National
Development Agency

The development projects received over 4.2 billion HUF funding from the European Union; the total cost amounts to 5.3 billion HUF. Laying the foundation for these two projects marks the continuation of Budapest’s renewal process, the first spectacular part of which, the “Main Street of the city centre”, was completed in April.

The main goal of the Heart of Budapest Programme is to strengthen the cultural, commercial and administrative role of the historic centre of the city. The development is supported by the European Regional Development Fund. The success can be credited to the cooperation of the Municipality of Budapest, the 5th district’s Local Government and the Hungarian Government. The project was given priority status by the Government in 2008. The strategic goal of the project is to establish the right conditions for pedestrians and cyclists by reducing the heavy transit car traffic and returning the central area to those living and working here and to the tourists. As a result of the project, the atmosphere of the centre will be transformed, the air will be less polluted, and the heart of Budapest will be more attractive and liveable with the creation of pedestrian streets, parks, avenues, quality community spaces, new hospitality establishments and terraces. Road surfaces and paving, street furniture, lighting and public utilities will be renewed, too. There will also be big changes in parking and transport.

During the first phase of the establishment of the Attractive Gateway Area, public utilities will be reconstructed in the area between Anker köz and Astoria in several stages. After completion of this area the next phase of the project is the reconstruction of the public space in Károly körút, as a result of which the downtown area will be renewed from Astoria all the way to Deák tér. The most visible element of this project is the new traffic system of this hub; for example two new surface pedestrian crossings will be created. The number of lanes will be reduced, and as a result the pavements in front of the buildings will be wider, which will create the opportunity to open restaurant terraces. The stretch of Károly körút between Dohány utca and Astoria remains 2x2 lane, but between Dohány utca and Deák tér an 8-metre-wide green area will be created, giving the Kiskörút a similar atmosphere to Andrássy út. This means that the present three lanes in each direction will be reduced to only two. The public utilities and the road surface will be completely replaced, and the plants and lighting will be new, too. The Tourinform office in Sütő utca will be renovated; the heating and air conditioning as well as the electricity systems will be modernised and made more energy-efficient, and obstacle-free access provided. The total budget of the first phase of the Attractive Gateway Area exceeds 3.1 billion HUF, of which over 2.6 billion is financed by the European Union.

The construction works for the “First phase of the Bridgehead areas and the New Pest Corso” have also started; the Pest bridgehead of Elisabeth Bridge and the Danube Corso linked to it will be renovated.

In the first phase, the Roman ruins of Contra-aquincum in the northern part of Március 15. tér will be reconstructed, together with its exhibition area. The Piarist building will also be renewed; shops, services and hospitality establishments will be opened on the ground floor. The current parking area will be joined with the park nearby, and it will be possible to pass along Piarista köz on foot. For pedestrians and cyclists new trees and plants will be planted and a bicycle path will be built. The traffic will also be reorganised later, during the second phase of the Fő utca (Main Street) project, which also includes the reorganisation of Ferenciek tere. The first phase of the project costs 2.2 billion HUF, with EU funding of 1.6 billion HUF. According to plans, the first phase of the bridgehead areas and the new Pest Corso will be finished by spring 2011.

In connection with these developments, big changes are to be expected in the transport system in the city centre. Some of these changes are temporary, adjusting to the schedule of the construction works. However, after the work is finished, the old transport system will not return, since one of the main goals is to substantially reduce car traffic in the centre of Budapest. Pavement surfaces will increase; conditions for pedestrians and cyclists will be much safer and more comfortable.