construction

Hungarian development policy to focus on South

development

Development policy decisions in the near future will focus on southern Hungary, especially the cities of Pécs and Szeged, the regional developmental minister said in Szeged on Tuesday.

Addressing a forum of the Csongrád-Csanád Chamber of Commerce, Tibor Navracsics said measures in recent years had successfully given momentum to eastern and north-eastern Hungary. Policy decisions will now focus on the south, where demographic decline has coincided with slow economic development, he said.

At a Serbian-Hungarian government session in Palic, in Serbia, the governments coordinated projects of infrastructure development, he said. Among other plans, they discussed the construction of a motorway in northern Serbia which would ease the traffic on Hungary’s M5 highway and join the Hungarian road network at Mohács, he said.

While Hungary has successfully used sectoral development programmes to boost its economy, outstrip Greece and catch up with Portugal in the past years, “we have now exhausted the opportunities in centralised development policies”. A regional approach will have to return, he said.

The ministry is now working on “muster development plans” to submit to the government, he said. The regions impacted include Zalaegerszeg, the region of south-west Hungary, and the cities of Veszprém and Székesfehérvár, he added. A regional development plan is in the making for the southern regions of the Great Plain, he added.

A new construction and investment law will safeguard guarantees and high quality works, he said in response to a question.

Hungary’s construction sector is in big trouble, new official figures show

construction

Output of Hungary’s construction sector fell by 6.0 percent year-on-year in September, after edging down 0.1 percent in the previous month, data released by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) on Monday show.

Output of the buildings segment dropped by 9.5 percent but civil engineering output edged up by 0.4 percent, KSH says.

In absolute terms, construction sector output reached 732 billion forints (EUR 1.9bn) in September. The buildings segment accounted for 60 percent of the total.

In a month-on-month comparison, construction sector output slipped by 1.8 percent, adjusted for seasonal and workday effects.

Order stock was 30.6 percent lower at the end of September than twelve months earlier.

Buildings segment orders were down by 13.4 percent and civil engineering orders dropped by 42.6 percent.

New orders fell by 32.0 percent during the period. New orders in the buildings segment were down by 43.9 percent and new civil engineering orders decreased by 2.7 percent.

Construction sector output fell by 4.7 percent in January-September from the base period.

We published a week ago about the unstoppable decline in housing construction in Hungary, details HERE.

As we wrote earlier, the Hungarian government found its autumn enemy in the business world. From September, the Orbán administration will take further steps against foreign building material manufacturing companies, details HERE.

Beautiful art nouveau hotel of Hungary is finally being renovated

Palatinus Pécs

It’s no secret that the Hotel Palatinus in Pécs is breathtaking in its beauty. It’s a widely renowned establishment that has been graced by the likes of Béla Bartók and the Habsburg family. Now, the current owners have decided it’s time for a renovation.

Read more about renovations happening around Hungary HERE and HERE.

How it all began

Over a century ago, in the heart of Hungary’s most Mediterranean city, Palatinus opened its doors. Back then, it bore the name Pannonia Grand Hotel. The hotel was Imre Hamerli’s idea, who came from the famous “Pécs gloves” dynasty and was quite affluent, a stroke of luck given the grand scale of the hotel. The architectural plans for the hotel were crafted by Andor Pilch, often regarded as Pécs’s answer to Gaudí.

The hotel found its place on Király Street, where the dynasty’s house once stood. It was demolished in 1913, and by 1915, the Hotel stood in its place. This was wondrously fast work considering the country was embroiled in World War I during that period.

The Hotel quickly became one of the most elite spots in Pécs. It boasted a grandiose ballroom, a cigar room and 70 spacious guest rooms, not to mention the elegant café and restaurant. The hotel, with its eccentric Art Nouveau style, attracted a diverse array of high- end personalities. In 1923, Bartók graced the impressive ballroom with a concert, and Habsburg royalty stayed in the luxurious guest rooms. But it wasn’t just royalty; among other notable guests, the Palatinus welcomed José Carrera and Plácido Domingo.

In 1975, it underwent renovation and was rebranded as Palatinus. Since its opening it has kept its original shine and prestige. Now, it’s on the cusp of yet another renovation, after which it’s bound to be even more opulent than ever.

Palatinus Pécs

Phases of renovation

The renovation contract was assigned to Ypsilon Vállalkozási Ltd., and the initial phase of the renovation will start on 3 January. The renovation project has a budget of HUF 2 billion (EUR 5,287,452.82). The renovation must proceed while the facility continues to operate partially.

According to this article, the renovation will encompass the second to sixth floors and all flat and pitched roofs. This comprehensive scope of work includes tasks such as demolition, structural construction, partitioning, floor preparation, plastering and installation of windows and doors. Additionally, there will be fire and waterproofing, reconstruction of flat ceilings, renovation of pitched ceilings and the creation of a walkable surface for the roof terrace.
Sadly, the property does not have national or local individual protection status, but it holds special significance in terms of the city’s aesthetic. This means that Ypsilon Vállalkozási Ltd. will need to plan the renovation carefully to preserve the urban character of Pécs.

One of Hungary’s largest universities to expand with a new campus in the city centre

Pázmány university

Pázmány University in Hungary is expanding with a new campus located in the heart of Budapest. The project entails the removal of eight buildings covering an area of 33,000 square metres.

Demolition of the former Hungarian Radio building

The former Hungarian Radio building in Budapest is to be demolished. A public procurement procedure has been initiated for the Pázmány Campus site. In Budapest’s eighth district, within the area bordered by Bródy Sándor Street, Pollack Mihály Square and Múzeum Street, eight buildings still stand. These structures will need to be either fully or partially demolished during the construction of the new campus, for which a public procurement process has been launched. The tender submission period remains open until 7 December, and the demolition of the buildings is planned to take approximately 240 days.

The documents highlights the necessity to demolish seven of the eight buildings. The eighth building will be taken down during the construction phase, with the aim of preserving as much of the street frontage as possible. It’s worth noting that the buildings in the Palace Quarter neighbourhood with historical monument status will remain unaffected by these works, as reported by magyarepitok.hu. The following buildings are subject to demolition according to official documents:

  • Building B/1: Former five-storey office building of the Hungarian Radio, boiler house, bunker.
  • Building D/1: Bródy Sándor 5-7. once served as the Hungarian Radio.
  • Building D/2 – D/8: Archive, studios, garage and workshop.

The office building holds the largest floor area, covering 8,400 square metres, and the tender seeks the removal of around 7,600 cubic metres of demolished material.

After demolition comes construction

The demolition area in the Palace Quarter, spanning 32,600 square metres, is expected to generate approximately 37,500 cubic metres of debris. According to the district newspaper, this will require roughly 1,630 truckloads for removal. The areas to be cleared will be replaced by the new Pázmány University campus. The overall cost of the project is estimated to reach HUF 200 billion (EUR 5,288,953.54).

The main evaluation criterion in the tender is the price. However, noise and vibration levels are also important. The Pázmány Péter Catholic University (PPKE) has been operating in a dispersed manner in the Hungarian capital but will now consolidate its operations under a unified campus. The real estate is owned by the Hungarian Episcopal Faculty, responsible for maintaining the university. The project also encompasses the restoration of buildings behind the National Museum, including the Esterházy Palace and the Károlyi Palace, which is in a state of severe disrepair.
The new campus is set to open in 2027.

Unstoppable decline in housing construction in Hungary

construction

The number of home building permits issued in Hungary fell by 42.7 percent year-on-year to 14,894 in the first three quarters of this year, data released by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) on Monday show.

According to KSH, 10,808 homes were taken into use in the country, 21% fewer than a year earlier. In Budapest, there was a 29% drop, with 3,234 dwellings built. The number of dwellings built fell by 37% in the county seats, by 8.6% in other cities and by 8.1% in villages compared to the same period in 2022.

The number of dwellings built by businesses fell by 22% and those built by natural persons by 16% compared to Q1-Q3 2022

Of the dwellings put into use in new residential buildings, 50% were in detached houses, 43% in multi-family buildings and 3.4% in residential complexes.

The share of owner-occupied dwellings was 38%, and the share built for sale was 60%.

The average floor area of dwellings put into use increased by 4 m2 to 97.8 m2.

The number of dwellings handed over decreased in all regions compared to the same period in 2022, with the largest decrease in Northern Hungary (63%) and the smallest in the Pest region (1.6%).

The number of dwellings handed over fell by 19% in Central Hungary, 13% in Transdanubia and 36% in the Great Plain and North statistical large region.

The number of dwellings to be built on the basis of building permits and simple declarations was 14,894, 43% fewer than in the first three quarters of 2022. 34% of the new dwellings are planned to be built in the capital. Construction sentiment has declined in all settlement categories. Downwards in the hierarchy of municipalities, the decline is increasing: 39% fewer dwellings are planned in the county seats and in the capital, 43% fewer in other cities, and 49% fewer in villages.

The number of dwellings to be built on the basis of building permits and simple declarations decreased in all parts of the country. At the regional level, the largest decrease occurred in Southern Transdanubia (57%), including Baranya county (67%). The number of building permits for dwellings decreased by 50% in both the Pest and Western Transdanubian regions.

At the level of statistical large regions, the decline in the number of planned dwellings was 43% in Central Hungary, 47% in Transdanubia, and 31% in Great Plain and North.

Compared to the same period in 2022, based on the new building permits issued, 43% fewer, a total of 6,297 residential buildings are planned to be built in the country. The number of non-residential buildings planned nationally was 3,070, also down from a year earlier.

As we wrote last week, new government scheme revives Hungary’s property market, the prices will go up soon

Also, we wrote about the record number of foreign buyers in the Hungarian real estate market, details HERE.

PHOTOS: Beautifully renewed Hungarian churches in Transylvania, Romania

Church renovation in Transylvania

Five historic churches in the Alba Iulia (Gyulafehérvár) region, in central Romania, refurbished with financing from the Hungarian government, were inaugurated on Sunday.

The Roman Catholic churches of Dumitreni (Szentdemeter), Beu (Székelybő), Sancraiu de Mures (Marosszentkirály), Racu (Csíkrákos), and Sacaramb (Nagyag) were inaugurated in a mass attended by representatives of the Hungarian construction ministry and the Teleki László Foundation, the manager of the reconstruction projects.

State Secretary Regő Lánszki said in his address at the ceremony that “the house and the homeland must be built on a rock . building a nation requires the safe foundations of a community, that is why the Hungarian government provides assistance to the renewal of historic monuments in the Carpathian Basin”.

Lánszki said the Hungarian parliament could adopt a new historic monuments act, under which a comprehensive register of Hungarian-related historic monuments in the Carpathian Basin would be set up.

Read also:

Here are the photos:

Minister: new Hungarian ammunition factory will be one of Europe’s most important

The ammunition factory currently under construction in Várpalota, in western Hungary, will be of great significance not only for Hungary, but for Europe as a whole, the Hungarian defence minister said in the town at the project’s topping out ceremony on Friday.

Enhancing the defence industry is one of the pillars of Europe’s strategic autonomy Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said at the event. He noted that the factory being built with a budget of 300 billion forints (EUR 775m) will create 1,000-2,000 jobs. The Hungarian government had recognised the challenges facing the Armed Forces and the defence industry years before the war in Ukraine. Those challenges are now reality, he said. The government has created the conditions for responding those challenges and “we are now standing in the middle of a 400 hectare area where one of Europe’s most advanced ammunition factories is under construction”, he said.

Addressing the event, Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for Internal Market, called the project important in enhancing the defence capabilities not only of Hungary, but Europe as a whole, adding that demand for ammunition produced in the plant was expected to be high because of an overall drop in the stocks of EU member states.

Read also:

He commended Hungary for increasing its defence spending to over 2 percent of GDP compared with 1 percent just five years ago. The commissioner said the other 26 member states would all keep up with Hungary which would ultimately mean that Europe should be spending a total of 140 billion euros annually on defence.

