Reasons and Premises for the Shrinkage in Timisoara

Abstract

Timisoara is nowadays the second city of Romania, an important economical, social and cultural urban centre. Until 1990, the city had a relatively continuous growing, natural at the beginning of the 19th century, but artificially accelerated during the communist period. After the political change, the city has started a natural process of reconfiguration, similar with the national and euro-regional trends. In this context, the relation centre-periphery into the urban space involves a renegotiation for its new equilibrium. This article is based on the partial result of the project FP7 no.225193 ShrinkSmart - The Governance of the Shrinkage into the European Context, financed by European Commission. West University of Timisoara is partner into the consortium of this project (http://www.shrinksmart.ufz.de/). [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Headnote

Abstract:

Timisoara is nowadays the second city of Romania, an important economical, social and cultural urban centre. Until 1990, the city had a relatively continuous growing, natural at the beginning of the 19th century, but artificially accelerated during the communist period. After the political change, the city has started a natural process of reconfiguration, similar with the national and euro-regional trends. In this context, the relation centre-periphery into the urban space involves a renegotiation for its new equilibrium.

This article is based on the partial result of the project FP7 no.225193 ShrinkSmart - The Governance of the Shrinkage into the European Context, financed by European Commission. West University of Timisoara is partner into the consortium of this project (http://www.shrinksmart.ufz.de/).

Keywords: Shrinkage, Urbanisation, Industrialisation, Migration

Introduction

Timisoara is nowadays the second city of Romania, an important economical, social and cultural urban centre. Until 1990, the city had a relatively continuous growing, natural at the beginning of the 19th century, but artificially accelerated during the communist period. After the political change, the city has started a natural process of reconfiguration, similar with the national and euro-regional trends. In this context, the relation centre-periphery into the urban space involves a renegotiation for its new equilibrium.

This presentation is based on the partial result of the project FP7 no. 225193 ShrinkSmart - The Governance of the Shrinkage into the European Context, financed by European Commission. West University of Timisoara is partner into the consortium of this project (http://www.shrinksmart.ufz.de/).

Reasons and premises

Over the time, Timisoara has known a constant urban development, acquiring quickly and easily all Central European trends and standards (before the communist regime Timisoara was named "Little Vienna"). Following the NUTS 2 standard, Timisoara belongs to the region RO42 Vest and it is the seat of Timis County2. From the point of view of its administrative organization, the Timis County has two cities (Timisoara and Lugoj), eight towns, 85 communes, and 313 villages. Structurally, according to the Population Census of March 18, 2002, 60.72% of the total population of the Timis County lives in an urban environment whereas the rest of 39.7% resides in the countryside. The average density of the population in Timis County (76 inhabitant/sq.km in 2002), as well as in the Western Region of Romania, has registered a slight decline in relation to the national average.

To talk about the shrinkage in Timisoara of 2009 is quite difficult, because the general previews have positive and optimist trends. The entire region RO42 has a well-developed profile and Timisoara is the growing centre of this area. The public administration working to the strategy for the metropolitan area of Timisoara and the idea of shrinking are completely missing from the public discourse. Despite this, the statistical fact is eloquent: during the last two decades Timisoara has lost 14% of its population.

Demographics (population development and migration)

Under the positive demographical policy imposed by the communist regime, the population of Timisoara has reached a peak in 1990 with 351,293 persons. The starting point of the population's growing (at the national level) can be considerate the Decree No. 770/1966 through which Nicolae Ceausescu has forbidden the aborts. It was estimated that around 2 millions of children were "helped" to be born at the national level, in only 2 years3. Due to the implementation of this law, the population of Timisoara has known the highest rate of growing, as is represented. This abusive act together with other measures (various economical advantages for the families with 3 or more children) has improved the birth rate during the 70ies and 80ies. The political pressure to increase the population volume was so high that in 1989 the official discourses celebrated the number of 23 millions of Romanian (even this level was contested by some demographers).

By other hand, after the Second World War the Timisoara's native population (with a large German community) has suffered much political oppressions, such as forced deportations in working camps from USSR, in the Baragan champ (in South-East part of Romania) or in o ther forced working camps from Romania (such "The Danube-Black See Channel"). In the effort to eradicate the occidental mentality of the city, there were generated massive waves of migration towards Timisoara, from rural areas and from other parts of Romania (especially from Moldova). It is estimated that, today, here are less than 1/3 families with more than 3 generations born in Timisoara.

Complementary, the external migration was strictly controlled and generally prohibited. It was more and more difficult to cross Romania's boundaries, even as tourists. The entire country has become a ghetto, with deep, fundamental, structural and harmful insertions of the state in the private life, with fewer options and alternatives to cross the pattern.

And at last, but not at least, a massive action plans regarding the control of population growing, configuration and structure was implemented in Romania. In the last years of communism, one of the main targets, in order to develop a full operational planned agriculture, was to demolish the villages (and to force the movement of rural population in the urban space). This process has represented a second stage of urbanization, after the period of the 70ies when the entire urban space was forced to artificially grow. Thus, in 1956 in Romania it was 84.4% rural population and in 1977 only 53.9% (practically, in 20 years, almost 30.5% of Romanian population was forced to move from rural to urban areas)4. Various studies emphasise that the urbanization process in Romania was mainly generated by the industrialization and by the cooperativization of the agriculture from the period 1949-1962. Thus, a longitudinal research about the migration of the working force from agriculture (Sandu, 1977, p. 110) shows the following evolution:

Thus, the collapse of the totalitarian regime and the rediscovery of freedom have generated a massive wave of changes in the population structure and profile. After all, the restrictions and prohibitions, the Romanian society tries to recovery from a long series of gaps. Parts of them (such birth control or in/out-migration) were quickly solved, but others (such as the rural mentality from the urban space) remain a present problem. During the first decade of democracy, Timisoara has kept the general trend recorded at the national level of demographical decreasing generated, especially, by the liberalization of the aborts, the possibility of family planning, and the possibility of the out-migration.

Economic development

At the end of the 19th century Timisoara became a developed industrial city with more than 60 fabrics (on various domains) and 1200 stores5 that reflects a quick commercial and industrial progress. During the interwar period Timisoara restarted the growing trend after the difficulties from the beginning of the 20th century. A natural, consistent and sustainable economical development assured a valuable progress for the entire life of the city. This very favourable situation was cancelled by the instauration of the communist regime that has started by the nationalization of the any private property (fabrics, houses, buildings, land etc.), by the inhibition of the any local civic responses. During the period between the 60ies and the 70ies, Romania has known a massive process of industrialization and urbanization. Without any scientific or strategic approach, the political goals were to achieve, through an empirical manner, with any costs and sacrifices, a "multi-lateral developed socialist society". The Romanian society was deep affected into its structures and functions. Timisoara has passed the similar period of artificial changes with its industrialization process, without a full connection with its cultural background, tradition or specific. Thus, here were built large industrial facilities, dedicated to the income working forces.

Into the 80's, Timisoara has become a "grey" city, integrated in the centralized planned economy forced by the communist political system. The traditional famous enterprises - such "Timisoreana" (1716, beer), Elba (former "Dura", electrical corps from 1921), Guban (1937, chemistry) etc. (all of them under the state control) were interfered with new industrial platforms more or less adequate to the profile and specific of the city. All these industrial areas were built around the residential space, without any strategically estimation of the urban development.

