Ciprian Ciucu cites Maastricht as example of civic order compared to Bucharest

Ciprian Ciucu, the Mayor of Sector 6 in Bucharest, has used his recent visit to Maastricht, Netherlands, to highlight the gap in civic culture between Romania and Western European cities. Following a two-day session with the European Committee of the Regions, Ciucu noted that the primary difference lies in the level of social order and respect for rules.

He observed that in cities like Maastricht, rules are “clear and simple,” and citizens do not constantly seek to violate them for temporary personal advantages. Ciucu pointed to common issues in Bucharest, such as parking on green spaces, improper waste disposal, and excessive noise from terraces, as evidence of a deeper problem regarding mutual respect and responsibility toward public funds and the urban environment.

Ciucu emphasized that the solution is not merely a matter of increased policing or surveillance cameras, but rather a fundamental shift in civic responsibility and respect for the community.