Mureș Parks, Târgu Mureș International Design Competition 2026
Competition Brief
The “Mureș Parks, Târgu Mureș, The Hippodrome Park, Municipal Park, Turbinei Canal Green-Blue Ensemble” International Design Competition has been initiated by the Municipality of Târgu Mureș and the Romanian Order of Architects (OAR), Mureș Territorial Branch of OAR as a supporter. The competition invites visionary proposals for the reconceptualization of the fragmented green spaces along the Mureș River into a unified urban and ecological park network that not only enhances the value of the landscape but also strengthens its ecological resilience, promotes sustainable mobility, and at the same time creates vibrant recreational, social, and leisure environments. The designer of the chosen idea will be awarded the contract for the design services of the project.
Intent
Through the Mureș parks international design competition, we expect to cut-nature’s-blue-green-areas-off of the Mureș River watercourses and incorporate them back into the city’s plot of land, thus restoring ecological continuity, revitalizing public space, and reinforcing the city’s identity concerning its waterways. It proposes design that not only enhances ecological functions but also promotes walking and cycling, and provide space for social, recreational, and cultural activities.
Purpose
As part of this competition, the best design proposal will be selected for the Hippodrome Park, Municipal Park, and Turbinei Canal ensemble, which will lead to the award of a design services contract. This competition is a tool for the generation of high-quality urban and landscape design solutions that are in line with sustainable development goals and the principles of resilient urban planning.
Requirements
Contestants will have to create and turn in thorough design proposals that will cover the integration of the park system, ecological restoration, landscape resilience, urban mobility (walking and biking), and social/recreational activities. The proposals should illustrate how the scattered green areas can be turned into a unified network that links the city center with nature.
Jury
The jury of the competition consists of both full and deputy members picked from the group of professional architects and landscape designers. Their judgment centers on ecological integration, spatial quality, urban resilience, sustainability, and the overall coherence of the proposed parks system.
- land. arch. Sarah Anne Cowles
- land. arch. Julie Lilas Martineau
- land. arch. Henri Bava
- arch. Bogdan Severus Demetrescu
- land. arch. Albert Fekete
- arch. urb. Angela Kovacs
- arch. Daniela Florina Miheț – AC representative
- land. arch. Ada Diana Codrean (Deputy Member)
- arch. urb. Tamas Iszlai (Deputy Member)
Fees
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Design Competition Entry | Free |
Rewards
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | 228,199.50 RON (without VAT) and the design services contract estimated at 14,952,128.21 RON (without VAT) |
| 2nd Place | 177,488.50 RON (without VAT) |
| 3rd Place | 126,777.50 RON (without VAT) |
| 4th Place (Mention) | 76,066.50 RON (without VAT) |
| 5th Place (Mention) | 76,066.50 RON (without VAT) |
| 6th Place (Mention) | 76,066.50 RON (without VAT) |
Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Competition Official Launch | 30 December 2025 |
| Site Visit Registration Opens | 29 January 2026 |
| Site Visit | 31 January 2026 |
| Deadline for Questions Round 1 | 02 February 2026 |
| Answers Round 1 | 11 February 2026 |
| Deadline for Questions Round 2 | 31 March 2026 |
| Answers Round 2 | 09 April 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 20 April 2026 (16:00) |
| Jury Assessment | 24 April – 27 April 2026 |
| Winner Announcement | 28 April 2026 |
| Gallery Publication | 05 May 2026 |
| Deadline for Appeals | 08 May 2026 |
| Prize Payment | 07 July 2026 |
| Negotiation & Contract Initiation | 22 July 2026 |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
This contest is put together by the Municipality of Târgu Mureș in collaboration with the Romanian Order of Architects, with complete disclosure of support from institutions and a professional jury fully listed, which is a big indication of transparency. It is a serious professional design competition linked to a public project rather than a marketing gimmick. The prize and the accompanying design services contract are commensurate with the scale, complexity, and technical depth of the requirements. The would-be winners see the primary benefit in a very realistic chance of getting their designs executed and therefore getting their portfolio enhanced with strong credibility. The jury consists of architects and landscape architects with experience and expertise in urban and ecological design relevant to the respective fields.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The Mureș Parks competition demonstrates a growing international trend of linking urban river ecosystems with sustainable public space systems. The competition by focusing on ecological continuity, urban resilience, and high-quality design sets a stage for visionary landscape and urban proposals that could alter the public space in Târgu Mureș. The architects awarded the first prize will receive not only cash but also a guarantee of being hired for design services, thus making this competition both an honor and of great professional relevance.
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