D10.1 ClimaGen Cluj-Napoca City Report 1

Cluj-Napoca is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in Romania, facing increasing pressures related to urban expansion, land-use change, biodiversity loss and climate adaptation. As more residents seek housing opportunities outside the city, neighbouring communes are experiencing rapid transformation, creating new challenges for environmental protection, green infrastructure and the preservation of local identity.

Within ClimaGen, Cluj-Napoca addresses these challenges through the creation of the Cluj Rural–Urban Hub, a collaborative initiative linking the city with the neighbouring communes of Ciurila and Petreștii de Jos. By working simultaneously in urban, peri-urban and rural contexts, the project explores how nature-based solutions, community engagement and knowledge transfer can support more resilient and balanced territorial development while strengthening cooperation across administrative boundaries.

This report presents the baseline analysis, stakeholder engagement process, portfolio of nature-based solutions and capacity-building activities developed across the Rural–Urban Hub during the first phase of the project.

The primary intervention in Cluj-Napoca focuses on the Feroviarilor area, where the planting of approximately 1,200 trees and shrubs across an estimated 12,000 m² will contribute to improved microclimate regulation, biodiversity, stormwater infiltration and the overall quality of public space. In Ciurila, the proposed Sălicea Park (Hăgău) combines tree planting, shaded areas, permeable surfaces and stormwater management solutions to transform an underutilised peri-urban site into a multifunctional green and community space. In Petreștii de Jos, the project focuses on capacity building and knowledge transfer, supporting local stakeholders in preparing future greening initiatives, including a community garden linked to the local tourism centre and a green community hub in the village of Plaiuri.

Across the Rural–Urban Hub, the baseline green surface amounts to approximately 112,980 m². The proposed interventions are expected to generate an additional 12,000 m² of green space in the urban area and approximately 23,017 m² in peri-urban and rural locations. To assess progress and impact, the project has developed a monitoring framework combining environmental indicators (such as green surface, tree cover, soil permeability and stormwater management capacity) with social indicators related to public space usability, community engagement and replicability. Together, these provide a common framework for evaluating nature-based solutions across different territorial contexts while remaining aligned with the broader ClimaGen monitoring approach.