EU URBREATH project brings a revitalised riverside green space to a Cluj-Napoca estate

On Saturday, 19 September 2026, Cluj-Napoca City Hall opened a revitalised green space on the bank of the Someș on Strada Nădășel. The site is one of the spaces between apartment blocks revitalised under the European project URBREATH. The project uses nature-based solutions to turn such areas into places where neighbours meet.

What changed on Strada Nădășel

The City Hall planted trees and carried out minimally invasive works on the site. The new street furniture is made from recyclable materials. The space was designed not only for residents of the neighbourhood but also for their pets.

Bringing residents into the space

To “activate” the green space, the City Hall invited the community to a musical show for children. The show, “Capra cu trei iezi și prietenii”, featured musicians from the Young Famous Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Agachi. It also featured actors from the Ruslan Bârlea Theatre Company and young dancers from the Mugurelul Student Folk Ensemble of Babeș-Bolyai University. Directed by Ruslan Bârlea, it followed the classic story in a modern interpretation, combining theatre, music and dance. More than 100 children attended, together with family and friends.

Mayor Emil Boc said the city wants neighbourhood public spaces to be not only greener and better laid out, but also places where people meet.

The wider URBREATH plan

URBREATH aims to revitalise spaces between apartment blocks through nature-based solutions and interventions adapted to community needs. Its main goal is for neighbourhood green spaces to be more than places to relax: they should become points for meeting, play and socialising that encourage citizen involvement and strengthen community relations.

A second event under the project, “Toamna ne adună!” (“Autumn brings us together”), took place on Saturday, 3 October 2026, in the Timișului-Blajului area. It was organised by Urbannect in collaboration with the City Hall. It included painting and modelling workshops for children, a show for young audiences, and a corner for stories and ideas where participants could share suggestions on how they want their neighbourhood to look.