Romania Bars Installing Public Utility Infrastructure Above Ground

05.12.2011 By Ioana Tudor

The Romanian Government approved Wednesday a bill which forbids the installation of equipment used by public utility infrastructure above ground on public property.

The bill, drafted by the Tourism and Development Ministry, amends Government Decision no. 525/1996 approving regulations regarding urban planning.

The bill forbids equipment belonging to water supply, electricity, heating, telecommunications, public transport, automated road signs and other such utilities from being installed on public property, above ground.

According to the act, such equipment may not be installed on street light or utility poles, building facades or green spaces.

It may be installed underground or on the inside of buildings, with the owners' consent and without affecting public traffic.

The draft decision also says work to implement or expand public utility infrastructure will be done before or at the same time as work to implement, expand or modernize the local street network.