Diana Andreea Onose

Land use consequences of the evolution of cemeteries in the Bucharest Metropolitan Area

The uncontrolled development of built-up areas determines the inclusion of peripheral and ex-urban land uses inside the settlements. In the present study, we investigated the geographic differences in the rate of land conversion to cemetery areas, considered as peripheral areas, from the Bucharest Metropolitan Area. Using geospatial data about the cemeteries and their adjacent land uses, we evaluated the spatial changes of cemeteries at LAU2 (Local Administrative Units level 2) level (i.e. municipalities, cities, communes). Between 1975 and 2008, we observed an increase in the number of cemeteries with a surface area of 100.8 ha, mainly in areas with poor environmental quality in proximity of Bucharest city. Cemeteries tend to become common land uses within the built-up areas, occupying increasing surface areas (up to 3.5%), with important consequences, especially in areas close to Bucharest city. Cemeteries are a good example of peripheral land use, characterised by a permanent impact on human settlements. The inclusion of peripheral land uses inside the settlements promotes urban sprawl, favours inefficient strategic planning and generates new land use interactions. An increase in the management efficiency of peripheral land uses can alleviate negative interactions and favour sound planning options for the sustainability of settlements.

Using local knowledge and sustainable transport to promote a greener city: the case of Bucharest, Romania

Abstract Cities undergoing climate change and rapid urbanization are faced with significant transformational processes that affect the environment and society, challenging them to become more sustainable and resilient. The promotion of nature‐based solutions represents an efficient approach to meet sustainability targets in cities and improve the quality of life of citizens. The association of large components of green infrastructure, such as urban parks, with physical activity can counteract the sedentary lifestyle endemic to cities and improve the overall health and well‐being of individuals (Carrus et al., 2013; Scopelliti et al., 2016). By promoting a sustainable means of transport and connecting green spaces within a highly urbanized city, bicycle lanes represent an effective tool for associating physical activity with nature in cities allowing bicycle users to benefit from the positive health effects of nature‐based solutions. Our study focuses on the potential of bicycle lanes to improve functional connectivity among green spaces. We administered 820 questionnaires in 34 green spaces (i.e., urban parks) in Bucharest, Romania, to identify the factors influencing the use of bicycle lanes connecting urban parks and to understand which planning criteria for bicycle lanes are considered as the most important by park visitors. We applied binary and ordinal logistic regressions and found that the factors affecting bicycle lane use are illegally parked cars and lack of accessibility to urban parks. The criteria preferred by park visitors for bicycle lane planning are determined by experience level and frequency of bicycle use. To develop a functional and integrated bicycle lane network that can make cities healthier and more sustainable, policy makers are advised to engage in a public participatory process and focus on the needs of bicycle users. HighlightsBicycle lane use is affected by parked cars and low accessibility to green spaces.Criteria for developing bicycle lanes are determined by user experience and needs.Public participation should play a key role for planning new bicycle lanes connecting green parks.