees, due to an initiative submitted to the Buzau City Hall which aims to provide residents with access to natural, chemical-free produce, the project being inspired by similar projects in New Zealand and cities across the European Union.

In addition to chestnuts, linden, sycamore tree or other species of ornamental trees, various trees such as apple, pear, plum and cherry trees, as well as berry bushes and herbs suitable for teas could be planted in Buzau.

In recent years, many of Buzau’s green spaces have been neglected, turning into near-arid patches.

A local councilor has submitted a project called ‘The Edible City’ to the Buzau Municipal Council (CLM), through which he wants to promote healthy food, environmental education, and community involvement.

‘The initiative seeks to transform public green spaces into areas with fruit trees, edible shrubs and aromatic plants, accessible for free to all residents. The goal is to give locals direct access to healthy, chemical-free fruit and plants, in a context where many store-bought products are imported and treated with substances that may harm health. Project phases include: identifying suitable green areas across the city, planting fruit trees (such as apple, plum, cherry and walnut) and edible shrubs, setting up three pilot urban edible gardens, creating an interactive digital map of edible plants in the city, organizing educational workshops for students and community activities for maintaining the spaces,’ local councilor Laurentiu Stilpeanu told AGERPRES.

Buzau’s ‘Edible City’ project, inspired by New Zealand, is to be put to council vote.

‘The ‘Edible City’ project is inspired by international success stories from Auckland, Nelson, and Waiheke Island in New Zealand, where the concept of ‘urban foraging’ has been implemented with excellent results: thousands of fruit trees planted in public spaces and cared for by volunteers. The funding will come from the 2026 local budget, with the possibility of attracting sponsorships and non-reimbursable funds,’ Laurentiu Stilpeanu conveyed.

In recent years, one of Buzau City Hall’s policies has focused on removing hedges, with local officials announcing, in 2023, their intention to cut down the wax cherry trees and mulberry trees across the city.