Bad news from Hungary’s economy: construction, industry fall

Construction industry

Output of Hungary’s construction sector dropped by 3.8 percent year on year in June, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, industrial output in Hungary fell by an annual 3.8 percent in June after dropping 6.7 percent in the previous month, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Tuesday. 

Output of the buildings segment rose by 7.5 percent, while civil engineering output dropped by 20.5 percent. In absolute terms, construction sector output was worth 629.8 billion forints in June. Month on month, output fell by 1.4 percent, adjusted for seasonal and working-day effects. Construction output fell by 7 percent in January-June from the base period.

Hungary industrial output in June falls 3.8 pc

Industrial output in Hungary fell by an annual 3.8 percent in June after dropping 6.7 percent in the previous month, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Tuesday. Output dropped by 6.1 percent, adjusted for the number of working days. Output of the automotive industry, Hungary’s biggest manufacturing sector, rose by 19.1 percent year on year, picking up from 10.8 percent growth in the previous month, the detailed KSH data shows.

The electrical equipment segment grew by 16.9 percent, while output of the food, drinks and tobacco segment slipped by 11.1 percent. Month on month, output fell by 0.9 percent, according to seasonally and working day-adjusted data. In the January-June period, output dropped by an annual 4.8 percent.

  • HERE are the most popular Hungarian settlements where foreigners buy property

Hungary will rebuild a Croatian school

Hungarian weekend schools

An agreement has been reached between the Hungarian and Croatian governments on funding for the reconstruction of a primary school, with Hungary’s help, in Petrinja in Croatia, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Thursday.

The Croatian government has agreed to contribute the cost of the VAT, or 1.6 billion forints (EUR 4.2m), for the reconstruction of the school with 20 classrooms and a gym which was destroyed by an earthquake in 2020, Szijjarto said on Facebook. He added that earlier in the day, he had discussed the matter with Branko Bacic, Croatia’s minister of construction. The personal involvement of Hungarian ethnic MP Robert Jankovics was essential in resolving the issue, he said.

Hungary was among the first countries to offer its help for damage recovery following the earthquake, and it provided more than 8 billion forints for the project in Petrinja, he said. However, the issue of VAT payment requirement caused a delay, and this has now been resolved, he added.

Government ousts foreign companies in this sector in Hungary

Government ousts foreign companies in this sector in Hungary (Copy)

G7, a Hungarian economy news website, said the Hungarian government found its autumn enemy in the business world. From September, the Orbán administration will take further steps against foreign building material manufacturing companies. The aim is to force them to leave Hungary.

According to G7, that is why the Orbán administration introduced two years ago the so-called mining royalty and extended it this year. In May, they gave the state pre-emption rights for several building materials. Finally, in July, they fined several foreign players in the sector with a carbon-dioxide quota tax.

Hvg.hu wrote that a new bill is in the pipeline, which would give pre-emption rights to the state for not only some building materials but also the companies producing them. Based on the legislation plan of the construction and transport ministry, they will start negotiations about the draft in October. However, the parliament will probably not accept the bill this year.

The draft does not contain it but the government expressed multiple times that they aim to make dominant German and Austrian companies in the construction material production sector leave Hungary. The long-term goal is to carry out construction projects with Hungarian building materials, with the contribution of Hungarian companies. Thus, the profit would be generated for Hungarians. But even János Lázár, the minister responsible for the area, did not mention the Hungarian workforce.

We wrote HERE about the government’s ambitious plans to ease employing hundreds of thousands of guest workers because too many Hungarians work in Austria, Germany, or the United Kingdom and with such low salaries, there is no chance to convince them to come home. Probably that is why Wizz Air is expanding Eastwards and launches regular flight to e.g. Central Asian metropolises.

Foreign companies are already making losses

Mr Lázár said they would like to help Hungarian companies gain market advantage and buy up their foreign competitors. German press also wrote about the Hungarian government’s intentions. In April, Der Spiegel wrote the era of cooperation between the Orbán government and the German companies was over (you can read about it HERE). They quoted a Christian democratic politician, Günther Krichbaum, as saying that the Orbán government tries to reach its goals using mafia methods. First, the administration introduces rules making losses for foreign companies. Then government-close oligarchs appear and make an offer you cannot resist.

