From Industrial City to Intelligent City: Galați’s Journey in the European Intelligent Cities Challenge

Galați, once renowned as the home of the largest steel plant in South-Eastern Europe, is embracing a new identity. The city is evolving from its industrial legacy into a forward-thinking, sustainable, and citizen-centric urban hub—an “intelligent city” aligned with Europe’s green and digital future. This transformation has been catalyzed by Galați’s active participation in the Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) 2023–2025, a European Commission initiative that empowers cities to achieve the green and digital transition through Local Green Deals (LGDs).

The ICC’s second and final phase brought together 86 cities and facilitated the creation of 217 Local Green Deals across Europe, fostering innovative partnerships between municipalities, businesses, and academia. For three years, participating cities collaborated to accelerate decarbonisation, digitalisation, and sustainable economic growth. The programme introduced Tech4Good solutions in more than 80 cities, delivered five online EU Academy courses on sustainable urban strategies, and organised a series of high-level events and field visits in cities like Amsterdam, Lisbon, Porto, Aalborg, and Dortmund, promoting peer learning and strategic cooperation.

Galați’s Local Green Deal: Pioneering Sustainable Mobility

Galați’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its Local Green Deal, which focuses on transforming urban mobility into a zero-emission, eco-friendly system. The municipality is working closely with Transurb SA, the city’s public transport provider, and local taxi operators to modernise fleets and transition to electric vehicles. Key elements include:

• Investments in electric and non-polluting public transport;

• Development of charging infrastructure and green mobility facilities;

• Citizen awareness campaigns, targeting especially the younger generation to foster early environmental responsibility.

These efforts aim to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance urban mobility, creating a healthier, safer, and more sustainable city for residents.

A Collaborative Approach to Urban Transformation

The success of Galați’s LGD lies in its multi-stakeholder collaboration. Local businesses, academic institutions, and civic groups are actively engaged:

• Businesses and transport operators are driving innovation and investments in green mobility.

• Universities and research institutions are contributing to data-driven policies and sustainability education.

• Citizens are involved through co-designed awareness campaigns and digital feedback platforms, ensuring that urban transformation is inclusive and citizen-focused.

This collaborative governance model not only strengthens local trust and engagement but also positions Galați as a regional model for sustainable urban planning along the Lower Danube.

From Steel to Smart: Galați’s European Vision

With a population of nearly one million in the Galați-Brăila metropolitan area, Galați stands as the largest maritime port on the Danube in Romania and a major Eastern European commercial hub. By prioritizing green mobility, environmental resilience, and digital transformation, the city is turning its industrial heritage into a springboard for sustainable prosperity.

The journey from industrial city to intelligent city is more than a local success story—it is part of a pan-European movement. Through the Intelligent Cities Challenge and the implementation of Local Green Deals, Galați is shaping a future where economic competitiveness, social well-being, and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.