METREX Autumn Conference
23-25 October 2024 , Bucharest
Unlocking the metropolitan potential: the benefits of territorial partnerships
Post-Manifesto Actions
Following the launch of our manifesto, we continue to strengthen our preparedness by:
1. Developing Approaches to Urgent Planning Issues; Enhancing our fundamental professional capabilities to tackle pressing spatial planning challenges.
2. Organisational Adaptation; Becoming more agile, efficient, and accessible in our organizational structure.
3. Forging a Metropolitan Future for Europe; Encouraging active participation in shaping a future-oriented metropolitan vision for Europe.
Building on the richness of the exchanges at the Spring Conference in Brussels in May 2024 (a detailed report will be soon available here), the Program of Bucharest Autumn Conference aims to integrate several key components to support our members in building a robust organizational framework unlocking the metropolitan potential and make it land on the ground.
The Program in a nutshell
1. Introduction to the Romanian Context: Understanding regional specifics and contextual challenges.
2. Thematic and Parallel Workshop Sessions: Offering opportunities for learning, mirroring, and reflection on strategies to address spatial planning issues.
3. Strategic Integration: Combining these elements to ensure we are not only prepared for the future but also proactive in shaping new policy statements towards EU institutions.
4. Practical Exercises: Engaging in exercises on decision-making under constraints of limited land and financial resources.
The event’s outcomes will serve as a first step towards a new proposal to Members of the European Parliament in Spring 2025.
Student Participation
Students are invited to join the overall conference program, providing them with a unique learning experience. They will receive an assignment to be presented and discussed at the 2025 Spring Conference, fostering engagement and fresh perspectives in metropolitan planning.
We look forward to seeing you in Bucharest in what promises to be a proactive and collaborative event addressing the challenges ahead and shaping a sustainable metropolitan future for Europe!
Venue: ARCUB Gabroveni, Strada Lipscani 84 – 90, București 030037
09:00-12:30 Expert Groups
11:30-12:30 Registration enjoying a light lunch (optional)
13:00-13:10 Welcome
with Henk Bouwman, METREX Secretary General
13:10-15:00 The Metropolitan dimension in Romania
Moderator: Bogdan Suditu, ADIZMB
with:
Federation of Metropolitan associations
University of Architecture
Ministry of Development
Ministry of European Funds
15:00-16:00 Make a bridge towards the next day’s sessions
Introduction by moderators from the 4 workshop sessions
16:00-16:30 break / preparing for transfer
17:00-18:00 Tour to the Palace of Parliament (upon registration)
19:00-22:30 Dinner at Le Dôme restaurant
Venue: Strada Ion Ghica 4, București 030044
*Note to the reader:
This is a provisional programme and may be subject to changes according to speakers’ availability
Venue: ARCUB Gabroveni, Strada Lipscani 84 – 90, București 030037
08:30-09:00 Registrations
09:00-09:10 Opening and Welcome
Setting: main room
with Jakub Mazur, METREX President
and Representative of ILFOV County
09:15-11:00 Parallel Workshops
Setting: 4 different rooms
Workshop 1: Bankability of Green Policies
The bankability of green policies in Europe is enhanced by a strong regulatory framework, innovative financial instruments, and growing market maturity. However, challenges remain, particularly in emerging sectors and regions, requiring continued effort to create an enabling environment for sustainable investment. The success of Europe’s green transition will depend on the ability to mobilize private capital on a scale, which in turn hinges on the continued development of bankable green projects.
Moderator: Filipe Ferreira, metropolitan secretary, Lisbon Metropolitan Area, PT
Workshop 2: Mobility: strengthen metropolitan cooperation
Strengthening metropolitan collaboration in mobility is essential for building more sustainable, efficient, and equitable transportation systems. It requires a concerted effort to align policies, share resources, and engage stakeholders across municipal boundaries. By working together, metropolitan areas can better address the challenges of modern mobility and enhance the overall well-being of their residents.
Moderator: Sandeep Shingadia, METREX Vice-president and Director of Strategic Partnerships and Delivery Integration, Transport for West Midlands, UK
Workshop 3: No New Land Take
Achieving net-zero land take in metropolitan regions is a complex but essential goal for sustainable urban development. It requires a multi-faceted approach that includes land recycling, compact urban development, smart zoning, and active community engagement. While challenges remain, the long-term benefits of protecting natural and agricultural lands, promoting sustainable growth, and enhancing urban liveability make the pursuit of net zero land take a critical objective for metropolitan planners and policymakers.
Moderator: Alfredo Corbalan, perspective.brussels, Brussels Planning Agency,BE
Workshop 4 : Metropolitan Economic Development
Boosting metropolitan economic development requires a strategic approach that leverages the unique strengths of metropolitan areas while addressing their specific challenges. Metropolitan regions are often economic powerhouses, but they also face complex issues such as inequality, infrastructure strain, and environmental concerns. To promote sustained economic growth, a combination of policy interventions, investment in infrastructure, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusive growth is essential.
Moderator: Gratian Mihailescu, UrbanizedHub, RO
11:00-11:30 break
11:30-13:00 Members’ Survey
Setting: main room
Where do we stand? What do we need to know more?
Output from the survey and discussion
Moderator: Henk Bouwman, METREX Secretary General
with Ioana Ivanov, BS Fellowship
and Mariana Faver, Province South-Holland
13:00-14:00 Lunch break
14:00-16:30 General Future of Europe
Introduction to foresighting and Workshop sessions
Moderator:Łukasz Medeksza, Deputy Director of the Strategy and City Development Department Municipality of Wrocław, PL & Sébastien Rolland, Urbalyon, FR
METREX 2049 purpose
- Manifesto + foresighting > towards a metropolitan strategy for Europe.
