In recent years, two Romanian communities—Târgu Mureș and Sânmartin—have become emblematic of the country’s evolving approach to local development, social policy, and urban modernization. Both have taken bold steps to address the needs of their residents, but their stories reveal different strategies, priorities, and challenges as 2025 draws to a close.
In Târgu Mureș, the city hall has taken a methodical approach to social housing, responding to a pressing need for affordable homes among vulnerable groups. According to the city’s recently published draft decision, the local government is preparing to approve the priority order for state-owned, social, pensioner, and youth housing allocations for 2026. This process, as outlined by the city’s official documents, is a tightly regulated affair. Between September 15 and October 15, 2025, a total of 402 applications flooded in: 203 for social housing, 173 for youth housing under the National Housing Agency (ANL) program, 18 for pensioner housing, 5 for state rental housing, and 3 from tenants evicted from restituted properties.
Transparency has been a cornerstone of the process. Provisional lists for all categories were posted both on the City Hall’s website and physically at its headquarters. Applicants were given a legal window to contest or supplement their files—seven days for ANL housing and up to November 28 for other categories. During this period, nine contestations and requests for file completion were registered, each one meticulously reviewed by the Housing Commission in a meeting held on December 10, 2025. As per Romanian Housing Law No. 114/1996, only families with a net monthly income per person below the national average qualify for social housing. Those who exceeded this threshold were reclassified onto the list for state rental housing.
Special attention has also been paid to the most vulnerable. For instance, the allocation of studios on Sârguinței Street follows a local council decision prioritizing pensioners, disabled pensioners, and people with severe disabilities. The entire process, including the minutes and detailed resolutions of the Housing Commission, has been attached to the draft decision now awaiting debate and vote in the Târgu Mureș City Council plenary.
While Târgu Mureș’s approach is measured and rule-bound, Sânmartin, under the stewardship of Mayor Cristian Laza, has opted for a sweeping vision of transformation powered by aggressive pursuit of external funding and a commitment to equitable growth. Since 2016, the Sânmartin City Hall has attracted approximately 70 million euros from European funds and an additional 40 million euros from non-reimbursable government sources. The impact has been dramatic: the population has surged from 9,000 in 2016 to about 15,000 in 2025, a testament to the area’s growing appeal and opportunities.
According to ebihoreanul, the modernization of Sânmartin is most visible in its two national balneal resorts, Băile Felix and Băile 1 Mai. Around 15 million euros—primarily from EU funds—were invested in these resorts, resulting in upgraded streets, bike lanes, elegant promenades, and state-of-the-art public lighting. The water and sewage networks were not only extended but fully rehabilitated, while green spaces and fountains now add to the area’s charm. Infrastructure improvements extend far beyond the resorts: over 130 kilometers of gas network now connect more than 4,000 households, a project valued at about 20 million euros. Additionally, 70 kilometers of communal and village roads have been asphalted, greatly improving access to the nearby city of Oradea.
The focus on social equity is evident in Sânmartin’s approach to utilities and public services. Every resident, regardless of which village they call home, now enjoys access to potable water, sewerage, and quality roads. The gas network, virtually non-existent a decade ago, now covers about 60% of the community and continues to expand. Public spaces have also received attention: cultural centers have been refurbished, and the communal library in Băile Felix has been modernized, providing residents with improved access to culture and education.
Education has been another pillar of Sânmartin’s development. Over the past four years, more than 3.5 million euros have been invested in educational infrastructure—funds sourced from both the EU and national government. The result is a new primary school with 13 modern classrooms, a new kindergarten, and the village’s first nursery, all aimed at meeting the needs of a growing population. All 11 structures within the Felix Technological High School network have been rehabilitated and equipped with new furniture and technology, ensuring that children from all backgrounds have access to quality learning environments.
Community engagement is central to Mayor Laza’s philosophy. More than 25 socio-cultural events are organized annually, fostering inclusion and local pride. The mayor is often seen in direct conversation with residents, addressing their concerns and monitoring public works—a style of leadership that has helped build trust and a sense of shared purpose.
Tourism, too, has flourished under this strategy. Băile Felix was ranked second in the 2023 "Destination of the Year" competition, surpassing well-known resorts like Mamaia and Sinaia. Visitor numbers have topped 300,000 annually, infusing the local economy with new energy and creating jobs. Infrastructure upgrades have kept pace: a new parking lot with more than 800 spaces, managed by an intelligent system, has eased chronic congestion during peak tourist seasons. The special resort tax now generates around 150,000 euros a year, funds that are reinvested in tourism promotion and community events.
Looking ahead, Sânmartin has set its sights on even more ambitious goals. A modern aquapark, projected to be the largest in the region with a capacity of 5,000, is in the works, with an estimated investment of 40 million euros. Plans also include green infrastructure projects, expanded gas and water networks, and enhanced educational offerings—initiatives designed to sustain growth and ensure that prosperity is widely shared.
Both Târgu Mureș and Sânmartin illustrate the power of local governance to shape lives, whether through careful management of social housing or visionary investment in infrastructure and community. Their experiences highlight the importance of transparency, equity, and long-term planning in building resilient, inclusive communities—values that increasingly define the Romanian local development landscape as 2026 approaches.