After the political changes, many of industrialization establishments were shutdown and lots of jobs were lost. But, contrary to other many cases from Romania, the old economical structures were quickly replaced by other new concerns. Many international corporations have considerate Timisoara an attractive city and now here there are many new companies and business. All these have kept in Timisoara the lower rate of unemployment from Romania (less than 2% in 2006 and 2007). The multicultural and multiethnic profiles of Timisoara's population have represented very good reasons for foreign investors. Several multinational corporations have deployed a local subsidiary in or around Timisoara, such: Alcatel Lucent, Coca-Cola, Continental, Draxlmaier, Linde Gas, Nestle, Procter&Gamble, Siemens, etc. Thus, right now in Timisoara is living the larger Italian businessmen community, and also, a large community of investors from the Arabian space, and from Turkey.

Settlement system

In the second half of 19th century many technological innovations have improved the urban life of Timisoara: the telegraphy in 1853; in 1857 Timisoara became the first city from Romania with public illumination with gas; in 1857 Timisoara was connected to the European railroad system; in 1867 the trams with horses; in 1881 there were installed modern phone networks; in 1884 Timisoara became the first city from Europe with electrical illumination on streets; in 1895 the streets were asphalted; in 1899 the electrical trams; between 1912-1914 there were upgraded the sewer systems.

Nowadays, the public transportation is assured by a network of trams (145.8km), buses (183.2km) and trolleybuses (70.46km). The streets network inside Timisoara has 574 km with a surface of 603 ha6.

During 1965-1990, the urban area of the city of Timisoara is extended with residential neighbourhoods and with industrial platforms. Thus, in the 60ies, blocks of bricks have been built inside the central area. At the end of the 60ies, industrial facilities for concrete preparation have been developed, and it was begun the construction of the residential areas for workers, with a radial emplacement, around the old city fortress. Between 1970 and 1990 was reached the peak of the house's building from the entire history of the city. The industrial areas of the city were concentrically developed (Burgess, 1925): industrial buildings surrounded by residential places with urban infrastructure, public institutions and utilities, commercial spaces etc. A large part of this urban development was based on demolishing entire neighbourhoods of houses on built on ground. All the affected owners have received (by judicial decisions) money for the land and a block-flat apartment for the house.

The prices of the houses and the rent costs in the period 1968-1990 was relative stable, but without correspondence with the real price of the building (during this period we cannot speak about a functional real estate market). The stock house and the volume of the house constructions did not relate to the demand came from the market, but to the political projections related to the industrial development and to the changing of the rural population in the working class of the urban "new man". In 1985, the urban population of Romania achieves and exceeds the level of 50%; nowadays the urbanization grade is above 55%.

Other factors

Another main characteristic of Timisoara is its geographical position close by the borders with Hungary and with Serbia (former Yugoslavia). Thus, Timisoara was always in contact with other foreign models and its specific multicultural profile has assured a very good assimilation of all these contents (from economical local interchanges to cultural representations, from fashion to TV programs and so on). This label of "the most occidental city of Romania" has had a consistent contribution in attracting people from all around the country. By other hand, the accessibility of two foreign countries (Serbia and Hungary) has represented a facilitation of the perspective of international (out-) migration. From Timisoara it was quite easy to go in Europe, especially when the political condition has allowed that.

There are not less important the metropolitan strategies developed and implemented by the municipality. In the next several years this territory will become a metropolitan area and this new administrative status will have a major impact on the city. For around five years all the villages close to city have been very attractive residential neighbourhoods. Thus, we can already talk about a process of suburbanization that will have very soon an administrative and financial support from the municipal budget; even this trend will affect directly the city core.

Dynamics

Timisoara, as a very important Romanian city, close to Central Europe, with a consistent student population (mostly temporary) has known a high level of dynamics in its demographical structure, profile and configuration. With high levels of incoming and outgoing inhabitants, the city of Timisoara has represented for a long period an occidental gate towards the Central and Western Europe, USA and Canada.

The decreasing of the population because of the low fertility rate has generated other demographical phenomenon, such ageing.

If in 1990, the peak of the trend line is around 20-24 years, in 2009 this level is increasing with 10 years (to 30-34). The differences between the two periods (1990 and 2009) are significant especially for younger ages: 0-4 ages 46.5%, 5-9 ages 58.3% and 51.8% (the decreasing in 2009 from 1990).

