Public outrage: Will the government take a small part from Budapest Zoo?

Under bold government plans to reshape the city, Budapest Zoo’s area might transform. A proposed land swap would free up space for a new circus arts centre, while the Nyugati station and the long-delayed Biodome also face redevelopment. However, funding and local government cooperation remain key challenges.

Major urban development plans

As Népszava reports, the Hungarian government is considering major urban development projects following a meeting of the Terézváros Council. Among the key proposals is a new circus arts centre, which could be built on land currently occupied by the Budapest Circus, adjacent to the Budapest Zoo. The government is exploring options for the state to manage both the new circus and the long-delayed Biodome project. Meanwhile, plans are underway to redevelop Budapest’s Nyugati railway station, with a feasibility study commissioned to assess relocating tracks and modernising the area for commercial use.

Land exchange with Budapest Zoo

A significant proposal includes creating a green corridor along Podmaniczky Road, potentially linking Teréz Boulevard with City Park. However, space constraints around the Budapest Circus have raised concerns about where the new facility would be located. Ministerial Commissioner Balázs Norbert Kovács has suggested an innovative land exchange: expanding the Budapest Zoo into railway land behind the circus in return for space needed for the new circus arts centre. If approved, this could provide both institutions with opportunities for growth while preserving their functions.

Difficulties in negotiating

Further infrastructure changes include the planned demolition of Ferdinánd Bridge, with alternative solutions being explored for public transport, cycling, and pedestrian routes. The ambitious vision of undergrounding Nyugati station’s tracks remains costly, though integrating it with other infrastructure renovations may make it more attainable. While local authorities, including Mayor Tamás Soproni, welcome dialogue with the government, some remain sceptical, given past difficulties in negotiating public space development. Nonetheless, with the deadline for proposals closing, the project’s fate now rests on government and municipal cooperation.

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