In the 19th century, Timișoara's urban development was restricted by the city's fortification status, which prohibited any construction within a distance of 949 metres outside the city walls. The outer districts had already appeared at distances of about 2 km from the centre and contained a large population already linked to the economic life of the city.
Thus, after long discussions between local authorities and central institutions from Vienna and Budapest, the situation began to change. Authorisation was granted to demolish the gates and walls of the fortress, which marked the beginning of the town's urban development.
The first urban plan was designed by architect Lajos Ybl and royal engineer Aladar Kovacs-Sebesteny and was presented to the local authorities on 15 February 1894. Following the example of Vienna, there were two road rings linking the city centre and the surrounding districts. The project also proposed the removal of railway lines from the city centre and extensive water and sewage works.
Due to specific ground conditions the plan was only partially achieved and revisions and new solutions for the development of the city were needed.
Excerpt from Kovacs, Zoltan (2022). Calendar Timișorean File din istoria orașului. Timișoara: Central Dabasi Nyomda Zrt.
Editor: Nicolae Șerban
Translator: Nicole Olariu