The paper mentioned two examples. One is the Duna-Dráva Cement Ltd (owners: Heidelberg Materials and Schwenk Zement), and the other is the E.ON. The owners of the former said they were ready for the fight in a hostile environment. However, the Hungarian government has strong cards in the game, and they utilised some already:

  • From July 2021, companies purchasing for higher prices than the government determined must pay a so-called extra mining royalty taking away 90 percent of their “extra” profit.
  • In February, they extended that scheme to brick, ceramics and tile manufacturers.
  • In May, the Orbán cabinet introduced pre-emption rights for the state concerning 15 products. Thus, foreign companies cannot export them and can get the price difference in court.
  • In July, the government introduced a retroactive CO2 quota tax most foreign companies must pay.

As a result, the profit of the foreign companies began to fall quickly, most companies made even losses. G7 even shared a telling chart about that process. For example, Zalakerámia (in Austrian ownership) already talks about sending away some of its employees.

Interestingly, one of the results is that production has been falling since January. But the government is committed to winning the so-called “cement war”, and expects fierce attacks from Austria and Germany.

PHOTOS: The decorative lighting of Hungary’s Chain Bridge is breathtakingly beautiful

Chain Bridge decorative lighting

Hungary’s astonishing landmark, the Chain Bridge, has been renewed in the past few years. The project involved the modernisation of its decorative lighting. The test period of the new system took place last week. Here are some photos.

According to BKK, Budapest’s public transport provider, the Chain Bridge’s new decorative lighting system will shine warm white most of the year. The new system is energy-efficient and colourful, respecting Hungary’s cultural heritage and history.

Chain Bridge warm white
Photo: FB/BKK

If you are lucky enough, you can even see the decorative lighting of the Chain Bridge since the test period lasts for weeks. Before, the Chain Bridge had 1,180 lamps. Now it has modern LED solutions. Zoltán Erő, Budapest’s chief architect, said the new system is capable of much more than the previous one. Therefore, it needs careful supervision and lots of experimenting. However, they also need to keep enthusiasm in check since the decorative lighting has to represent Hungarian cultural traditions. Therefore, the Chain Bridge will only shine in coloured lighting on national days and just for hours.

Warm white
Photo: FB/BKK

BKK said that pedestrians will get back pavements on either bridgehead from August. Before, the municipal council decided not to let cars back to the bridge. Therefore, only cyclists, pedestrians, buses and taxis will use Hungary’s oldest overpass after the revamp. Here are some more photos:

Hungary’s construction law unconstitutional

Construction sector Hungary

The section of the law on state construction investments the president objected to is unconstitutional, therefore, the law cannot enter into force, according to the Constitutional Court’s resolution published on Thursday.

The law would have applied to state construction investments financed at least 50 percent from state or European Union funds. Some of its detailed and comprehensive rules required approval from two-thirds of MPs, while in some details the law permitted deviation from its own rules, even by ministerial decree.

After the law was approved by parliament earlier this month, President Katalin Novak turned to the Constitutional Court, arguing that the possibility of deviation by ministerial decree empties the statutory regulation and leads to a violation of legal security.

Huge changes in Hungarian public procurement

Public procurement contracts

The value of public procurements in Hungary fell by 54 percent year on year in the first half, to HUF 1,304 billion (EUR 3.45 billion), according to the Public Procurement Authority, while the number of public procurement procedures dropped by 11 percent to 3,478.

The decline was connected to the global crisis, the impact of the war in Ukraine and the “drastic” rise in construction industry prices, László Kovács, the authority’s head, told a press conference.

The value of construction procurements alone dropped to HUF 411 billion (EUR 1.09 billion) from HUF 1,954 billion (EUR 5.17) in the base period, he noted, citing the authority’s latest report.

The share of single-bid procedures was 6 percent for contracts with values below the threshold for inclusion in the EU’s tender system, and 21 percent for contracts with values over the threshold. Those ratios were 8 percent and 31 percent, respectively, when applying the EU’s methodology based on a narrower range of contracts.

