Mariana Șlapac

Mariana Șlapac is a Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova and a senior researcher at the State University of Moldova. She holds a habilitated doctorate in arts and specializes in the history and theory of architecture, urbanism, and cultural heritage. Her research focuses on Bessarabian cities like Cahul, Bălţi, and Chisinau, examining their architectural evolution from the 19th century to the present. She has collaborated on studies of fortifications (e.g., Akkerman Fortress), interwar modernism, and the role of women architects in shaping urban landscapes. Her work integrates archival research, historical analysis, and cultural studies.

Key areas include urban development patterns, historical preservation challenges, and the socio-political dimensions of architectural projects. She has authored articles on Chisinau's water infrastructure, Soviet-era urban planning, and the aesthetics of public buildings like the Parliament. Her contributions highlight Bessarabia's layered cultural identity through its built environment.

Awarded the honor of Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences, her research bridges architectural history with contemporary debates on heritage conservation and urban sociology.