London-based firm Foster + Partners has created a masterplan for a 93-acre site at the heart of Constanța, the historic Black Sea port city in Romania’s Dobrogea region. Working with local stakeholders and IULIUS, a real estate developer experienced in mixed-use urban regeneration, the architects have reimagined a former industrial area as a vibrant, mixed-use district: a “city within a city” that blends cultural and educational facilities with retail, entertainment, sports and leisure amenities, plus extensive green public parks and botanical gardens.
The design repurposes many of the site’s existing industrial elements while introducing new public spaces that stitch into the surrounding urban fabric. According to Stefan Behling, head of studio at Foster + Partners, the project is “a unique opportunity for Constanța to create a new destination which stitches together the urban landscape and transforms the experience of the city.” The masterplan weaves greenery throughout the site via interconnected parks, gardens and active community spaces that celebrate and reinforce the city’s historic character.
© Foster + Partners
Strategically sited in central Constanța, the masterplan is intended to have a positive influence beyond its boundaries by reconnecting neighborhoods, improving mobility and supporting year-round activity. The mixed-use approach aims to smooth seasonal visitor swings by offering a broad program of uses and attractions for both residents and international visitors throughout the year.
Landscape and ecology are central to the proposal. Planting strategies draw on the local environmental context and incorporate hundreds of mature trees to deliver climate and wellbeing benefits. Several existing industrial structures—most notably the silos—are retained and converted into theaters, pavilions and community venues, giving the masterplan a strong link to the site’s past while providing new cultural uses.
New green pathways and dedicated bike lanes along the site edges improve connectivity and encourage sustainable transport, helping to reconnect disparate parts of the city. Public squares and courtyards are positioned as community hubs, while quieter garden spaces offer places for relaxation and informal gatherings.
© Foster + Partners
“Capturing the essence of the Black Sea, the regeneration embraces natural elements and landscape,” said Daniel Zielinski, senior partner at Foster + Partners. “The proposal is deeply anchored in the city’s rich history, from its Greek and Roman origins to its more recent industrial heritage.” The design therefore aims to balance heritage conservation with contemporary urban living.
Constanța’s coastal appeal has long made it a popular destination. During Romania’s Communist era the Black Sea coast was one of the few permitted vacation areas, shaping generations’ memories of the region. Today, the coastline remains an important draw for both locals and visitors. Residents hope the new masterplan will spark the long-awaited revitalization of the city center, delivering a year-round destination that strengthens community life, supports local economies and reconnects Constanța to its maritime identity.