116 – ET0011 – STUDIO 82 SRL
Autor principal / Main Author: Octav Silviu Olănescu, Anamaria Olănescu, Andrada Maier-Drăgan, Petrică Maier-Drăgan, Oana Antonia Filip
„ Acest proiect demonstrează o ușurință și o acceptare remarcabile în abordarea structurilor și condițiilor existente. Cerințele concursului – cum ar fi desigilarea suprafeței și îmbunătățirea calității spațiilor publice – sunt abordate cu simplitate și sunt integrate convingător în contextul urban, până în punctul în care propunerea poate fi percepută ca o continuare a structurii urbane existente.
Un element pozitiv este reproiectarea zonei „Trei Fântâni”, unde scara existentă este înlocuită cu o rampă generoasă, îmbunătățind accesibilitatea. Propunerea consolidează identitatea orașului Tulcea prin reproiectarea Pieței Mircea cel Bătrân ca element urban care respectă și continuă caracterul orașului. Reproiectarea creează mai multe spații de înaltă calitate în jurul pieței, oferind o experiență urbană rafinată.”– aprecierea Juriului
TULCEA URBAN CORE – FLUID MOSAIC OF CULTURE
The present proposal aims to express the city’s essence as a living mosaic, woven between water, cultures, and people. Fluid and intimate spaces shape a specific atmosphere of gradual discovery, where everyone can find a personal place. The strong identity of the central area is thus reinterpreted through an open, welcoming, and adaptable public space, organically connected to the Danube and to Tulcea’s multicultural spirit.
This concept unfolds and becomes tangible in the three main public spaces. Mircea cel Bătrân Square, as the civic heart, is reimagined as an open and active urban forum, a place for gathering, events, and civic life, emphasizing openness and community belonging. Unirii Street acts as a connecting spine, weaving together the civic square and the Danube waterfront through a sequence of fluid, shaded, and lively spaces that encourage movement, encounters, and gradual transitions. Finally, the Trei Fântâni Area represents the symbolic opening to the water, a green and contemplative area that reinforces the connection with the river, offering intimate corners, panoramic views, and immersive natural atmospheres.
Together, these three spaces shape a unified and flexible urban landscape, reflecting Tulcea’s layered identity and its unique relationship with water and cultural diversity.
By reactivating and connecting the main public spaces — Mircea cel Bătrân Square, Unirii Street, and the Trei Fântâni Area — the proposal transforms the city center into an open, welcoming civic heart and a shared space for all. The intervention restores the authentic character of the area by reopening visual and functional connections to the Danube, shaping a network of diverse, human-scale spaces that reflect Tulcea’s cultural mosaic and invite both collective gatherings and quiet, personal moments throughout the year.
The design creates smooth transitions, intimate resting spots, and generous civic platforms that support everyday life as well as larger public events, while respecting the historic memory and symbolic identity of the city. The landscape strategy is inspired by the spirit of the Danube Delta and local garden traditions, giving the space a strong ecological character and a distinct, inviting atmosphere.
Through this approach, the project renews the city center’s civic and social essence, offering a contemporary urban experience rooted in Tulcea’s identity and its enduring connection to water.
The public space of Tulcea carries a specific local character shaped by its historical streets, where fragments of intimate, shaded atmospheres still remain — small urban sequences that transport visitors into another world. Mircea cel Bătrân Square draws inspiration from these unique spaces, transforming them into a contemporary civic heart.
The square’s central area is defined by a representative rectangular shape, framed and structured by the careful arrangement of trees. These trees serve both as ecological anchors and spatial organizers, giving the square its strong, recognizable morphology. The heterogeneous structures of the surrounding neighborhoods are mediated through a series of smaller articulation spaces, evoking the identity of local historical courtyards and shaded pockets — intimate, cool retreats that recall the multicultural and multiethnic essence of Tulcea.
Around the central open forum, several personalized transitional spaces are created, each introducing a new scale of perception and interaction within the public realm. Their identity emerges from the relationship with adjacent neighborhoods and the subtle yet constant presence of water — expressed through open channels, fountains, water basins, and playful water features. These water elements reinforce the connection to the Danube and add sensory layers that enrich the everyday experience of the square.
