BrainMap

Mr. Alexandru Dragan

Associate Professor

Associate Professor (Conferentiar) - UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Researcher | Teaching staff

Alexandru Dragan is an associate professor and human geographer at the West University of Timișoara, whose research focuses on urban regeneration, marginalization, quality of life, and post-socialist territorial transformations. His research combines GIS analysis with quantitative methods, interviews, mind maps, and participatory approaches, examining the relationship between urban interventions, governance, and residents’ everyday experiences. He has coordinated national projects and applied research and has participated in international consortia dedicated to urban regeneration, social innovation, and territorial development. His recent work analyzes the gap between the promises of historic neighborhood regeneration and the unequal social effects of their revitalization. His findings have been published in leading international journals in geography, urban studies, and the social sciences.

Curriculum Vitae (25/08/2026)

Expertise & keywords

Social spatial diffusion and the regional impact of NGOs in the European Capitals of Culture 2021 (CC2021) Timișoara and Novi Sad Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0274 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO)

Project website: https://novitim.projects.uvt.ro/

Abstract:

The aim of our project is to analyse the social spatial diffusion and the regional impact of NGOs in the European Capitals of Culture 2021 Timișoara and Novi Sad. The specific objectives of this study are:

O1: to analyse the spatial diffusion of the NGOs acting in the field of culture, in the regions of Timisoara (Banat) and Novi Sad (Vojvodina) in the year 2021;

O2: to estimate the area of cultural influence of Timisoara and Novi Sad on their regions, via the spectrum NGOs activities;

O3: to measure the impact of the cultural NGOs actives in 2021 in Timișoara and Novi Sad upon the transfiguration of the urban public spaces;

O4: to evaluate the spatial magnetism of the Capital of Culture 2021 events developed by NGOs at regional level.

Following, these objectives, we propose four hypothesis:

H1: The spatial diffusion of cultural NGOs is gradually decreasing from the regional poles to the peripheral areas;

H2: the medium-sized towns and the rural area are facing a lack of initiatives and resources, becoming dependent on the regional poles “export” of cultural activities;

H3: The NGOs in Timisoara and Novi Sad prefer to revive forgotten spaces, in contrast to already consecrated cultural spaces;

H4: The NGOs’ activities attract two opposite spheres: the local and the international public, but the regional public is missing.

The implementation of the objectives brings the following innovative instruments:

- an analysis of the implementation of cultural NGOs activities in two different governance systems;

- a quantifiable overview of the cultural NGOs on the regional map, aiming to stress on the desertification of cultural effervescence in the smaller towns and in rural areas;

- it maps the alternative/creative or reconverted urban spaces and point the available spaces (”cultural physical stock”) for future cultural activities

- two GIS methods to estimate the spatial regional diffusion indices of the NGOs and the cultural magnetism of the cities.

Urban heritage and renewal: creative spaces, inclusive culture and civic spirit Call name:
AUF-17-IFA 2019 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (); Universite d'Angers (); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (); Academia de Studii Economice a Moldovei ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website: https://cdr-start.uvt.ro/creatonvil/

Abstract:

The main purpose of the project is to generate new, competitive information in the knowledge of creative urban spaces, in stimulating the local entrepreneurial spirit in the sphere of creative activities and in boosting the involvement of the population.

Personal life management for better work perspectives in disadvantaged regions Call name:
HU01-KA201-036045 2017 - 2020

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: Kathaz Szeged

Project partners: Kathaz Szeged (); UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (); Akademie Klausenhof (); Socijalna Akademia ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website: https://geografie.uvt.ro/?page_id=19306

Abstract:

The project aims to tackle relevant social problems in the regions of partner countries, namely important reasons of high rate of disoccupation among youngsters: economic problems, geographic obstacles, education difficulties, the lack of motivation and the poor capacities for personal life management and self-employmnet mean a relevant problem for high school students.

Enhancing social consciousness Call name:
2015-1-HU01-KA201-013623 2015 - 2018

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: Kathaz

Project partners: Kathaz (); Universite d'Angers (); Akademie Klausenhof (); Socijalna Akademia ()

Affiliation: Universite d'Angers ()

Project website: https://socialna-akademija.si/teachear/

Abstract:

Demographic disparities in rural areas Call name:
14-AUF-DISRUR 2016 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (); UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (); Universite d'Angers (); Academia de Studii Economice a Moldovei ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website: http://cgr.centre.ubbcluj.ro/disrur.html

Abstract:

The general objective of the project is to develop a guide for recommendations on mitigating demographic disparities in the Romanian rural areas, focused on the Poiana Ruscă mountains area.

Joint Strategy for Waste Water Management in the Danube Basin Call name:
Interreg IPA II, ETC SMIS 2016 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The aim of the project was to elaborate a joint cross-border strategy. Raising the population`s interest to preserve the regional environment was also an important goal, alongside the elaboration of three activity plans concerning waste water management for the improvement of the quality of life: feasibility studies and technical plans for the sewage system for 47 km in Dumbravita Commune (Romania), for 30 km in Giarmata Commune (Romania) and for 55 km in Municipality of Golubac (Serbia).

Money of Individuals, Social Mediation Call name:
AdPMS PDL 2012 - 2014

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Universite d'Angers

Project partners: Universite d'Angers (); Centre Nantais de Sociologie (CENS) (); CeRESS (Centre d'expertise et de recherche en économie sociale et solidaire) (); GAINS (Groupe d'Analyse des Itinéraires et des Niveaux Salariaux) (); GRANEM (Groupe de Recherche Angevin en Economie et Management (); IRESA (Inter Réseau de l'Economie Sociale et Solidaire en Anjou) ()

Affiliation: Universite d'Angers ()

Project website: http://eso-angers.cnrs.fr/fr/recherche/archives/adpms.html

Abstract:

The main objective is the implementation of an interdisciplinary analysis to unveil the elements of understanding and explanation of micro-credit schemes, support for over-indebtedness and tutelary measures in order to develop the first cognitive, social and social indicators. -economic and territorial for the extension of the analysis to other regions or even other Member States of the European Union.

Programul Universității de Vest din Timișora de susținere a cercetării în domeniul studiului migrației și diasporei Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Burse de cercetare "Spiru Haret"
PN-III-P1-1.1-BSH-2016-0002 2016 -

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects