Plants that appear naturally, from the seeds brought by the wind, on animal fur, or carried by birds, make up the spontaneous flora. These resilient ruderal plants - from nitrogen-fixing Fabaceae and bee-loving Cephalaria transsylvanica to wild hops, thistles, and vibrant viper's bugloss - thrive in neglected urban corners where life finds a way.
Beyond replacing the monotony of manicured turf with colorful beauty, these resilient wild species play a vital role in urban ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for beneficial insects like mosquito-eating dragonflies and Mylabris beetles, while actively helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect. As we look at natural sanctuaries like Văcărești Park, a crucial question remains: if spontaneous flora can transform our cities into thriving ecosystems, what is stopping us from letting nature take root?
Short urban documentary by Andrei Nicoară.

Partners: Institute of Biology Bucharest, Faculty of Biology – University of Bucharest, 2Celsius, Projekt Atol, Zile și nopți
The Urban Green Blueprint is co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund.
The project does not necessarily represent the position of The Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN). The Administration of the National Cultural Fund is not responsible for the content of the project or the manner in which the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the funding recipient.