A new event industry analysis by AUCTORIS has raised serious concerns about the summer operation of Budapest’s Pest lower embankment, warning that the popular riverside initiative could lead to safety, tourism and transport problems if stricter controls are not introduced.
The report argues that the “RAKPART” summer riverside programme should not be treated simply as a public recreation space, but rather as a large-scale nighttime event environment involving alcohol consumption, hospitality services, music programmes and thousands of visitors.
According to the analysis, the combination of dense pedestrian traffic, open flames from grilling stations, late-night operation and the lack of protective barriers along parts of the Danube riverfront creates a potentially dangerous situation.
Open flames and riverside risks
The report cites incidents in which hot embers from open-flame grills were allegedly thrown into plastic waste bins, causing them to catch fire. Analysts say such situations cannot be dismissed as isolated inconveniences in a crowded riverside setting where alcohol is also present.
Tóth Mihály, founder of the consultancy behind the report, said the issue was not the idea of a car-free embankment itself, but the absence of what he described as “event-level safety control”, including approved evacuation plans, unified operational management and a clearly defined chain of responsibility.
The analysis also highlights the risks posed by barrier-free sections of the riverbank. In crowded nighttime conditions, a stumble, medical emergency or alcohol-related accident near the water could quickly become life-threatening, particularly if emergency access routes are obstructed by traffic restrictions.
Tourism image of Budapest could suffer
The report argues that the situation could also damage Budapest’s tourism reputation. The Pest lower embankment is one of the capital’s key tourism areas, serving sightseeing boat passengers, hotel ships and visitors enjoying the UNESCO-listed Danube panorama.
However, the analysis claims that public urination, waste problems, homeless people searching through rubbish, transport disruption and difficulties accessing hotel ships undermine the quality visitor experience that Budapest’s tourism strategy aims to promote.
It also points to conflicts between the city’s ambitions for high-quality, culture-based tourism and what it describes as the embankment’s increasingly “party district-like” atmosphere during summer evenings.
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Questions over responsibility
One of the report’s strongest criticisms concerns what it calls a fragmented responsibility structure. Multiple stakeholders are involved in the project, including city authorities, public space managers, event organisers, hospitality operators, transport authorities, security services and tourism stakeholders.
The analysis warns that in the event of a serious emergency, the critical question would not be how many organisations participated in preparations, but who has the authority to immediately order evacuations, shutdowns, emergency communication and rescue operations.
The consultancy stressed that it is not calling for the closure of the riverside programme, but for the immediate introduction and documentation of minimum safety measures. These would include a clearly designated operational leader, approved evacuation and fire safety plans, secured rescue routes, waterfront protections and a publicly transparent responsibility framework.
OMG, Mihaly, unclench. Another “nonprofit” blowhard justifying his existence and funding by finding solutions in need of problems.
Not EVERYTHING needs to be monitored and controlled by the government.
If grown adults are not able to behave as actual adults, then let them fall into the river, burn themselves, or whatever.
Though, I wish it could just be left alone, there are some valid concerns. I’ve worked in the corporate meetings and events industry for many years, and the issue of safety is a top concern, including evaluation plans. And the tourism factor is a consideration as the decision was made to focus on high-value customers versus cheap party weekends. Tourism brings a lot of money into the economy. Yes, many tourists would appreciate the fun, but some plans need to be made and financed for clean-up, safety, and, in some circumstances, crowd control.
The Summer Riverfront Project along the Duna – the “Rakparks” – between the bridges exampled being the “Szechenyi” – Clarke Adams – Chain Bridge and “Franz Joseph hid” – Liberty or the Freedom Bridge – what history – our beloved bridges hold – the concept of the Summer Riverfront Project = FANTASTIC idea.
Tourist will LOVE it.
Budapestians / Hungarians – we should and NEED to LOVE it.
The location of it looking out across to Buda, the Castle – up and down the Duna, the river-ships and “other” craft – ferries using the “moror-ways” of our beloved Duna.
WHEN can we EXPECT = Public Ferries re-introduced on the Duna ???
REMEMBER them – that through Covid – cost and “other” arguments Budapest Council, the Orban “mob” – the funding “share” in cost – the tendering of Ferry contracts = it ALL just FELL into a cataclysmic MESS – Disgraceful.
Public Ferries over century’s are in the FACE, the history of the Duna in operating under our MAGNIFICENT historic bridges stopping at as they did our rakpark – “Vigardo” translated ironically to English being a Place of Merriment – from our historic Vigardo – Concert Hall – and numerous other(s) rakpark stops made on the public ferry services.
We loved once or twice on the Public Ferry with LARGE numbers always in the summer months going up the Duna to what we called the “island” – embarking off the public ferry walking through the large “moored” ferry that acted as a “floating” hotel “in kind” – then onto the island filled along the Duna with eating places and HUMAN life – Hungarians and TOURIST = FAMILIES -enjoying the pleasant setting atmosphere.
The Public Ferry trip say – 60 minutes from our Vigardo, rakpark – on the Duna – Delightful and back with the setting of the sun, the approach of our beloved capital city – like a Masterful Painting.
Crestfallen – when we in the Covid time visited “our island” using public bus and train services to visit, witnessed its DEVASTATION – through the Covid “slaughter” on our and to our beloved Hungarians and Hungary.
Place of Merriment = the lower PROMENADE – we can MAKE it HAPPEN.
The colour and movement of LIFE = on the Duna, on the ‘Lower Promenade” – JOYOUS.
WE reside being “aged” in regi posta utca 1052 – and embrace this concept – in this new time and age we VENTURE into in Hungary, new Government, younger, that will LISTEN to us its people / citizens – not TELLING us what to do how to live our lives, that for (20) twenty years the “ill-fated” heinous Government of Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Party = POWERED – over US as people as a country.
Lets get out – tighten aspects of it security, public facilities even safety aspects – but embrace support it – be it a SIGN of Welcoming to our National Capital – our country Hungary.
WE must be Welcoming but in saying that – our Laws – be respected and adhered to and NOT abused by firstly Hungarians and ALL – who visit.