New, prominent area to be born in the heart of Budapest – PHOTOS
The government has opened a two-round, open, international architectural design contest for the complete refurbishment of Nyugati Railway Station and its surroundings. They invited 12 architectural firms to the tender to renovate the 44-hectare area.
Balázs Fürjes, Minister of State for Budapest and the Development of the Capital’s Metropolitan Area, announced that the government has opened its tender for the renewal of Nyugati Railway Station and its surroundings. This investment is closely aligned with the Budapest Agglomeration Railway Strategy and the Danube Tunnel Project, writes 24. You can read our previous article about the new underground railway tunnel HERE.
Operational areas at Nyugati Railway Station
Balázs Fürjes, as well as Dávid Vitézy, the CEO of Budapest Development Agency, and Róbert Homolya, the Chairman-CEO of MÁV (Hungarian State Railways), discussed the details of the tender at a press conference on Wednesday. They explained that
Nyugati Railway Station and its operational areas are some of the most valuable development areas of the city centre. With its renewal, an area of 23.5 hectares could gain a completely new function in the heart of Budapest.
Photo: www.facebook.com/furjesbalazsbp
Currently, it is the busiest railway station in the country, with 18 million passengers a year. However, the safety equipment is outdated, and the condition of the tracks has deteriorated. Furthermore, the switches are still operated manually, writes Nyugatitervpályázat. Also, the surroundings of the station are densely populated, with only a few parks and green areas.
Design tasks
The task of the contestants is rather complex, requiring a holistic approach. The winning design team has to have extensive knowledge, experience, and creativity to execute this complex urban planning task. First, contestants have to design the new deep-level station and the surface platform hall, including the platforms and the canopies. The deep-level station will be built so that it can be connected to the railway tunnel under the Danube.
With this refurbishment, the capacity of the railway station will double.
Photo: www.facebook.com/furjesbalazsbp
Photo: www.facebook.com/furjesbalazsbp
The next step is the renewal of the Eiffel Hall, with the aim of
converting the monumental hall into a traversable and exciting public space.
The comprehensive renovation also has to take the Danube tunnel and the M5 metro line into consideration. This requires the construction of an underground deep station underneath the surface tracks of the Eiffel hall, as well as the hall itself.
Brand-new Danube bridge plans enter next stage
Lastly, within the framework of the project, new pedestrian and bicycle connections will be established in the direction of the City Park and across the 6th and 13th districts. Also, new public parks and buildings will be built near Podmaniczky Street and in the operating areas behind Ferdinand Bridge.
In conclusion, a completely new area will be born in the heart of Budapest, with quality green areas and a modern, 21st-century railway station. With its world-class architecture and services, the renewed Nyugati Railway Station will become the number one hub of the Hungarian railway network.
4 Comments
Super!
Exciting.
What ever the end result of this massive project, what it Delivers – to me from an Architectural Perspective – the above ground – Visible to ALL – should capture the architectural style and period of the Nyugati Railway Station.
West End – escapes its architectural style of variance differance as we predominantly view it from a side perspective, by out and in trains to Nyugati or from Vaci ut.
West End front entrance – from near station platforms – and the Magnificent Royal Waiting Room – is “smallish” and can be, to a degree dismissed – as to the lack of compatability or “respect” for the Nyugati Railway Station.
My opinion would be differant, if it was decided to demolish the Nyugati Railway Station – Eiffel Hall, and build totally from scratch – a new Western Railway Public Transport Station Complex, posssible along lines similar to Berlins Hauptbahnhof, especially the main under cover glassed arrival/departure train shed.
Paddington Station in London – its “new life” – what was acheived in it’s transformation into the modern era of Railways and Transport – public use, is commendable – architecturally respectful/tasteful and appeeling/engaging.
