The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide an 8 million euro loan for a 20 million euro project to regenerate the Bîc River.
Earlier, the European Investment Bank (EIB) provided a loan of 8 million euros, and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) provided an investment grant of 4 million euros.
“As Chisinau expanded, the Bîc River became polluted and flooded. This factor negatively affected local communities, infrastructure, and the economy. It reduces the attractiveness of the city. Severe flooding is expected to become more destructive following the expected impact of climate change, which is expected to result in shorter and more intense rainfall,” the EBRD said in a press release.
The project aims to fund a combination of solutions that will collectively improve stormwater management and interaction with the Bîc River, including partial re-profiling of 7.6 km of the river’s course and the integration of flood control measures such as rehabilitating the drainage network and installing gate valves in urban areas rivers.
“This will reduce the damage and costs associated with increased flood risk for approximately 2,100 direct people. More broadly, this will restore the water quality and attractiveness of the river, providing sustainable recreation, convenience, and mobility alternatives for the approximately 100,000 people who live, work and visit the city, with positive health and well-being effects.”
The project includes plans for the installation of urban drainage solutions, including about 90 rain gardens and 85 urban tree sections – sustainable urban drainage solutions that use natural systems designed to manage surface water flows and improve water quality, and create green spaces that complement traditional stormwater management systems.