Multi-colored facades still part of Chisinau scenery

One and a half year after the banning of unauthorized practices of thermally insulate facades, involving changes to the paint color of the block, residents of Chisinau continue to color the exteriors of their flats at will, using colors that do not follow the building’s initial coloring. Local authorities claim that the problem could only be solved through a Municipal thermal insulation project, with costs split between the Municipality and the residents themselves. Acting Chief Architect Radu Blaj told Info-Prim Neo that the order issued in March 2011 was a warning, asking the capital’s resident to coordinate all of their thermal insulation works with the managers of the residential stock and with District Heads’ Offices, or to submit a request at the City Hall, which would allow for the isolation of one whole floor, or even block, as opposed to only one flat. “Unfortunately, Chisinau residents don’t respect there provisions. After the issuing of the order, crowds of residents stormed the City Hall building, asking questions about the application procedure, but no positive results have been yet registered”, added Radu Blaj. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca said that residents are allowed to insulate their apartments only if they respect the initial coloring of the block. “We should check how many blocks were insulated since the issuing of the order and how many were isolated afterward, in order to be able to compare the situation, but this is not a solution to the problem”, said the Mayor. In his opinion, the problem will be solved when entire blocks will be insulated, as is the case in Germany, or Sweden. “Financial resources for this project have been projected, and the residents of a block in Riscani district are willing to contribute financially to the entire thermal insulation of the block”, stated the Mayor. Dorin Chirtoaca added that a residential block in Telecentru neighborhood was insulated using funds from the City Hall, and now authorities seek for a block where the residents would be willing to contribute to the co-financing of the project, since it is impossible to cover all expenses using only the Municipal Budget. The disposition signed in 201, by Deputy Mayor Nistor Grozavu, does not stipulate any sanctions for changing the initial coloring of the block, but tells the managers of residential funds to notify the State Inspectorate in Constructions, for the latter to enforce the provision of the relevant legislation.