The space for this developement will allow it’s use – to be enjoyed by all – for what ever the purpose of using this space BUT – the architectural design(s) of – out buildings – away from the main facade of Nyugati Railway Station – incorporated built into this complex – must be of style that are period – in line with the present Nyugati Railway Station.
Wonderful to see in a “dummy” photoprint – in this article – the removal of the – VILE – overpass at the Szent Istvan Korut /Vaci ut – front of Nyugati Railway Station.
We know plans are in place for its DEMOLISHING.
Extension of present tram routes from Deak Ferenc terminal – are planned being Trams – 47,48 & 49 – to run from Deak Ferenc – present terminus – up Bajcsy Zsilinszky ut – to Nyugati Railway Station.
Very Exciting project.
ARCHITECTURE please – not like that “tin” shed whale tail or whatever it is – on the Duna embakement.
The joy and excitement of our vast efficiently run and Managed Tram network in Budapest – is through – which not ALL – the Cities of the World possess – is its Interconnectedness.
If – in time – the present tram route we know for the 47,48 & 49 trams – terminating at Deak Ferenc terminus – was extended as is proposed – along Bajcsy Zsilinszky ut – to Nyugati Railway Station – this could be CONSIDERED.
Lehel ter – the present terminal of the 12 & 14 Trams – is a very old tired lady.
The Lehal Market – vibrant and will grow again in user numbers – citizens who use public transport – metro included, but mainly those on buses motor and trolley buses – are subjected to conditions that are TIRED.
It could be considered to run the 12 & 14 trams – through to Nyugati.
It would take track work re-construction at Lehal ter to run the lines down Vaci ut to Nyugati Railway Station but in this day and age – that is possible.
It happened in the long distant past – but it did happen – trams via Lehal ter onto Nyugati Railway Station – possible the 12 & 14 – but no certainty on trams numbers, on that “old” route.
If the 12 & 14 trams extended route was to Nyugati Railway Station – up and down – Vaci ut – via Lehal ter – Lehal Market – similar set up could be developed like at Deak Ferenc – that the lines joined say West End Side of Nyugati Railway Station – that would permit trams to end there run or continue to Lehal ter – as what happens at Deak Fereak – and commence there new trip.
Remember – its a Government statement – the OVERPASS – at Nyugati – the ugly motor vehicle & other – is GOING to be Felled and Motor Traffic & other – back down to Ground Leval.
If – the 12 & 14 tram route was continued on from Lehal ter- Lehal Market – down Vaci ut and the extension of the 47,48 & 49 tram line extended – as the Government say it will be – from Deak Ferenc – up Bajcsz Zsilinszky ut to Nyugati Railway Station – why not – JOIN – the lines.
It would be deeply questionable from an economic and FUTURE needs of tram extension and usage – if trams – 47,48 & 49 – finished at end of Bajcsz Zsilinszky/Nygati Railway Station – and the 12 & 14 trams – finished on the West End Shopping Plaza side of Nygati Railway Station.
The at “ground leval” motor vehicle & “other” traffic – running through Vaci ut – Bajcsz Zsilinszky – up and down the parts of the Grand Boulevard – that run in the front of Nygati Railway Station – the motor vehicle & “other” – with the traffic light 21st century advanced systems – available to-day – to have Trams running – 4 & 6 – 47,48 & 49 and the 12 & 14 – across and through this Major Intersection – is MANAGEABLE and Possible.
I have not at ALL forgotten our excellent – Metro System – especially line 3 – which my ideas and suggestions – do run in parallel or similar directions and places.
Public Transport – why do we have it ?
Answer – to move people around our City and Districts – the PEOPLES Mover ///
Big Word and takes a bit of Digestion is – Interconnectedness – BUT we are to such a Large Degree – BLESSED – to have this in Budapest, Hungary – to build and further develope our wonderful Tram Public System
Globally – Trams re-introduced into Cities & Towns – like Rail Travel – ARE – having – a BELATED – Renaissance.
Exciting.
Do something in Debrecen as well.