The Institute for Visionary Cities (IOV) launches the 2026 edition of the Urban Attractiveness Index, the perceptual component of CITY INDEX, which evaluates the attractiveness of Romania’s 41 county-seat municipalities through the intersection of two key dimensions: intention to move and the overall perception of quality of life in cities, as well as the opportunities they offer. The two dimensions were measured through an online survey conducted by AHA Moments in April 2026, on a nationally representative sample of 1,200 respondents, according to Romania Journal.
Brașov maintains its leading position in the ranking and remains the city perceived as the most attractive place to live in Romania. Cluj-Napoca holds second place, as in the previous edition, while Constanța moves up three positions to complete the podium of the 2026 edition. The top 10 most attractive cities for living is completed by Timișoara (4th), Sibiu (5th), Oradea (6th), Iași (7th), Bucharest (8th), Alba Iulia (9th), and Arad (10th).
Although the top positions remain dominated by well-established cities, this year’s results indicate an interesting trend: urban attractiveness is becoming more widely distributed and is no longer concentrated as strongly around a few dominant urban centers. In this context, several small and medium-sized cities (especially those in the 60,000–100,000 population category) are gaining ground in public perception.
Cities with the largest growth compared to 2024 Edition
A comparison with the 2024 edition of the Urban Attractiveness Index shows notable increases for Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Slatina, Târgu Jiu, and Baia Mare. In terms of score dynamics, not only ranking positions, there are also some corrections among established cities. The most visible declines in scores (although not significant in absolute terms) are recorded in Oradea, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca and Brașov. Even so, these cities remain in the upper part of the ranking and continue to be perceived as some of the most attractive urban centers in Romania.
How perceptions of cities are changing: from magnet cities to livable cities
As in 2024, Brașov remains the city with the broadest attractiveness in Romania. It is the first choice for families and individuals without children, for respondents with or without partners, for both urban and rural residents, and across all income levels. Brașov functions as a consensus city: attractive to very different population segments, not only to a specific category.
“The results this year do not indicate a radical shift in people’s preferences, but rather a movement of urban attractiveness from the promise of the ‘magnet city’ to the promise of the ‘balanced city’. Large urban centers remain strong and continue to dominate the top of the ranking, but their attractiveness is increasingly conditioned by the pressures of big-city life: high housing costs, traffic, pollution, and pressure on time and quality of everyday life. In contrast, cities perceived as easier to live in are gaining relevance through a different promise: not necessarily more opportunities, but a better and more balanced ratio between opportunities, costs, and urban comfort,” said Florian Filat, Executive Director of the Institute for Visionary Cities and coordinator of CITY INDEX.
The decline in urban quality-of-life scores compared to 2024 is almost universal, suggesting a more critical evaluation lens rather than an isolated drop in attractiveness for certain cities. The 2026 edition was conducted in a different context than 2024, marked by economic pressures and a higher level of general uncertainty among the population. In this context, cities with 60,000–100,000 inhabitants perform better both in terms of migration intention and overall attractiveness score: they attract more interest and are less penalized in overall evaluation.
Large urban centers remain the engines of urban performance and continue to concentrate economic, educational, and entertainment opportunities. Smaller cities, especially those in the 60,000–100,000 population cluster, are narrowing the gap with magnet cities through a promise of a more balanced daily life. There are signals that these cities are also attracting segments with professional or institutional capital (managerial staff, public sector employees, active adults aged 36–50), a group that tends to weigh more pragmatically costs, time, family life, housing, and everyday quality of life.
“Statistical data analyzed in the 2025 City Index edition supports this observation. Many smaller cities perform better on certain indicators of daily comfort, such as more affordable housing, better traffic management, cleaner air, green spaces, and safety. In a more demanding climate, such as 2026, these advantages may matter more in how people imagine a good city to live in, a place they might move to,” added Florian Filat.
Perceptual factors driving urban attractiveness
The analysis also examined the relative importance of several factors in shaping city perception. In 2026, urban attractiveness is less dependent on a single competitive advantage. The attractive city is evaluated as a complete package consisting of multiple factors: professional opportunities, mobility, healthcare services, infrastructure, technology, leisure, sports, and active urban life.
“Vibe” remains, as in 2024, the core driver of attractiveness: sports, physical activity, and leisure opportunities continue to be among the strongest explanatory factors. Their importance is slightly higher than other functional factors such as infrastructure, economic opportunities, education, or healthcare services.
