The Metamorphosis of Cities in the Republic of Moldova during the Communist Period and Beyond

Raisa ȚĂRUȘ1, Vasile SURD1
1 Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography, Centre for Research on Settlements and Urbanism, Cluj-Napoca, ROMANIA
E-mail: raisa_tarus@yahoo.com, vsurd@geografie.ubbcluj.ro
Pages: 77-86

Abstract. In the first part of this paper we make a historical retrospective about the communist era in Moldova. The pre-communist era of 1812-1940 and communist era during 1940-1991 are reflected in society through culture, traditions, customs, laws, dogmas, etc. In the second part we are talking about theories and methods used to study the communist period in Moldova. These theories and research methods are relevant to our study about demographic evolution in the Republic of Moldova. In the third part we analyze the historical stages of the era of communism and how it affected the Republic of Moldova and its citizens. We also specify how cities looked in the communist period and how their demographic, historical, political evolution has occurred. We conclude by presenting the administrative units of Moldova during the communist period, the demographic evolution and its current trends.

K e y w o r d s:  urban metamorphosis, demography, communist period, administration