The articulation spaces of Mircea cel Bătrân Square reinterpret the unique character of Tulcea’s public spaces, inspired by the intimate, shaded atmospheres of its historical streets and hidden courtyards — fragments that today survive only as fleeting sequences, carrying visitors into another world. Around the central rectangular civic core, these personalized transitional spaces redefine the perception and rhythm of the square, each offering a distinct identity anchored in local memory and the city’s deep connection to water.
Gateway of Perspectives, in the north-west, opens visual corridors from Unirii Street into the heart of the square. Here, three notable trees gently articulate the threshold, inviting people to discover and engage, while weaving the civic space into the urban fabric.
Children’s Grove, to the south-west, combines a playful, integrated design with an urban forest atmosphere. This space offers a vibrant, shaded retreat where children and families can explore, play, and reconnect with nature.
Echo Garden is a more intimate, contemplative space that preserves a zig-zag wall, a symbolic remnant from the socialist period, alongside a water basin and a characteristic fountain. Together, they evoke layers of collective memory while adding sound and movement through water.
Civic Forecourt, in front of the County Council, stands as a representative, open space emphasizing the institutional character of the building, welcoming gatherings and civic life.
Agora Fountain Court, in front of City Hall, acts as both an access point and a meeting place, featuring a new fountain and a slightly sunken rectangular seating area that invites pause and social interaction.
Diversity Glades, behind the Prefecture, create a sequence of small clearings defined by carefully grouped trees by species, symbolizing Tulcea’s multicultural and ethnic mosaic. This area recalls the popular, social atmosphere of the former central market and remains a lively, informal gathering zone.
Colonnade Memory Walk, at the northern entrance from Strada Babadag and the former central store, is framed by a double row of aligned trees suggesting a vegetal portico. This subtle gesture recalls the old bazaar’s portico columns, weaving memory into the spatial identity and marking a generous, inviting entrance.
Together, these spaces compose a layered, living mosaic that embodies Tulcea’s civic spirit, multicultural essence, and timeless relationship with water.
Unirii Street is reimagined as a continuous shared space, transforming its traditional street character into an elongated, piazza-like urban experience. The western edge, shaded and calm, becomes a shared zone with occasional vehicle access, while the eastern edge, defined by the ground-floor colonnade, invites terraces and pedestrian flows, creating an active, vibrant front.
At the center, a green bioswale strip planted with species typical of the Danube riverside and Delta landscapes reinforces the street’s connection to water, nature, and the city’s river identity. This green spine becomes both a visual and ecological link, guiding movement and suggesting a journey toward the Danube.
Hidden traces of the old demolished city survive subtly in the back passages between the blocks, where small-scale, atmospheric fragments remain: old pavements, low-scale buildings, and the layered charm of a once organic urban fabric abruptly interrupted by socialist interventions. Strada Progresului crosses Unirii Street, acting as a lateral connector to the historical area.
Three micro identity spaces punctuate the street:
- Civic Gateway, at the connection with Mircea cel Bătrân Square, frames a visual opening and creates a gentle transition into the civic heart of the city.
- Memory Fountain Corner, at the intersection with Strada Progresului, inspired by an interwar newspaper kiosk once located here. A fountain design revisits this motif, offering a moment of pause and inviting people to shift direction toward the intimate, historical core of Tulcea.
- Water Garden Threshold, at the southern end, where Unirii Street opens toward the Trei Fântâni Areaand ultimately to the Danube, marking the symbolic and physical connection to water.
Through this transformation, Unirii Street evolves into a layered, shared urban promenade, merging the memory of the old city with a new, inclusive, and dynamic public realm that celebrates Tulcea’s essence.
The Trei Fântâni Area is reimagined as a unified, continuous green space that gently ascends toward the flood protection level along the Danube. The previous fragmented system of steps and ramps is replaced with a single, soft, sloping surface, creating a more fluid and accessible landscape.
The original three fountains, once transformed into rigid rectangular shapes, are reinterpreted in their initial circular form, restoring the local identity rooted in the memory of “the three fountains.” This gesture simplifies the space, making it more coherent and less fragmented, while evoking a familiar collective image.
