Iași

CRFS Lab description

Food for Iasi Living Lab Objectives

Designed as a collaborative and innovative hub, Food for Iasi Living Lab aims primarily at connecting stakeholdolders from CRFS for identifying and assessing the particular issues of the urban food system of Iași city as well as for finding innovative solutions able to address these identified issues and contribute to the development of a durable and sustainable food system.

Iași

Romania

The city of Iaşi has a vast experience in food system transformation (local partnerships, projects). In the last four years, the city has invested over 4 million euros to structure the agri-food system. The city aim to further efforts on the previous programme framework to support the city overcome existing barriers to food system transformation, develop sustainable and resilient urban food system policies. The city aim to address food-related needs creating partnerships between public and private entities across regions and nations. Selected projects: Green Weekend Market (promoting local products), Made in Moldova (promoting the potential of local products internally and internationally), Slow Food Youth Network (debates on local products and traditions).

The City of Great Loves, The City of the Famous Destinies, The City of the Three Unions, The City on Seven Hills, “The City of the Beginnings” (first Romanian University, first Botanical Garden, first Romanian National Theatre,  first Jewish Theatre, etc), The City of  Great Ideas, IAȘI is the second-largest city (according to the last census) of Romania.  

Located in the historical region of Moldavia, Iaşi has constantly been one of the leading centers of Romanian social, cultural, academic, and artistic life. The city was the capital of the Principality of Moldavia from 1564 to 1859, then of the United Principalities from 1859 to 1862, and the capital of Romania from 1916 to 1918. 
Known as The Cultural Capital of Romania, Iaşi is a key symbol in Romanian history. The famous Romanian historian Nicolae Iorga said “There should be no Romanian who does not know of it”.

Still referred to as The Moldavian Capital, Iaşi is the seat of Iaşi County and the main economic center of the Romanian region of Moldavia. Home to the first Romanian university and to the first engineering school, it is the second-largest university center in the country accommodating over 75,000 students in 5 public and private universities. The social and cultural life revolves around Vasile Alecsandri National Theater (the oldest in Romania),  Moldova State Philharmonic, the Opera House, Tătăraşi Athenaeum, a famous  Botanical Garden (the oldest and largest in Romania), the Central University Library (the oldest in Romania), high quality foreign cultural centers and festivals, an array of museums, memorial houses, religious and historical monuments. 

General information 

  • Region: North-East Region of Romania 
  • Location: Iasi is situated on the east side of Moldova, on the Bahlui River, affluent of Jijia that flows into the Prut River; it is the legendary city of  the 7 hills: Cetățuia, Galata, Copou, Bucium,  Șorogari, Repedea, and Breazu 
  • Population: 305,978 inhabitants 
  • Total surface: 5,476 km² 
  • Coordinates: 47°9′44″N 27°35′20″E (Google Maps: 47.1487981,27.5642885)

Iasi is the second-largest city in the country in terms of the number of residents, but also in cultural, historical, and academic terms. 
The second-largest university center in Romania 

Economy 

Iaşi is an important economic center in Romania. The most important sectors are related to ITC, health care, education, research, culture, government, tourism, and manufacturing. It is active in metallurgical production, pharmaceutical industry, textiles and clothing, constructions,  banking, wine, and preserved meat. 

The city is an important ITC sector center, with software companies and two universities that provide high-quality graduate engineers. 
Iaşi is also a well-developed commercial city with shopping malls and commercial centers.