Chișinău: Ceban defends record on infrastructure and city budget
Chişinău has undertaken extensive infrastructure rehabilitation over the last two years, including approximately 350 kilometres of roads and 400 kilometres of pavements that have been built or modernised.
The work has also seen over 100 apartment building courtyards repaired, and 53 access roads to schools and kindergartens were rebuilt.
The figures were presented in a biannual report on Saturday by Chişinău’s General Mayor, Ion Ceban.
Mr Ceban also announced investments in public transport, with the municipality purchasing 81 new trolleybuses in the last two years, part of a total of 367 trolleybuses and buses brought into service in recent years. Approximately 500 bus and trolleybus stops have been refurbished, and routes to the suburbs were expanded. In green areas, the mayor said that "around 40 parks and public squares have been rehabilitated," with the "Ştefan cel Mare şi Sfânt" Public Garden identified for the next phase.
The City Hall stated that around 380,000 people annually benefit from over 100 social services and programmes.
Discussing ongoing projects, Mr Ceban stated the municipality is managing 4.5 billion Moldovan lei (MDL) in investment projects using EU funds, including the expansion of Mircea cel Bătrân Boulevard, the construction of Mesager Street, the modernisation of Industrială Street, the thermal insulation of 50 kindergartens, and the rehabilitation of the Bâc River. "We are working on the hydraulic model, technical studies, and detailed projects," he specified regarding the interventions on the 7.6 kilometres of its course.
External Assessment
For an external assessment, the editorial team contacted urban planning specialist and former Deputy Mayor, Victor Chironda. He argues that despite the isolated investments, the city’s major, systemic issues remain unresolved.
"In six years in office, Ceban has not solved a single major problem in Chişinău," Mr Chironda stated. "Traffic jams, poor roads, lack of parking, and rubbish are exactly where they were in 2019. The budget doubled, thanks to state transfers, not exceptional management."
Mr Chironda explained that Chişinău’s budget has almost doubled since 2019 to 8.5 billion MDL, primarily due to state budget transfers increasing from 1.3% to over 50% of the municipal budget.
"The difference between a typical mayor and a good mayor is the ability to bring additional resources into the city, and this is where Chişinău is very weak," he stated. The City Hall has failed to secure additional European funds and prioritises high-visibility projects over long-term economic investment.
The City Architect, Vitalie Ţioc, also drew attention to the fragility of the urban heritage. "The historical zone requires a clear protection regime, otherwise it risks irreversible damage," he said.
Concluding his report, Mr Ceban said the administration would continue its projects regardless of the political context. "Chişinău changes through action, not words," he concluded. "There is much work to be done, and we will continue to do it."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