The park amplifies its openness toward the Danube through a subtle integrated path — the River Whisper Path — that discreetly follows traces of the old urban fabric, now vanished after socialist interventions.
On the western edge, the Community Clearing preserves and strengthens an already existing social identity deeply rooted in the collective memory of Tulcea’s inhabitants. This lively, informal zone supports urban games and spontaneous gatherings, encouraging daily social life.
The central linear space becomes the Fountain Axis, a symbolic journey that connects the city’s civic heart with the Danube waterfront, merging urban rhythms with the presence of water.
The main green core, the Delta Green Canopy, preserves and enhances mature vegetation, providing shade and comfort while reinforcing the ecological character of the park. The existing kiosk becomes a small landmark for community interaction and leisure.
Minimal interventions enlarge permeable surfaces and green areas, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Through this transformation, the park emerges as both a civic landscape and a gentle threshold to the river, where memory, nature, and social life coexist in a unified, open framework.
Together, these interventions shape Tulcea Urban Core into a fluid mosaic of cultures, nature, and civic life — a contemporary landscape deeply rooted in water, memory, and community. The project reconnects the city to its essence, offering an authentic, inclusive, and living urban experience for all.
LANDSCAPE CONCEPT
The vegetation concept is consistently integrated across all proposed public spaces, playing both an ecological and a spatially structuring role. It helps define and articulate the public realm by supporting paths, edges, landmarks, and thresholds. Inspired by the native flora of the Danube Delta and local garden traditions, vegetation shapes micro-atmospheres, enhances comfort, and strengthens the identity of each space, while promoting biodiversity and ecological resilience.
The vegetation management plan aims to ensure long-term ecological quality, aesthetic coherence, and functional adaptability of the green system across all spaces. It includes the preservation and reinforcement of mature existing trees, the introduction of native and adaptive species inspired by the Danube Delta, and the periodic renewal of low and medium vegetation layers to maintain diversity and resilience. Maintenance strategies focus on minimal intervention and naturalistic pruning, allowing vegetation to evolve dynamically and create rich seasonal experiences.
In addition, the plan prioritizes permeability and soil health, supporting rainwater infiltration and microclimate regulation. Educational and community engagement activities are also encouraged, strengthening the collective connection to green spaces and reinforcing a sense of shared responsibility.
Another conceptual layer is the sensory identity organization, which enriches the experience and anchors each space in Tulcea’s spirit. Mircea cel Bătrân Square is primarily defined by its strong visual identity — through open perspectives, framed views, and gradual spatial discoveries in the adjacent articulation zones. Unirii Street introduces an auditory identity, shaped by the soft rustling sounds of reed-like and Delta-specific vegetation proposed in the central green median, evoking the memory of the riverside landscape. The Trei Fântâni Area emphasizes a tactile dimension, with small sensory interventions and textures integrated into the Community Clearing area, inviting visitors to touch, feel, and interact at a human scale.
The material concept for paving establishes a unified yet diverse identity across the three main intervention areas. Macin quarry stone, cut into rectangular blocks and laid in parallel rows, is used to define the main surfaces of Mircea cel Bătrân Square, the three small plazas along Unirii Street, and the area marking the three fountains in the park. This material choice emphasizes local identity, creating a warm and robust ground plane.
Cubic stone paving is employed to ensure continuity across all spaces, providing connections to adjacent contexts and marking the open drainage channels that subtly guide rainwater.
River stones are used selectively, as accent elements within urban furniture zones, carefully integrated to avoid becoming obstacles to movement and accessibility.
In multifunctional and more intimate, atmospheric areas around Mircea cel Bătrân Square, a surface of stabilized fine gravel with sand is introduced, supporting a softer, more inviting sensory experience.
All paving solutions are designed to be permeable — either through open joints in stone areas or through the porous stabilized gravel layers — promoting natural infiltration and supporting the ecological character of the public realm.
To unify the intervention, the design introduces the motif of the reinterpreted fountain (cișmea) as a recurring identity marker throughout the project. Each fountain features a solid, monolithic base in simple, rounded forms, crafted from cast mosaic and complemented by discreet metallic elements. These fountains act as spatial landmarks, anchoring different zones while connecting them visually and functionally through gently sloping open drainage channels.
