Rebirth of Public Squares in Pécs – Assistance Contracts Signed17 August 2009
Pécs will be enriched by renewed public squares, parks and the rebirth of an entire district through two projects to be implemented with the help of EU funding. Having signed the assistance contracts, draw-down of EU funds required for implementing these two projects has commenced: public squares and parks will be renewed thanks to an investment worth 5.5 billion HUF, whilst 10.9 billion HUF has been allocated for the construction of the Zsolnay Cultural District.
As an outcome of this project, the public squares of Pécs will truly function as community spaces, offering an array of opportunities for spending free-time, whilst the historic buildings of the Zsolnay Factory will evolve into a recreation area and lively cultural district pooling cultural, artistic and educational functions.
Contracts finalising EU funding granted for the two key projects to be implemented in Pécs were signed at the Town Hall on 13 August. Draw-down of EU funding and construction work of investments can now get underway. Having achieved this, Pécs is now a huge step closer to the successful implementation of the 2010 European Capital of Culture programme.
A significant number of public squares in Pécs are in a rundown state. Only a handful of squares around the city are neatly maintained, which is why tourists tend to concentrate on a small area and many values remain hidden away. A huge area of the squares of the city is only used for transport purposes; there are few pieces of outdoor furniture, statues or other works of art on these squares. There are fewer drinking-fountains and fountains, which used to be very popular. This is why major renewal work needs to be carried out in Pécs, if the city wants to be a worthy and honourable capital of European culture.
This is exactly what the project „Rebirth of Public Squares and Parks, Phase 2” aims to achieve, which project is being implemented by the Local Government of Pécs City of County Rank with the help of EU funding amounting to 4.64 billion HUF. Among others, Széchényi Square, Kossuth Square, Búta Square, 48 Square, Indóház Square and its environs, as well as public squares in Tettye and the eastern districts of the city will be renewed within the framework of this project.
Integrated rehabilitation of public areas will take place in the concerned areas. Community spaces and playgrounds will be created and green areas, outdoor sports and recreation facilities will be renewed. Drinking-fountains, fountains, water bubblers, quality outdoor furniture and other structures will be placed to upgrade streets and squares. As an impact of the project, beyond preserving the transport function of public areas, they will evolve into community spaces and meeting places; offer opportunities for spending free-time, as well as for holding various events. These developments will also have a spin-off effect: retail trade and the catering industry will liven up, residents will bond more strongly to their home and tourism will be given a boost. Improving pedestrian and bicycle traffic conditions by making traffic conditions safer, more rational, ensuring handicap access and minimising vehicle traffic is an extremely important consideration during the course of these transformations.
The construction of the Zsolnay Cultural District implies the rebirth of a 5-hectare industrial site, which survived as an enclosure, in the form of a cultural centre with the help of EU funding amounting to 9.25 billion HUF. According to the long-term strategy adopted by the city, the development of cultural tourism and industrial sectors building on knowledge bases represent break-out points; this project is explicitly opening towards such development avenues. It builds on the Zsolnay traditions and the cultural and scientific capital of the University of Pécs, the operation of which institution is currently highly restricted by its scattered infrastructure located on a small area. Cultural and educational institutions financed by the local government and currently operating in rundown buildings would also be accommodated in the new district.
Buildings with an area of 40,000 square metres will be renewed and extensions of 5,000 square metres will be built to these within the framework of the project. Residents of Pécs will be able to enjoy the new multifunctional events space and exhibition area, use the adjacent two-level parking lot and pedestrian bridge or take pleasure in the rebirth of 11,000 square metres of green areas, parks and the square with special decorative tiles.
New districts separated according to functions will be created by renewing the Zsolnay Factory site. Facilities generally tying in with the Zsolnay family, the factory and artisanship, as well as connecting shops and catering venues will be concentrated in the Craft District. The Pécs Youth Centre, Contemporary Art Centre, Laboratory Cooperative, as well as further additional catering venues will be accommodated in the Art District, where a large-size community space suitable for organising cultural festivals will also be created. In the Children’s and Family District the interactive scientific and technological exhibition and the visitor area of the Planetarium links up to Pécs Gallery, and the Bóbita (Pappus) Puppet Theatre will move into the Green House where productions can from now on also be presented on an open-air stage. The Art Faculty, Department of Communication and Media Sciences and the Film Science and Visual Culture Workshop of the University of Pécs, as well as the University Theatre will move to the University District. A visitor centre with management offices and an adjacent parking lot will provide information on these thematic districts.
The Zsolnay Cultural District is preparing to host an annual 200,000 visitors. By implementing this project, the historic buildings of the Zsolnay Factory, which are currently in a rundown state, will evolve into a recreation area and lively cultural district pooling cultural, artistic and educational functions.