The International Urban Greening Week (IUGW), hosted by the Romanian Center of Vocational Excellence in Urban Greening, brought together students and experts from across Europe to address urban greening challenges in Bucharest, Romania. Held from April 8th to 12th, this collaborative event provided participants from the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Finland with an opportunity to explore, analyse, and propose innovative solutions for enhancing urban green spaces.

Centred in Bucharest’s 6th district, the week-long programme featured guided tours, fieldwork, and workshops led by experts in urban planning, environmental design, and policy. Participants conducted detailed explorations of neighbourhoods like Drumul Taberei, known for its parks and green spaces, identifying challenges such as inefficient green space management, a lack of sustainable urban planning, and limited community involvement. These findings were enriched by insights from professionals like architects Alex Axinte and landscape designers Raluca Mihai and Mihai Culescu, as well as local residents.

A key highlight was the Innovation Camp, where participants collaborated in multinational teams to develop solutions. Through brainstorming and debate, they crafted proposals ranging from introducing green infrastructure projects to fostering greater community engagement in urban greening efforts. These solutions were presented at the week’s conclusion, sparking vibrant discussions about their potential impact on Bucharest’s urban environment.

IUGW not only highlighted the importance of green spaces in urban planning but also demonstrated the power of international collaboration in tackling environmental challenges. Participants left with a deeper understanding of urban greening and a commitment to applying their newfound knowledge to improve green spaces in their own communities. The event underscored Bucharest’s potential for sustainable urban development and the critical role of collective innovation.