Ciprian Ciucu: What Does It Take to Lead a Modern Capital?

The Century of Cities welcomes Mayor Ciprian Ciucu of Bucharest as part of our special series recorded in Singapore during the World Cities Summit 2026, in association with the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum and the Centre for Liveable Cities. Bringing together mayors from more than 100 cities under the theme Liveable and Sustainable Cities: ACT Now!, the Summit provided a global platform for city leaders to exchange ideas, share practical solutions, and strengthen collaboration on the future of urban life. Against this backdrop, Mayor Ciucu reflects on Bucharest's transformation from a centrally planned communist capital to a modern European city navigating growth, mobility, and resilience. Looking ahead, he explores the leadership needed to reduce earthquake risk, modernize ageing infrastructure, and create a more liveable city. His perspective is both practical and optimistic: great cities are shaped not only by long-term vision, but by collaboration, courageous leadership, and the ability to manage complexity.