The Mamaia Constanța Destination Management Organization is carefully following the public debate generated by the temporary transformation of Tomis Boulevard in the municipality of Constanța into a pedestrian zone and believes that the opinions expressed by residents, business representatives, civic organizations and local authorities must be treated with balance, responsibility and openness.
The " Tomis pedestrian " concept can represent a real opportunity for revitalizing the center of Constanța, for increasing tourist attractiveness and for developing an urban area where promenade, gastronomy, culture and socializing contribute to an authentic experience . On weekends when road traffic is restricted, Tomis Boulevard is promoted by the municipality as a space for walks, meetings and outdoor activities.
OMD Mamaia Constanța defines the tourist circulation in this area of the city as the " TOMIS Urban Nucleus ", namely:
Capitol Intersection
Tomis Boulevard
Area of the Capitoline Wolf statue
Ovidiu Square
Casino Cliff
Tomis Tourist Port
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Stephen the Great Street.
In these perimeters delimited by these arteries, every year from May 1st to November 1st, for 6 months every weekend, various events take place. Now the pedestrian Tomis Boulevard is at an advantage! Those in the Tomis Tourist Port, being the last on this promenade, seem to be at a disadvantage. But things are dynamic and can change at any time.
At the same time, the information and opinions that have emerged in the public space regarding the initiation of the project by a private association, the extended schedule of restrictions and the possible economic advantages generated for certain commercial activities demonstrate the need for complete and transparent public communication. An initiative carried out in the public domain must be perceived and managed as a community project, not as an approach intended for a limited group of beneficiaries.
“ I support the principle of temporarily transforming central spaces into pedestrian areas, a practice successfully used in numerous urban destinations. The success of such a project is not measured only by the number of people present or the degree of occupancy of the terraces, but also by the quality of the experience offered, the diversity of activities, the accessibility of the public space, respect for residents and the integration of the project into a coherent strategy for tourism and urban development. In this regard, we consider it essential to publish the complete calendar of activities, clearly present the responsibilities of the organizers, ensure fair access for economic operators and local producers, as well as introduce a consistent cultural and artistic component. Tomis Boulevard does not need to become just an extension of the existing terraces, but a space representative of the identity of Constanța, open to culture, community, creativity and quality tourist experiences,” declares George Măndilă – President, OMD Mamaia Constanța.
What measures should be taken?
– Pedestrians should have adequate urban mobility measures at their disposal;
– Road signs should be installed in advance;
– Drivers transiting the area should be informed
– Alternative routes should be established
– Access to riverside residents should be protected
– The operation of public transport should not be hindered
– Identify parking solutions
– The project should not generate traffic jams, confusion or risks.
– The problems recently reported by traffic participants at the intersection of Mamaia Boulevard and Tomis Boulevard should be resolved by improving road traffic - canceling the "left" lane.
OMD Mamaia Constanța believes that a balance must be maintained between the activation of the city center and the residents' right to peace, access and safety. The program of events, the sound level, sanitation, the placement of furniture and the release of access routes must be regulated and monitored so that tourist and economic development is not carried out to the detriment of the quality of life of the residents. The dissatisfaction expressed in relation to the activities organized on the adjacent streets shows that the dialogue with the residents must be closely linked to the authorization of events with a significant impact on the area.
The current dispute should not be transformed into a confrontation between supporters of the event and those demanding solutions for traffic, parking and housing protection. The two perspectives are legitimate and can be harmonized through a transparent consultation process, but also through good organization.
Constanta and the most important commercial fords
Especially since, from a chronological point of view, the municipality of Constanța has several areas that can be called " commercial fords " of the city, namely:
The perimeter between the Capitoline Wolf Statue and Ovidiu Square inclusive
Tomis Tourist Port
Pedestrian Tomis Boulevard
Casino Cliff
Ștefan cel Mare Street (from the Hypogeum Tomb to the Pedestrian Passage)
Ștefan cel Mare Street (from the Pedestrian Passage to Atelierelor Street)
In this regard, we support the creation of an institutional dialogue between the City Hall of Constanța, local residents, business representatives, civic organizations, structures with responsibilities in the field of traffic and specialists in tourism and urban development. The objective must be to establish a unitary concept, clear rules and indicators through which the benefits, the impact on mobility and the degree of satisfaction of the community can be evaluated.
Tomis Boulevard can become a landmark of urban and tourist life in Constanța
At the same time, we take into account the legitimate interest of economic agents to benefit from spaces for the placement of terraces and the fact that activating the area can generate consumption, visibility and a greater flow of people. People attract people, and a lively urban space can support the development of local businesses. However, a realistic analysis is necessary: does the municipality of Constanța have a sufficient customer base to support, for five to six months, every weekend, all these commercial fords? In the absence of coherent programming, attractive events and a real diversification of the experience offered, there is a risk that the simple expansion of the terraces will not produce the estimated economic effects and will lead to an insufficient distribution of consumption among the operators in the area ( the cannibalization effect ).
For such a decision to be properly substantiated, it would be necessary to analyze several points of view and avoid extreme positions. Specific aspects, such as the level of music, the schedule of activities or traffic management on Saturdays and Sundays, can be regulated by clear measures, adapted to the realities of the area.
It is essential that all stakeholders — the Destination Management Organization, the City Hall of Constanța, economic agents, local residents, specialists and other relevant entities — participate in real public consultations and debates. Only through dialogue, transparency and a balanced assessment of the advantages and possible negative effects can the optimal solutions for the future of Tomis Boulevard and for the coherent development of the center of Constanța, along with the other commercial fords, be identified.
Last but not least, we are launching a debate with all stakeholders on how the Mamaia resort is or is not affected by these new commercial fords:
Do people from Constanta still go to the Mamaia resort?
Can tourists, alone, commercially support the Mamaia resort?
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