PhD Research: Urban codes and the quality of urban life in Romanian cities
Working as an architect in Romanian cities made me realise how much more than just buildings affect people's lives in the city as a whole. I came to this realisation while conducting my PhD research. My research focused on how urban codes, particularly those that guide the urban form of housing areas, affect the quality of life in cities.
Through my work, I observed that current building trends in Romania heavily prioritise economic factors. The result is an increase in the prevalence of densely populated, mono-functional neighbourhoods. Although accommodating to real estate developers, these settings don't always meet the needs of the people who live there. Factors such as built density, accessibility to green space, mobility, and basic amenities all interact in complicated ways to impact quality of life, as my research has shown.
The urban form and the network of essential urban amenities were my primary areas of focus. This approach demonstrated the significance of connecting people's everyday needs, like access to green spaces and amenities, with more technical and economic elements of cities, like urban density. An additional takeaway from this study is the importance of active mobility in making neighbourhoods more pleasant places to live.
My research was published in 2023 by The "Ion Mincu" University Publishing House under the title Urban Codes and the Quality of Urban Life in Residential Areas in Romania. The aim of this book is to elevate these conversations about Romanian urbanism by highlighting the significance of creating cities that promote human flourishing just as much as economic efficiency.
[See also: Book: Urban codes and the quality of urban life in Romanian cities]
This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and I am excited to share these insights with a wider audience. Whether you're a researcher, practitioner, or someone simply interested in how urban spaces shape our lives, I hope this work sparks meaningful conversations about the future of our cities.