The mosaic composition integrates local, site-specific materials — river stones collected from the Danube and its Delta branches, crushed Măcin quarry stone fragments, and fine sands from the region — creating a subtle, tactile narrative that celebrates Tulcea’s geological and cultural layers. This approach not only reinforces a sense of place but also invites sensory engagement and strengthens the emotional connection between visitors and the public spaces.
The vegetation concept supports and amplifies the initial idea of creating distinct atmospheres for each space, shaping the perception at different scales — from large groupings to intimate corners and intermediate spatial structures. Vegetation is used both ecologically and compositionally, playing a crucial role in defining and articulating the overall design.
At a macro scale, clusters of mature and new trees establish strong green landmarks and provide shade and comfort, enhancing the civic and social character of the spaces. At intermediate and smaller scales, shrub layers, ornamental grasses, and reed-inspired plantings structure sub-spaces, create micro-atmospheres, and guide movement through gentle transitions.
The plant palette draws inspiration from the Danube Delta and local garden traditions, integrating native and adaptive species that promote biodiversity, support seasonal dynamics, and reinforce the unique identity of each space. In addition to their ecological benefits, these plantings contribute to stormwater management, improve soil permeability, and strengthen the connection between people and nature.
Through this layered approach, vegetation becomes a living framework that not only supports the architectural and urban design language but also enriches sensory experiences and sustains the emotional connection to Tulcea’s landscape.
In Mircea cel Bătrân Square, the perimeter vegetation frames and defines the strong rectangular shape of the civic space. The chosen species, Fraxinus oxycarpa (narrow-leaved ash), is selected for its elegant structure, light canopy, and seasonal dynamics, providing a soft shade that supports openness and civic gatherings without visually obstructing the space. The same species also shapes the Colonnade Memory Walk, symbolically recalling the old bazaar colonnades and creating a rhythmic, vertical green structure along the northern edge.
The statue of Mircea cel Bătrân is placed as a strong background anchor, oriented toward the Danube, with a large open esplanade in front, reinforcing its symbolic role.
In the Diversity Glades behind the Prefecture, tree species are grouped into distinct front-like arrangements, each representing a different cultural and ecological layer.
- Prunus padus (bird cherry) is chosen for its delicate spring flowers and strong local garden associations, evoking community and rebirth.
- Betula pendula (silver birch) symbolizes resilience and lightness, introducing a dynamic visual texture and seasonal change.
- Tilia tomentosa (silver linden) represents community, generosity, and gathering under its dense, fragrant canopy.
- Ulmus minor (field elm) is selected for its robust form and historical presence in regional landscapes, evoking continuity and stability.
- Quercus robur (pedunculate oak) symbolizes strength and endurance, anchoring the space in a timeless local narrative.
These groupings create a mosaic of green frontiers that symbolize diversity, coexistence, and the meeting point of different cultures and identities.
In the Agora Fountain Court (City Hall front area), Ulmus minor is chosen to reinforce the representative, formal character of the space, while still providing a welcoming canopy.
In Children’s Grove, trees are arranged more organically and playfully, echoing the spirit of discovery and freedom. Here, the loose, natural composition encourages movement and interaction, supporting the playful character of this zone.
Overall, the vegetation composition articulates different atmospheres and scales, strengthens the spatial identity, and supports the symbolic narrative of Tulcea as a layered, inclusive city.
As accent trees in the articulation zone between Mircea cel Bătrân Square and Unirii Street, three Acer platanoides (Norway maples) have been planted. These trees provide a strong vertical landmark and seasonal color dynamics, marking the transition and inviting movement between spaces.
Along Unirii Street, the tree alignments continue with Fraxinus oxycarpa to ensure visual and spatial continuity with the square. The alignments are slightly shifted compared to the strict rectangular geometry of the square, following the street’s specific spatial rhythm and creating a more fluid, organic edge.
The intersection points, especially the ends and the central crossing with Progresului Street, are highlighted by Populus alba (white poplar). This species is chosen for its symbolic connection to the Danube and the Delta landscape, evoking lightness, shimmering foliage, and a strong water-related identity.
