Revista Română de Geografie Politică Year XIII, no. 2, November 2011, pp. 109-132 ISSN 1454-2749 , E-ISSN 2065-1619 Article no. 132101-232 STAKES IN CONTENTION AND MUTATIONS IN THE ORGANISATION OF THE URBAN AND PERIURBAN SPACE OF TIMIŞOARA Nicolae POPA West University of Timişoara, Department of Geography, 4, Vasile Pârvan Blvd., 300223, Timişoara, Romania, e-mail:
[email protected] Abstract: The concept of growth poles and one of its spatial effects, the urban sprawl, are realities that characterise today’s cities of Romania. Since 1990, the city of Timişoara has shown considerable ability both in production and in the appropriation of space both within its bounds and beyond. This has strengthened its urban quality and integrated it more securely in its local area and region. Although from a demographic point of view it has stagnated, Timişoara has succeeded in developing relationships with other European cities and has won itself a place among those urban centres in Romania that are best integrated in Central Europe’s network of communication and exchange. However, the urban renewal and suburban development of Timişoara, involving the re-forging of territorial links and the redefinition of the city’s regional roles, is not taking place without problems. Will Timişoara’s new national status (granted in 2008) of designated ‘growth pole’ be sufficient to solve these problems and kick-start the effective long- term development of the city and its zone of influence? Key words: urban renewal, urban sprawl, regional development, growth pole, Timişoara. * * * * * * INTRODUCTION The urban phenomenon is one of the geographical categories that have been most fiercely debated in the last fifty years, on account of its growing structural and spatial extension and the major impact towns and cities have on the balance of nature, on social and economic life and on the way geographical space is organised.