“The results confirm a conclusion we have also observed in previous editions of CITY INDEX: a city’s attractiveness is largely influenced by people’s everyday experiences. In 2026, however, we observe a more pragmatic evaluation of cities. In a more difficult economic and social context than two years ago, factors related to urban stability and functionality have increased in importance: well-paid and suitable jobs, quality healthcare services, ease of mobility within the city, and integrated public service technology. These add to elements that have remained consistently important, such as leisure opportunities and the facilitation of innovation and creativity”, said Felix Tătaru, President of the Institute for Visionary Cities.
As Romania’s major metropolitan areas grapple with unprecedented expansion, traffic congestion, and the acute challenges of climate change, a quiet revolution in urban planning is taking shape. At the forefront of this transformation is the Institute for Visionary Cities (IVC) Romania, a leading think-tank and research hub that has spent recent years shifting the country’s urban development paradigm from chaotic real estate speculation to data-driven, human-centric design.
Established to bridge the gap between abstract academic research and the practical needs of local administrations, IVC Romania has emerged as a crucial mediator. By deploying advanced spatial data analytics, predictive AI, and sustainable architecture frameworks, the Institute is helping Romanian cities transition into resilient, forward-looking ecosystems.
The core pillars of visionary urbanism
IVC Romania operates on the principle that a city should not merely grow, but evolve intelligently. The think-tank concentrates its strategic efforts across four interconnected pillars, each targeting a critical vulnerability in contemporary Romanian municipalities:
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The 15-Minute city framework: Decentralising urban services so that residents can access work, education, healthcare, and leisure within a 15-minute walk or bicycle ride from their homes.
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Climate resiliency & green infrastructure: Integrating urban forests, permeable pavements, and sustainable drainage systems to combat the “urban heat island” effect and mitigate flash floods.
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Smart mobility integration: Moving away from car-centric layouts by designing integrated public transport networks, micromobility lanes, and pedestrianised historic centres.
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Brownfield regeneration: Reclaiming abandoned industrial sites inherited from the communist era and transforming them into vibrant cultural hubs, public parks, or high-tech business districts.
Mapping success: key urban metrics & performance
The Institute’s methodologies are heavily grounded in quantifiable data. Through annual audits and close collaborations with pilot municipalities across Romania—notably Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brașov, and Oradea—IVC tracks key livability indicators.
The following table highlights the target benchmarks established by IVC for Romanian cities by 2030, compared against the baseline data recorded at the start of their metropolitan advisory initiatives:
| Urban Liveability Indicator | Baseline Average (Early Initiatives) | IVC 2030 Target Benchmark | Current Status (2026 Assessment) |
| Green Space Per Capita | $14.5 \text{ m}^2$ | $26.0 \text{ m}^2$ (EU Standard) | $19.8 \text{ m}^2$ |
| Public Transit Electric Fleet Share | $12\%$ | $85\%$ | $58\%$ |
| Average Commute Time (Peak Hours) | $48 \text{ mins}$ | $< 25 \text{ mins}$ | $37 \text{ mins}$ |
| Pedestrianised Urban Core Zones | $2.1\text{\%}$ | $15.0\%$ | $8.4\%$ |
Source: IVC Romania Annual Progress Report & Spatial Data Analytics Division (2026).
Case studies in transformation
The practical impact of the Institute for Visionary Cities can be seen in its flagship regional projects. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all blueprints, IVC tailors its strategies to the unique economic and geographic realities of each region.
The table below outlines three major urban regeneration projects currently being coordinated or advised by IVC Romania:
| City / Region | Project Name | Primary Focus | Key Outcome / Objective |
| Cluj-Napoca Metropolitan Area | Someș Green Corridor | Riverbank revitalization & active mobility | Created $15\text{ km}$ of continuous bicycle and pedestrian paths, linking suburban areas to the city centre. |
| Brașov | Tractorul Regenerative Hub | Industrial brownfield conversion | Transforming an abandoned tractor factory zone into a mixed-use eco-district with zero-emission housing. |
| Bucharest (Sector 2) | Urban Lung Initiative | Micro-park network & air quality | Deploying over 40 pocket parks on reclaimed public land to lower local particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) levels. |
The road ahead
As European funding increasingly correlates with strict green transition goals, the expertise provided by the Institute for Visionary Cities has become indispensable. Municipalities that once viewed sustainability as an expensive luxury now recognize it as an economic necessity.
The journey toward fully sustainable urban environments in Romania remains long, characterized by decades of infrastructural deficits. However, through the rigorous research, data transparency, and passionate advocacy of the Institute for Visionary Cities, Romania’s urban future is being rewritten—one walkable street, one green corridor, and one visionary policy at a time.
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