Palace District in Józsefváros (8th District) to Be Filled with Life 6 May 2010
The former “exclusive magnate quarter” in the centre of Budapest, namely the palace district in the 8th District known as Józsefváros, will be renewed by summer 2011 with the help of EU funding amounting to nearly 900 million HUF within the framework of an investment costing over a total of 1.6 billion HUF to complete. This investment not only paves the way to the renewal of the eclectic Art Nouveau buildings and public spaces in this district, but will also fill the heart of Józsefváros with new life.
Urban rehabilitation programmes are prioritised as regards making use of resources granted by the European Union. A total of 24.5 billion HUF was allocated for urban rehabilitation programmes over the 2004-2006 period within the framework of the National Development Plan, whilst, within the framework of the New Hungary Development Plan, a total of 270 billion HUF has been made available for implementing urban rehabilitation projects over the 2007-2013 period. Between 2007 and 2010 alone, Hungary has the opportunity to invest 8 times the framework, i.e., approximately 200 billion HUF, allocated for this purpose within the framework of NDP I for renewing settlements in various regions. This funding, among others, enables the renewal of the centre of Sopron, Szeged, Kaposvár, Debrecen, Nyíregyháza, Veszprém or Zalaegerszeg; moreover, the new high street in the downtown precinct of Budapest in the 5th District was also completed at the beginning of April from funding made available from this framework as a part of the Heart of Budapest Programme.
The centre of Budapest will be made even more attractive with the help of EU funding, this time round in Józsefváros, the 8th District of Budapest, by implementing the “Budapest Downtown of Europe Cultural and Economic Development Programme” costing a total of 1 billion 908 million HUF to complete. According to concepts, the protected building located at 13 Horánszky Street will be renewed. Once its reconstruction is completed, this building will function as a student and business development centre and information point, a sort of intellectual hub for students in this district. In addition, the offices equipped with modern facilities will function as an incubator house for young enterprises operating in the creative industrial sector.
Moreover, an integrated pedestrian and mixed traffic public space system will be introduced in Gyulai Pál Street, Kőfaragó Street, Horánszky Street, Mária Street and certain points of Gutenberg Square as a part of this programme to be implemented with the help of EU funding amounting to 898 million HUF; in addition spotlights will be placed on the facades of several grand buildings in the district.
This programme is much more than simply facade renewal. The so-called “Special Markets Project” also demonstrates this well, which, according to plans, will fill Józsefváros with life by helping local businesses to promote their activities at stalls set up in public spaces. This is how Gutenberg Square – worthy of its name - will from time to time evolve into a book market, whilst Palace District Markets envisaged on Mikszáth Square, Lőrinc Pap Square and Pollack Mihály Square, will be used to promote products made and services offered by local businesses.
The formation of so-called “street associations” integrating local businesses, retail traders and entrepreneurs actively involved in the catering industry will also be promoted as a part of this programme. The aim of these associations relates to creating a shopper-friendly environment in the district, hence helping to attract new businesses and shops offering unique products to Józsefváros.