Detailed plans have been completed for the renewal of the tree-lined Grand Boulevard, with new trees, rainwater-management solutions and other green infrastructure planned along the route.

No trees to be removed for construction

The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has completed permit-level plans for the renewal of the tree-lined sections of the Grand Boulevard, one of Budapest’s best-known urban thoroughfares. The plans cover the section between Nyugati Square and Boráros Square, where around 600 trees currently stand. According to the plans, none of these trees will be removed for construction purposes.

Where trees do have to be replaced because of their condition, however, the city plans to plant at least three new trees for every tree that cannot be saved.

“The aim is to make the existing tree lines healthier in the long term,” said Sándor Bardóczi, Budapest’s chief landscape architect.

“We will not cut down a single tree on the Grand Boulevard for construction reasons, and for every tree that cannot be saved, we will plant at least three. One in its original location and the others elsewhere along the boulevard. We will also create new tree lines in places where there are no trees at all today,” he said.

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Photo: BKK

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Fewer tree replacements thanks to targeted interventions

According to BKK, the design process has focused on keeping tree replacements to a minimum. Several dozen trees will receive targeted interventions intended to extend their lifespan, allowing trees that are still valuable and attractive to remain in place.

As a result, replacements will only be carried out where they are unavoidable because of the condition of a tree, and the number of trees requiring replacement is expected to remain below 10 per cent of the existing stock.

The species selected for the renewed and new tree lines have also been chosen with both the existing appearance of the boulevard and climate change in mind. Where trees are being replaced within existing rows, visual consistency is an important consideration. For new tree lines, including those planned on Ferenc Boulevard, species better suited to changing climate conditions will have a greater role.

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Photo: BKK

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New green infrastructure and rainwater management

The plans go beyond replacing trees. Budapest also intends to expand green areas along several sections of the Grand Boulevard. The city plans to introduce modern rainwater-management solutions and green infrastructure based on “sponge city” principles. These are intended to help create better conditions for trees and other vegetation to develop over the long term.

The goal is to increase the number of trees along the boulevard while also giving existing tree lines better conditions in which to survive and grow.

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Photo: BKK

Residents can inspect the plans in October

BKK says it considers local involvement an important part of the Grand Boulevard project. Previous public consultations attracted the views of thousands of Budapest residents. Four public walks will now be held in October, giving residents and other interested people the opportunity to examine the plans on site.

Tree assessment specialists will explain the current condition of the trees, why certain trees need to be replaced and where new trees and tree lines could be created. The planned dates are:

  • 7 October, 5 PM – Angyal István Park, District 9
  • 8 October, 5 PM – corner of Corvin köz and József Boulevard, District 8
  • 13 October, 5 PM – in front of 53 Erzsébet Boulevard, District 7
  • 14 October, 5 PM – Nyugati Square, in front of the fountain, District 6

The public walks will also provide an opportunity to learn more about the tree species selected for the project and the criteria used to determine which existing trees can be preserved or need to be replaced.