avril 2011

RED ALERT: Add another horror to the list of demolitions and potential destructions in Bucharest: Str. Vasile Alecsandri nr. 4 and Str. Povernei, two villas number 1-3 and 2, due to a dubious privatisation by the State of SC Proiect Bucuresti. As a result, V.Alecsandri 4, the most representative office building from the inter-war period (Neo-Romanian style) and formerly property of Reshitza Industries was demolished in 2009 and a couple of beautiful villas in a protected zone on Povernei could... [Lire la suite]

I just received this... more disrespect under the guise of modernisation, progress and worse still - ARCHITECTURE. This time in the beautiful city of Alba Iulia... Unbelievable... Please see the videos HERE, HERE and HERE which last a couple of minutes each. Even if you don't speak Roumanian, you'll get the picture... Apel catre intreaga comunitate a Arhitectilor din Romania Solicitam interventia comunitatii arhitectilor in oprirea catastrofei arhitectonice si culturale din cetatea Alba Iulia, loc de importanta deosebita pentru... [Lire la suite]

(Photo: Sorin Tanasie) Bravo!! Bravo!!! Loud cheers to the Paris Historique Association!!! This from today's Balkan Insight: EU Urged to Intervene to Save Romania's Heritage Petition asks European Union to get more closely involved in protecting Romania's ancient sites as mayor of Bucharest steps up plans to demolish more old buildings.Marian Chiriac, Bucharest Romanian heritage activists are urging the European Parliament to pass a law allowing it to intervene "if a member state, or a regional parliament or local authority"... [Lire la suite]

Yey! Bravo Nicusor Dan! This from France 24 published 14th April, and even a week later, it's great to read: Victory for activists fighting to save historic Bucharest A January 2011 view of old buildings that were to be demolished on Buzesti street in Bucharest to make place for a large boulevard. A Romanian court has declared illegal a document used as the basis for the demolition of historic buildings in Bucharest, a court said on Thursday. AFP - A Romanian court has declared illegal a document used as the basis for... [Lire la suite]

(Photo: Skyscraper City) More bad news....it's never ending, it would appear. The thumbs up has been given for another glass monstrosity to scar the skyline of Bucharest, signed by Bucharest's Chief Architect, Adrian Bold, at City Hall. The construction of the Ana Tower office building, to be located near the Crowne Plaza hotel on str Poligrafiei, is said to begin over the next 3-6 months, with an investment of approx 70 million euros, businessman George Copos told Mediafax.The 28-storey tower, with a 67,000m squared surface area is... [Lire la suite]

HURRAH! A response from the European Parliament to Anca Muller who sent a letter of petition re: the demolitions in Bucharest some time ago. As you will see if you click on the image (left), her letter has catalysed an investigation by the European Commission. This is marvellous news and just goes to show that there is help out there and people DO CARE what happens in Bucharest. Anca has been tireless in her e-mails, communiques and memos to the EUP, groups, ONGs etc and we should all be doing the same. Her indignance is palpable and... [Lire la suite]

(Photo left: Herastrau Lake) Another piece of news concerning the 'suspended' road...we'd already heard the rumours but seeing it in black and white makes it all the worse... Apparently, the overground road will pass underground - beneath some of Bucharest’s most important historic landmarks but also under several private properties en route to cut costs of expropriation, according to B365. Furthermore, the highway, officially named the 'Express Road', could well pass under Herastrau. Express Road...what a joke... bringing all this... [Lire la suite]

(Photo: Sorin Tanasie) The Bucharest Tribunal decided Tuesday that the PUZ North South Boulevard due to smash its way through Berzei-Buzesti and for which reason so much destruction has taken place, is ILLEGAL. Of course, we didnt need a court to tell us this but it's good to know that the justice system can awaken, stretch and kick into action from time to time. The Platforms for Bucharest will be giving a press release on Thursday 14th April at 13h: Calea Plevnei 98, Block 10c, Sector 1. It appears that the plans provided by City... [Lire la suite]

Great efficiency in Brigitte Bardot's office - here are the latest Roumanian reports on BB's letter to the deputies and the demonstrations taking place in Paris: Cotidianul, Apropo, Observator, Realitatea,    

These incredibly poignant images were captured today by Sorin Tanasie. As you can see, Oprescu and Co's monumental rubble and giant pebble-dash effect has really taken off in the Berzei-Buzesti area, and one can see a very convincing similarity with the architecture seen on the Gaza Strip and Kaboul... that war-zone look is really up and coming in Bucharest today. Check out the creative detail of demolished walls, caved-in rooves and destroyed corniches (whole houses, too). Mayor Oprescu shall indeed be remembered for his great and... [Lire la suite]