A delegation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) was on a three-day fact-finding visit to Alba County, as its capital Alba Iulia was selected alongside cities from another five countries for a study dedicated to European cities with a population between 50,000 and 250,000 residents. The purpose of the project is to help leverage the potential of these cities in managing flows of people, goods, and information, connecting urban and rural areas, and contributing to a balanced population distribution.
According to a release by the Alba Iulia City Hall, the OECD delegation was on a "strategic visit" to Romania over June 2 - 6, "aimed at examining the role of intermediate cities in regional development and in strengthening urban-rural links. The visit was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, central and local public authorities, as well as other ministries involved. The visit had activities slated in Bucharest, Alba Iulia and Alba County, including working meetings, workshops with stakeholders, field visits and reflection sessions on current practices in the field of integrated territorial development."
In Alba Iulia, the OECD delegation participated in technical sessions on the city's strategic projects, as well as in a workshop with members of the civil society, local entrepreneurs, local producers, public institutions, representatives of the educational sector and volunteers. "Discussions looked at how the city acts as a polarizing center of services, innovation and regional coordination, for the benefit of neighboring rural areas," the cited source states.
The field visits included representative cultural and economic sites such as the Alba Carolina Fortress, Rosia Montana, the Transapuseana mountain road, local companies, educational initiatives and examples of inter-community cooperation in the Ciugud-Alba Iulia area, which provided "a concrete picture of how local projects support territorial cohesion and sustainability."
According to mayor Gabriel Plesa, "Alba Iulia has proven that a medium-sized city can become a catalyst for innovation, cooperation and territorial cohesion."
President of the Alba County Council Ion Dumitrel said that the OECD visit validates Alba County's efforts to build a balanced urban - rural development model.
Alba Iulia was selected by the OECD within the European initiative "Unlocking the Potential of Intermediary Cities for Regional Development" dedicated to European cities with a population between 50,000 and 250,000 inhabitants. Six countries participate in the study: Romania, France, Italy, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Germany.
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