In around 20 years, the average age of the population has grown with 5.9 years in 2008, and after that it has decreased with 0.4 years. With this trend, the average age of Timisoara's population has a real risk to cross the limit of fertility (49 years) with all massive negative consequences for its further development. With other words, the year 2009 has a different profile or manifestation comparatively with the previous period. A direct explanation can be found in the evolution of the natural change of population. Thus, from 1991 the natural spore has become negative, and the number of births was in a continuous decreasing until 2002. From 3,302 newborn babies in 1990 it was a decrease till 2201 in 2002 and after that the number increased till 3,175 in 2008. From 1992 to 2007 the number of deaths was constantly higher than the number of births. The negative spore during this period has cumulated a decreasing of population with 7.718 inhabitants (2.19%).

Another aspect, that is very relevant for this analysis, is represented by the evolution of the emigrants and immigrants from Timisoara. Due to a not so elaborated evidence regarding the migration of the population, it is still quite difficult to use some general indicators, such as: "establishing in the locality" or "leaving the locality". The current procedure does not record the national destinations of the persons that are moving out/in the city. So, the only available statistics with the regional migration is the census. Other relevant data that can be used is represented by the evolution of emigrants and immigrants. Thus, from 1994 until 2007 the number of persons that are moving from Timisoara in a foreign country was constantly higher than the number of newcomers. During this period, 11,684 of Timisoara's inhabitants have moved away and 2,763 of foreign people moved in the city. These statistics cover especially the ethnic groups (firstly the German population from Timisoara that have permanently established in Germany during the 90's). By the migration negative balance, from 1994 to 2007 Timisoara has lost 8,921 inhabitants (2.53%).

Footnote

2 By NUTS, Romania has 4 macro-regions, 8 development regions and 41+1 counties

3 ,,Vieti la comanda" [Lifes at command], article available at http://www.civicnet.info/Procesulcomunismului.asp?ID=120, accesed on 19 March 2010

4 in accordance with Demographic Annual of R.S.R. 1974 and Census 1977

5 *** Timisoara electronic article available at http://www.timisoreni.ro/info/generalitati/Timisoara.html, last accessed 8 February 2010

6 Data presented by the INSEE (National Statistics Institute) and available on the Timisoara City Hall web page, at http://www.primariatm. ro/timisoara/index.php, last accessed 15 January 2010

References

References

1. Ciuhandu, Gh. (2005-2009), Raportul de activitate al primarului 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 [The mayor's report of activity 2005-2009] Timisoara City Hall, Retrieved in February 2010 from http://www.primariatm.ro

2. Davidson, K. (2004), Property fragmentation. Redistribution of land and housing during the Romanian democratisation process. Upsala Unviersitet. Geografiska Regionstudier, nr. 60, 78 pp.

3. Opris, M. (2009), Timisoara - monografie urbanistica, [Timisoara - urban monograph], Timisoara: Brumar 35.

4. Park, R., Burgess E. W. & McKenzie R. D. (1925), The City. Chicago: University of Chicago Press

5. Sandu, D. (1977), Studiu asupra migraþiei forþei de munca din agricultura [Research about the migration of the working force from agriculture] in Caiet de studii Bucuresti: Institutul de Economie Agrara [Working Papers of the Romanian Institute for Agricultural Economy]. 64(5).

6. *** (2009), Raportul anual 2005- 2008 [Annual reports 2005-2008], Regia autonoma de apa si canal Aquatim Timisoara, retrieved February 2010 from http://www.aquatim. ro/uploads/file/rap- oarte_anuale/aquatim_raport_anual_2005.pdf

7. *** (2008), Statutul Municipiului Timisoara [The Statute of the City of Timisoara] Retrieved in February 2010 from http://www.primariatm.ro