The “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași (TUIASI) has officially joined COST Action CA24134 – OBSERVISTA (Observatory for Interstitial Urban Landscapes), a newly funded European research network supported by the European Commission through the COST – European Cooperation in Science and Technology program.
OBSERVISTA connects academic institutions and specialists from over thirty countries, forming a diverse and interdisciplinary platform dedicated to the study of interstitial urban spaces, including terrain vague, residual zones, vacant land, and underused areas within cities.
An interdisciplinary approach to urban transformation
The project aims to analyze, map and develop governance and methodological frameworks that support the reintegration and sustainable transformation of these overlooked urban areas.
Its interdisciplinary focus integrates key fields such as:
- urban and spatial planning
- legal and regulatory frameworks
- public policy
- urban regeneration
- environmental sustainability
- community engagement
Through this approach, OBSERVISTA seeks to generate new perspectives on how cities can better utilize their hidden or neglected spaces.
TUIASI’s leadership roles within the project
TUIASI is represented at the highest level in the Action by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arch. Raluca Manoliu, who serves as:
- Management Committee (MC) Member for Romania
- Coordinator of Working Group 3 (WG3)
WG3 focuses on conducting a comparative analysis of legal and administrative frameworks governing interstitial urban spaces across Europe.
Additionally, Lect. Dr. Arch. Carmina Gheorghiță plays an essential role as:
- Co-leader of Working Group 4 (WG4)
WG4 addresses the strategic, policy, and implementation dimensions of urban regeneration and the governance of interstitial landscapes.
Both representatives contributed to shaping the project proposal submitted in Brussels, helping define its scientific direction and methodology—contributions that were instrumental to the project’s successful approval.
Benefits for TUIASI and the academic community
By joining OBSERVISTA, TUIASI significantly enhances its international profile and gains new opportunities for:
- cross-border academic collaborations
- staff and researcher mobility
- joint scientific publications
- interdisciplinary research directions
- student involvement in European activities and research projects
Participation in this COST Action reinforces TUIASI’s commitment to advancing research, innovation and international cooperation in the fields of architecture, urban planning and spatial governance.
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