In the Trei Fântâni Area, the tree structure is continued with a single alignment of Fraxinus oxycarpa, ensuring coherence and a unified identity with the adjacent urban spaces. The existing valuable vegetation is preserved as an essential part of the park’s character and atmosphere, maintaining mature shade and ecological continuity. Where necessary, complementary plantings are introduced to strengthen the green framework, support biodiversity, and enhance the spatial experience.
SURFACE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
The rainwater management strategy in Mircea cel Bătrân Square integrates three main raingarden/bioswale zones that collect and filter runoff from adjacent paved surfaces. A large central fountain area with shallow water mirrors provides cooling, comfort, and an urban microclimate effect, while also symbolically connecting to the city’s relationship with water. The various areas of the square are additionally marked and activated by the family of reinterpreted fountains (cișmele), emphasizing local identity.
Excess rainwater that does not infiltrate directly is guided toward the bioswales, from where surplus water is conveyed to the larger bioswale planted median along Unirii Street. At the lower end, near the intersection with the Trei Fântâni Area, the system reaches a collection point (local topographic minimum), where water is finally directed into the existing underground sewer network and then into the Danube.
The integrated SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) approach combines permeable paving, open surface channels (rigole), distributed bioswales with overflow safety systems, and planted filtration areas throughout the intervention. Additionally, retention tree pits, vegetated edges, and small infiltration gardens are used to slow, filter, and temporarily store rainwater.
The engineering of this system mimics natural ecological processes, creating a landscape that behaves like a living sponge. Local materials, native vegetation inspired by the Danube and Delta ecosystems, and visible water pathways all contribute to an identity-driven, climate-resilient urban environment. This approach not only reduces pressure on the existing drainage infrastructure but also strengthens the sensory and ecological character of each space, reinforcing Tulcea’s unique connection to water.
SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPT
The sustainability concept of the initial investment focuses on ensuring long-term resilience, ecological integration, and social relevance. Local materials such as Măcin quarry stone, river stones, and permeable paving solutions reduce transport impact, support local economies, and guarantee high durability with minimal maintenance needs.
Flexible and adaptable public spaces allow for a wide range of uses — from everyday informal activities to large civic events — minimizing the need for future costly adaptations. The modular design of paving patterns and semi-permanent urban furniture ensures easy adjustments over time without disrupting the overall identity.
Ecological strategies, including integrated SuDS systems and the use of native, climate-resilient vegetation, reduce water consumption and promote natural infiltration. Existing mature trees are preserved and reinforced, while new plantings are carefully selected to withstand local climate conditions and support biodiversity.
Robust material choices, anti-vandal design solutions, and well-structured planting plans significantly lower maintenance costs in the long run.
At a social level, the project strengthens the community’s connection to public space by embedding cultural references and local identity elements from the very beginning, fostering collective care and long-term stewardship.
Through this comprehensive approach, the investment not only delivers immediate functional and aesthetic value but also ensures an authentic, sustainable, and adaptable urban landscape rooted in Tulcea’s unique spirit.
The sustainability concept of the investment is structured to ensure long-term resilience, efficient administration, and the capacity to evolve over time.
For the initial phase, the use of local materials — such as Măcin quarry stone, river stones, and permeable paving systems — reduces environmental impact, supports local craftsmanship, and ensures high durability with minimal maintenance needs. Robust construction details, anti-vandal design elements, and modular furniture contribute to lower operational costs and a long service life.
In terms of administration, the project prioritizes minimal and adaptive maintenance strategies. Native and climate-resilient vegetation requires limited irrigation and naturalistic pruning, while integrated SuDS systems efficiently manage rainwater, reduce pressure on sewer networks, and support microclimate regulation. Flexible spatial layouts allow for seasonal adjustments and different community uses without significant structural changes.
Over time, the design is conceived to naturally adapt and grow with the community. The modular and permeable surfaces can be easily repaired or upgraded, while the vegetation structure can mature and evolve, reinforcing ecological value and spatial identity. Cultural and social interventions — such as community-led planting, temporary art installations, and small-scale events — are encouraged to maintain a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere.
Through this layered approach, the investment becomes not only a durable and cost-efficient intervention but also a living framework capable of evolving with Tulcea’s needs, reflecting its identity, and fostering long-term community stewardship.
