Vol. I, no. 2/2010

The paper is focused on CURS’ research experience developed in the DEMOS Project in order to identify and to describe profiles of the metropolitan areas in Romania. A metropolitan area is defined as an integrated unit in which the core city and the surrounding localities have direct, diverse and continuous interrelations as it is developing as a functional and systemic area. In the paper there are showed both some international significant experiences in the field (from USA, Canada, Europe – METREX) and from Romania. The proposal methodology we elaborated and pre-tested on Bucharest area is seen on a kind of standard methodology to be used as a framework in order to identify the metropolitan area borders and to describe the profile of this area. Thus the methodology should take into account four stages or steps. The first step is to survey the local authorities from the surrounding localities (as a survey frame or sample universe, including all localities within an established distance). The data for interrelation indicators such as population migration, community, space building under the influence of the core city, tourism potential etc. were collected from the local authorities. The second step is to analyze these data and to establish which localities should be included in the metropolitan area. An integration index was also built covering the values of the main indicators. The data were normalized to be compared and share ted so the final indexes or score showed the hierarchy of the integration of the surveyed localities. The most integrated localities are suggested to be incorporated in the metropolitan area. The third step is to assess the population support for the establishment of a metropolitan area. A representative survey at the level of the surrounding localities reported to be included in the metropolitan area is conducted. Here we are talking about the relations this population has with the core city, the perception of the advantages and disadvantages of the metropolitan area and their attitude, pros and cons the settling of a metropolitan area. The fourth step is about the establishment of an interdisciplinary team (with localities representatives, architects, economists, lawyers and sociologists) that will analyze the data and will design the new metropolitan area with borders, structure, objectives and own management.

The economic and social development process of the metropolitan areas needs to provide a balance between the existing resources and the way of planning these resources. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt some coherent and unitary programs for a balanced development of the entire area. A sustainable approach for the improvement of the quality of life in the metropolitan areas will require an action integrated on the economic and social level of the environment and of the space in order to bring an improvement of the welfare of the metropolitan areas. The present paper tries to look through some of the important aspects of the social and economic development from the metropolitan areas. The authors research these issues in the DEMOS project.

In the context of the intensification of economic competitiveness, depending both on the economic activities unfolded as well as on their territorial location, on the distribution and spatial relationships that these activities have with resources, on afferent workforce, on the equipment, services and sales markets, it is obvious that the urban strategy has to be directed towards the involvement of urban centers, of metropolitan areas in harnessing natural and cultural resources, thus constituting a hierarchical system of multi/zones of development by realizing competitive products and services. Having to consider all these, the intensification of the influence of the equipment and recreation areas system on the economic vitality of the metropolis, on the complexity and quality of the recreation services and equipments, enhance the reputation and image of a region and has positive effects on its attractiveness; at the same time, the recreation service system creates jobs, stimulates tourism and facilitates a series of advantages regarding the economic and social domains.

As a result of the urban and structural concentration of the suburbs, the cities expand and get involved in the increasing processes of the adjoining areas, creating socio-spatial societies called metropolitan areas or regions. The metropolitan area assumes the approach as a partnership system on long and medium development, focusing on the possibilities offers of living, which are necessary and relaxing for the population from the area, business opportunities, investments, arrangements for the academic and research institutions, solving the issues of the environment, attracting funds for an infrastructure etc., fundaments that allows a territorial development for more locations from the area and the immediate surroundings. According to the Urbanism Law 350 from 2001, annex II, the metropolitan territory is defined as the surface situated circa the first rang districts, including the places situated till 30 km distance, where the mutual relations of influence are created, in the field of the communication means, economy, social, cultural and town infrastructure. At the beginning of 2003, the Collaboration Agreement has been signed between the Council of the District Iasi, the Municipal Council and the Coordinators of the Program GRASP (Governance Reform and Sustainable Partnerships) regarding the approach of the development project of the metropolis. On 8th of April 2004, The Council of the District Iasi, the Municipal Council Iasi and the Municipal Councils of the 13 enclosed villages have signed the constitution act of the Metropolitan Area of Iasi and they have created the Metropolis Council of Iasi, founding the regional development. Therefore, the development of the area can be made by elaborating a proper plan of the metropolitan territory. Its purpose is to obtain a global frame and a unitary documentation regarding the possibilities of development – in the concept of a lasting development – of this territory in a district and national context.

The inter-community development area Alba Iulia is situated in the Central-Eastern part of the county Alba. The association with the same name was founded on June 27th 2007. In the analysed are one can find accommodation units and foodservice operators, treatment facilities and ways of entertainment which are not concentrated around a resort but are spread in an artificial form in the hotels with a high degree of comfort. The position of the town Alba Iulia is favourable in relation with the heritage values, creating premises for the development of the tourism. The municipality Alba Iulia shows a unique combination of competitive elements: history, architecture and environment. The vision of development in the period 2005-2020 is based on a historic basis related to the Roman times, refined by the German culture and having inestimable symbolic values, as the military fortress Vauban. In what the tourism possibilities from this area are concerned, there are some tracks which lead to the main tourism objectives or which lead to areas and landscape of an unimaginable beauty. We can also mention the fact tat due to the chalk and conglomerates composition of the mountains, some gorges have been formed which were already introduced in tourism circuits, the so called “Green Roads”. The Forestry Directorate Alba Iulia has initiated some tourism packages which it sells in the inter-community development area Alba Iulia, the accommodation is offered in its own welcoming units. One can also mention other sight in the surroundings of the town Alba Iulia, which can lead to the growth of the flow of tourists and implicitly to the development of the local economy as well as to some new tourism tracks and entertainment bases.