Gathering a large group of academics, researchers, artists, architects, urban planners and hosting several recurring events, Shrinking Cities in Romania is a pioneering initiative to raise awareness about an acute and pervasive, yet too little discussed matter, which is presented in an attractive and interactive formulation, aiming to create a positive perspective on a negative phenomenon.  The motivation for this ongoing project was, on the one hand, to provide a clear picture of the current state of Romanian cities and, on the other hand, to demonstrate the extent to which the phenomenon is overlooked in the Romanian public sphere by the exclusive focus on growth processes in the public discourse.  These aspects became the project objectives: to raise awareness about the overlooked phenomenon of Shrinking Cities in Romania and to state the resulting need to redefine the role of architecture and urban planning.

since 2009: Research 

(pHD Ilinca Păun Constantinescu 2009-2016, since 2016 research with Ideilagram team)

2016, 2018: National exhibition

(Muzeul Național de Artă Contemporană / MNAC Bucharest (20 aprilie-9oct 2016), Petrila Mine, Ladislau Schmidt / Petrila Mine (1 mai 2018-present day)

2019: Publication 

Shrinking Cities in Romania / Orașe românești în declin

Vol. 1: Research and Analysis / O cercetare critică

Vol. 2: Responses and Interventions / Reacții și intervenții

DOM publishers, Berlin & Editura MNAC, București, 2019

(Concept: IDEILAGRAM, Editor: Ilinca Păun Constantinescu)

2021: International Exhibition within “Fading Borders”, Romanian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, together with “Away” by Teleleu, in the Romanian Pavilion

Visions and Research in Architecture: Architectural Interventions and Experiments” award at the  Architecture Annual 2017, awarded by the Chamber of Architects of Romania (OAR)

Concept and research: 

Ilinca Păun Constantinescu

Curatorial, editorial and research team:  

IDEILAGRAM (Tudor Constantinescu, Iulia Elena Păun, Laura Popa Florea, Alexandru Păun, Gabriela Belcineanu)

Ana Maria Zahariade, Ștefan Ghenciulescu, Călin Dan, Philipp Oswalt,Tim Rieniets, Ilinca Păun Constantinescu, Vintilă Mihăilescu, Irina Tulbure, Vasile Ghețău, Gabriel Pascariu, Șerban Popescu-Criveanu, Augustin Ioan, Dana Vais, Angelica Stan, Toader Popescu, Bianca Mitrică, Bogdan Suditu, Ioan Ianoș, Liviu Ianăși, Vera Marin, Sorin Ioniță, Maria Voichiţa Grecu, Manuela Stănculescu, Ioana Tudora, Tudor Constantinescu, Mihai Sima, Anca Trestian, Raluca Sabău, Stejara Timiș, Andreea Iancu, Ioana Cîrlig, Marin Raica, Irina Tulbure, Andreea Chirică, Celia Ghyka, Alex Călin, Radu Ponta, Oana Iacob, Tudor Giurgiu, Alexandru Belc, Gabriela Alexandrescu, Teodora Ana Mihai, Cristina Sucală, Ion Barbu, Andrei Dăscălescu, Dragoș Dascălu, Angelica Stan, Irina Pața, Ana-Maria Pălăduș, Emil Octavian Zorilă, Bogdan Jitea, Răzvan Delcea, Luminița Tatarici, Oana Chirilă, Patricia Blidariu, Răzvan Popescu, Silvia Boeriu, Daniela Calciu, Ina Stoian, Alex Axinte, Cristi Borcan, Oana Ţiganea, Simona Zărnescu- Braniște, Gabriela Pașcu, Marina Neagu, Alexandra Stoica, Mark Lorant Mihat

IDEOGRAM STUDIO