The Centre for Regional Geography (CGR) is a research unit within the Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, focused on complex research, namely fundamental research, applied research and delivery of services to the community, in the field of regional geography, and territorial arrangement and planning.
CGR was founded in 2003 and accredited by the National University Research Council (CNCSIS) in 2004. It was born from the need of institutionalizing a new research direction initiated by Professor Pompei Cocean at the Faculty of Geography, in 1997, when the Inter-County Spatial Plan – The Inter-County Contact Area of Cluj, Bihor, Bistriţa-Năsăud, Maramureş, Mureş, Satu Mare, Sălaj was won, an exceptional project in terms of theoretical, methodological and practical load. This was followed, in a logical connection, by other important projects and research grants that led to a real specialization in the field of spatial planning and in the elaboration of development strategies for all known regional taxa – region, county (zone), microregion, city or commune.
As a result, the programme of the centre aims at state-of-the-art regional approaches to assessing the natural and human potential of various geographical units and subunits, spatial planning, economic and social development strategies at regional, zonal, microregional, or local level, areas, poles and axes of spatial gravity, economic, social or infrastructural disparities, territorial cohesion, etc. A recent concern for a group of researchers at CGR is the issue of geographical mental spaces, where their contributions have already become significant.
Book Release
The Centre for Regional Geography in figures
Celebrating the 20th anniversary: 2003-2023
Latest Projects
2024-2026 Update of the Spatial Plan for Hunedoara County. Beneficiary: Hunedoara County Council. Prepared by: Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography. Project manager: Lecturer Sandu Ciprian Moldovan, PhD.
2024-2026 Development of the Spatial Plan for Argeș County. Beneficiary: Argeş County Council. Prepared by: Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography. Project manager: Lecturer Sandu Ciprian Moldovan, PhD.
2024-2026 Services for the preparation of substantiation studies – geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions, environmental protection, natural and anthropogenic risks, related to the 15 LAUs in Cluj County, in order to substantiate the update of the General Urban Plans - 4 lots. Beneficiary: Cluj County Council. Project manager: Titus-Cristian Man, PhD.
2024-2026 Services for the preparation of substantiation studies - technical and infrastructural equipment, related to some LAUs in Cluj County, in order to substantiate the update of the General Urban Plans - 4 lots. Beneficiary: Cluj County Council. Project manager: Lecturer Sandu Ciprian Moldovan, PhD.
2024-2026 Services for the preparation of socio-economic substantiation studies related to the 15 LAUs in Cluj County, in order to substantiate the update of the General Urban Plans - 4 lots. Beneficiary: Cluj County Council. Project manager: Lecturer Sandu Ciprian Moldovan, PhD.
2023-2026 Update of the Spatial Plan for Gorj County. Beneficiary: Gorj County Council. Prepared by: “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning, Bucharest (project leader) and Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography (associate). Coordinator of the UBB team of experts: Assoc. Prof. Iuliu Vescan, PhD.
2022-2025 Services for updating strategic support documents - The Spatial Plan for Maramureş County. Beneficiary: Maramureş County Council. Prepared by: S.C. Aedilis Proiect SRL Baia Mare (leader of association), Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography (associate). Coordinator of the UBB team of experts: Assoc. Prof. Iuliu Vescan, PhD.
2022 Services for local standardization in GIS format of urban plans and situation plans. Beneficiary: Cluj County Council. Project manager: Assoc. Prof. Titus-Cristian Man, PhD.
2021-2023 Creation of a spatial database of drone imagery and vector and 3D derivatives for the Commune of Aiton, Cluj County. Beneficiary: Mayoralty of Aiton (Cluj County). Project manager: Lecturer Gheorghe-Gavrilă Hognogi, PhD.
2019 Inventory, Assessment and Prioritization of Tourism Resources in the North-West Region. Beneficiary: North-West Regional Development Agency. Project manager: Prof. Pompei Cocean, PhD.
2018-2023 Development of the Spatial Plan for Sălaj County. Beneficiary: Sălaj County Council. Prepared by: “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning – Centre for Research, Design, Expertise and Consulting, S.C. Urban Team S.R.L., S.C. Quattro Design S.R.L., S.C. F&R Worldwide S.R.L., Babeş-Bolyai University – Faculty of Geography. Coordinator of the UBB team of experts: Prof. Pompei Cocean, PhD (2018-2021), Assoc. Prof. Sorin Filip, PhD (2021-2023).