What, why and how do we do it? - Foresight survey among METREX members – main outputs
Roundtable
What is foresight about? What are the current trend in foresighting? What are the most common outcomes?
Wroclaw and Lyon Scenarios’ presentations
Workshop
Prospect’Us game, outputs and exchanges
16:30-19:30 Tour around the AO highway system
Exploring the metropolitan territory (by bus)
19:00-22:30 Conference Dinner at The Club of Diplomats
Venue: Șos. București-Ploiești, București
*Note to the reader:
This is a provisional programme and may be subject to changes according to speakers’ availability
Venue: ARCUB Gabroveni, Strada Lipscani 84 – 90, București 030037
09:00-10:00 Wrap up and conclusions
Setting: main room
Moderator: Henk Bouwman, METREX Secretary General
Key messages from the Thursday workshops’ rapporteurs that should feed into a European Metropolitan Agenda
10:00-11:00 Political exchange
Setting: main room
Moderator: Xavi Tiana, AMBarcelona, ES
MEPs and Local government Representatives are invited to join this conclusive last day sessions
11:00-12:00 Final Keynote by
Setting: main room
Corina Cretu, former EU Commissioner, RO
12:00-12:05 Conference close
*Note to the reader:
This is a provisional programme and may be subject to changes according to speakers’ availability
Visit to the Palace of the Parliament
Date: 23 October
Point of departure: conference venue, ARCUB Gabroveni, Strada Lipscani 84 – 90, București 030037
Time of departure: 16:30 (local time)
Palatul Parlamentului (The Palace of the Parliament) in Bucharest is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the world. It is the heaviest building globally and the second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon. Constructed during Nicolae Ceaușescu’s regime, it was intended to be a symbol of Romania’s power and grandeur. The palace has over 1,100 rooms, including vast halls, conference rooms, and offices. Today, it houses the Romanian Parliament, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, and serves as a major tourist attraction.
Practical info
The tour starts at 17:00 and lasts 1 hour.
You can enter based on a valid ID ( B.I., C.I., or passport).
Access is 15 minutes before the start of the sightseeing tour.
For security reasons:
> there is no luggage storage and no wardrobe space
> luggage must not be left unattended.
Directions to and from the three hotels proposed in the short list
Arriving & leaving – Hilton Garden Inn;
Arriving & leaving – Moxy Old Town;
Arriving & leaving – Union Plaza Hotel.
Web-based Interactive Map with the most relevant POIs for the Conference
For the Map click the following link : METREX Conference in Bucharest, 2024
Accommodation
You will find below a short list with discounted prices and an extra list of nearby hotels(ordered by number of stars and proximity to the conference venue). If you want to see the full document click here: Metrex Bucharest_List of Hotel Options.
Short list of recommended Hotels:
You will find below a short list of hotels that hold reservations for the METREX – Bucharest Conference guests, at discounted rates:
Hilton Garden Inn (4* Hotel)
The hotel is very close to the main conference venue (400 m or 5 minutes walk – via Google Maps). It is also located right in „the old town”, very close to plenty of touristic landmarks and entertainment opportunities. If you still have the energy, after a busy conference day.
To book a room, you can make the reservation through their proprietary website, for the discounted group rate.
- Reservation period: Tuesday – Friday (Oct. 22nd – 25th, 2024);
- Last day to book: Monday, Oct. 7th, 2024;
- Cancellation policy: free cancellation before Tuesday, Oct. 15th, 2024, 11:59 PM (local hotel time);
- Price: starting from € 211.00 / night;
- Breakfast:
Moxy Bucharest Old Town (3* Hotel)
The hotel is very close to the main conference venue (350 m or 4 minutes walk – via Google Maps). It is also located right in „the old town”, very close to plenty of touristic landmarks and entertainment opportunities. If you still have the energy, after a busy conference day.
To book a room, you can make the reservation through their proprietary website, for the discounted group rate.
- Reservation period: Tuesday – Friday (Oct. 22nd – 25th, 2024);
- Last day to book: Saturday, Sept 21st, 2024;
- Cancellation policy: free cancelation until 72 hours before arrival;
- Price: starting from € 119.00 / night;
- Breakfast:
Union Plaza Hotel (4* Hotel)
This hotel is a bit further away from the main conference venue (1,6 km or 23 minutes walk – via Google Maps). But it is also comfortably removed from the busy night life in „the old town”. Best for light sleepers in search of a good night’s rest after a busy conference day.
To book a room, you can use the promo code: Metrex24 and make the reservation through their proprietary website, the discounted group rate.
- Reservation period: Tuesday – Friday (Oct. 22nd – 25th, 2024);
- Last day to book: anytime, depending on available rooms;
- Cancellation policy: non refundable;
- Price: starting from € 110.00 / night;
- Breakfast:
More Hotel Options :
If the short list of hotels does not meet your needs, there is a wide variety of hotels to chose from. Here are some hotels you might like, that are also located within short walking distance from the main conference venue:
5* Hotels: The Marmorosch, Grand Hotel, Hotel Casa Capșa, Grand Hotel Continental;
4* Hotels: Europa Royale, Concorde, La Boheme Hotel, Old Town Hotel, Hotel Capitol, Novotel City Center;
3* Hotels: Rembrandt Hotel, Stil Old Town, Hotel Liad.
