Rebuilding Ungheni with European funds

The center of Ungheni municipality is being modernized thanks to the financial assistance of the European Union

August 19, 2021

The center of Ungheni municipality has turned into a huge construction site. Several infrastructure projects are being implemented in parallel in the city center with the financial assistance of the European Union. A total amount of €1,375,400 is invested under the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme, funded by the EU and implemented by the UNDP and UNICEF Moldova.

The Independence Square becomes pedestrian

The Independence Square, the place where most of the important events in the region are held, is being modernized and will become pedestrian. The total area of 4,082 m2 will be paved and equipped with modern urban furniture. Trees, bushes will be planted; a new system of general and decorative lighting, and benches with a custom design will be installed. A bicycle parking will be established and a mini service and repair station for bicycles, trolleys and scooters will be made available. The pedestrian fountain of 621 m2 - with light and music show - built in the Independence Square will become the main attraction.

"I am glad that the center of Ungheni municipality will become a friendly place for people, an attraction for both residents and visitors of Ungheni. We are grateful to the European Union, the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme for its support in the modernization of the Independence Square and the rehabilitation of the central street. Certainly, Ungheni will have a different face from now on thanks to this support, and the residents of Ungheni will have a new reason to be proud of. The current achievements in Ungheni are an eloquent example of fruitful cooperation with the European Union, our reliable partner,” said Alexandru Ambros, mayor of Ungheni.

Paved, illuminated streets marked with weather-resistant road markings

Another infrastructure project in full swing in Ungheni municipality is the rehabilitation of the National Street and creation of the adjacent parking. We would like to stress out that a new waterpipe with a length of 1,600 meters was built on this street in 2020 with financial assistance of the European Union within the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme. Once the underground works were finalized, the ground works such as asphalting of the National Street started. Thus, 21,280 m2 of streets and sidewalks will be paved, 3,292 meters of curbs will be installed, and 230 parking spaces will be created. A water drainage system will be built on the missing segments and the existing one will be repaired. New road markings will be made of a resistant thermoplastic material. 18 pedestrian crossings on the National Street will be illuminated to increase the visibility of road users and to reduce thus, the traffic accidents. Also, a green lawn will be planted on over 650 m2.

The National Street is the main street in Ungheni municipality and is one of the longest streets in the city. Most public institutions, organizations that provide services to citizens and most companies are located on this street.

The EU investment in these projects amounts to €1,168,546 Euro. The contribution of Ungheni City Hall and the UNDP - €116, 854 and €90,000 respectively.

"With the financial assistance of the European Union, we promote an extended modernization concept of administrative, historical and cultural center of Ungheni municipality. We aim at transforming the center of the focal region into a modern, multifunctional, people and environment-friendly space. New investments will help Ungheni municipality to develop and to become attractive to investors and tourists", says Alexandru Pelivan, Manager of EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme.

The reconstruction of Independence Square and renovation of road infrastructure on National Street are new activities to modernize the center of Ungheni municipality launched by the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme, with the financial assistance of the European Union. The modernization process is a participatory process when people come up with ideas to transform their city center. We underline that the reconstruction of the National Street (renovation of the aqueduct network, sidewalks; landscaping of green spaces, urban furniture, bicycle paths) and the transformation of Independence Square into a pedestrian area with elements of tourist attractions are among the top 3 modernization ideas of Ungheni municipality proposed and voted by residents of Ungheni in the “EU for Ungheni: Your idea for a European municipality” competition.

The “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme'' (2019-2024) supports smart, ecologic, inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in Cahul and Ungheni regions, to ensure a better quality of life for citizens. The Programme has a total budget of €23 million and is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).