On October 11, 2026, G4Media reported that Valea Săulei (the Săulei Valley), an area of floodplains and lakes in the north-east of the capital, could become Bucharest’s third protected natural area. For those who live at VIVACITY Residence Pipera, the news comes with a pleasant coincidence: in front of the project opens a direct panorama over Lake Săulei.
The status has not been decided yet, so below you will find exactly what is known so far, with the source cited.
What the news says about Valea Săulei
According to G4Media, the 5.2 hectares of public land in Valea Săulei could become the capital’s third protected natural area, after Văcărești Natural Park and the Petricani Meadow. Declaring the protected area would not involve purchasing the land.
The Local Council of Sector 2 approved, on July 14, 2026, the move to establish protected natural area status. The final decision belongs to the Bucharest General Council, and Dan Bărbulescu, of the Bucharest Natural Park Association, told G4Media that he expects the project to reach a vote towards the end of October.
Worth remembering: as of the date this article was published (October 14, 2026), Valea Săulei is not yet a protected natural area. The final vote of the Bucharest General Council has not taken place.
What lives in Valea Săulei
According to the source, more than 80 bird species have been identified in the area, including egrets, the common kingfisher and the little bittern. The article also mentions otters, European pond turtles, lizards and amphibians, in a mosaic of habitats: waters, floodplain forest, reedbeds and meadows. The two lakes in the area were set up in 1975 as fish ponds.
Why nature in the city matters
Among the ecological functions of such spaces, the supporting study mentions carbon storage, the retention of polluting particles, maintaining humidity and mitigating the urban heat island effect. For Dan Bărbulescu, they are part of a wider network of the city’s natural spaces:
These green-blue corridors, from an urban planning point of view, are very relevant and very valuable.
Dan Bărbulescu, Bucharest Natural Park Association, quoted by G4Media (translated from Romanian)
The panorama over Lake Săulei, from VIVACITY Residence Pipera
For residents of VIVACITY Residence Pipera, the direct panorama over Lake Săulei lies in front of the project: water, greenery and open sky right in front of the windows, in an area that remains close to the city.
The project was designed in the same direction, with nature close at hand: a moderate building height (ground floor + 4 or 5 storeys), hanging gardens on the façades and the nZEB standard. In most buildings, the apartments have two façades, oriented east-west, so natural light throughout the day and cross ventilation.
What comes next and what remains to be learned
The G4Media article does not discuss building restrictions and does not set the exact limits of the future area in relation to the surrounding projects. For official details, it is worth following the decisions of the Bucharest General Council. Not all apartments have the same orientation, so if the view of the lake matters to you, ask the VIVACITY team which apartment types open towards it.
Source of the information about Valea Săulei: G4Media.ro, Alina Mihai, “Valea Saulei, viitoarea arie naturală protejată din București: peste 80 de specii de păsări și habitate sălbatice” (in Romanian; in English: “Valea Saulei, Bucharest’s future protected natural area: over 80 bird species and wild habitats”), published on October 11, 2026, updated on October 12, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Valea Săulei a protected natural area?
Not yet. According to G4Media, the Local Council of Sector 2 approved the move on July 14, 2026, and the final decision belongs to the Bucharest General Council, where the vote was expected towards the end of October.
How large would the future protected area be?
The 5.2 hectares of public land in Valea Săulei, according to G4Media.
What species live in Valea Săulei?
More than 80 bird species have been identified in the area, including egrets, the common kingfisher and the little bittern. Otters, European pond turtles, lizards and amphibians are also mentioned.
Does VIVACITY Residence Pipera have a view of Lake Săulei?
Yes, the direct panorama over Lake Săulei lies in front of the project. The orientation differs from one apartment type to another, so ask the VIVACITY team which apartments open towards the lake.