Hungary aims to reduce the number of single-bid procurement procedures for contracts with values over the EU tender threshold from 35 percent of the total to below the EU average of around 20 percent, he said.

Featured image: Illustration (Pixabay)

Hungary’s construction sector falling drastically

Construction sector Hungary

Output of Hungary’s construction sector dropped by an annual 12.0 percent in May, falling for the sixth month in a row and at a faster clip, data released by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) on Friday show.

Output of the buildings segment dropped by 13.2 percent and civil engineering output was down 10.0 percent. In a month-on-month comparison, output dropped a seasonally and workday-adjusted 1.7 percent.

VIDEO: New expressway nearly completed connecting Győr with Baroque Hungarian city

New expressway connecting Győr and Pápa

Győr is one of Hungary’s biggest automotive hubs hosting the Audi, which employs tens of thousands of local workers in the region and is a flagship of Hungary’s industry. However, Győr is also an astonishing Hungarian city, worth a visit on your way from Vienna to Budapest or vice versa. It is almost halfway between the two capitals. And soon, you will be able to reach the Baroque pearl of Transdanubia, Pápa, on a brand new expressway.

Thanks to that development, the travel time between Győr and Pápa will considerably shorten. Currently, you need almost 40 minutes to get from one city to the other. Once the new road is inaugurated, the travel time will drop below 30 minutes.

HERE is an article about 6+1 things to do and see while in Pápa.

The video team of Magyar Építők, a Hungarian construction-focused news outlet, went to the construction site and recorded the ongoing works. They wrote that the project was almost at the finish line. The subcontractors are Soltút Plc és a Duna Aszfalt Ltd, two Hungarian construction companies.

The development concerns a 36-kilometres-long section of main road nr 83 connecting Pápa, Hungary’s Baroque pearl, with the city of the bridges, Győr, Transdanubia’s industrial hub. Four “milestones” are left to be completed: painting the road signs, installing the necessary traffic signs, grassing and developing the systems of the operator’s telecommunication.

PHOTOS: New hotels to be built in Hungary’s second most populous town

debrecen hungary

Three existing hotels and five new hotels are currently under construction in Debrecen, Hungary’s second most populous city. For some projects, the hand-over date has already been set, while for others the contractor is still being sought or plans are awaited.

Óbester Hotel to be called Hotel Debrecen

hotel óbester debrecen
Hotel Óbester, Debrecen. Source: hotel-obester.hotels-hajduszoboszlo-hungary.com

According to haon.hu, the Óbester Hotel in Debrecen is undergoing a complete transformation. The aim is to turn the property, built in 2008, into a hotel that is comfortable for business people and a cosy place for families.

In addition to the energy modernisation, the rooms, corridors and reception area will be renewed and the number of parking spaces in the inner courtyard will be increased. The work should be completed in the first quarter of 2024. The new design will bring with it a new name: in the future, the hotel will be called Hotel Debrecen.

Hotel Lycium Debrecen

Hotel Lycium Debrecen
Hotel Lycium Debrecen. Photo: FB/Hotel Lycium**** Debrecen

The energy modernisation of Hotel Lycium Debrecen is underway. The downtown hotel has been closed since November 2022. Zsuzsanna Szerdi, the director, told the portal that they hope to complete the work by autumn and welcome guests again.

Hotel Aranybika

aranybika golden bull hotel in debrecen
Visual plans for the renovation of the Hotel Aranybika in Debrecen. Source: Napur Építésziroda

Hotel Aranybika is also undergoing renovation. However, it is far from being at such an advanced stage of development. The property was purchased by Mathias Corvinus Collegium in 2021 and is currently used for educational purposes.

New hotels to be built in Debrecen

There also seems to be a demand for new hotels, with a total of five expected to open in the near future in Debrecen.

Hilton Garden Inn Debrecen City Center

Hilton Garden Inn Debrecen City Center is located on Darabos Street. The 101-room, two-basement, ground-floor and seven-storey hotel, with a total net floor area of 4,797 square metres, is expected to be opened at the end of the year.

Mester Residence Hotel

The Mester Residence Hotel will be located on the corner of Mester and Csap Streets. The three-storey building will house twenty spacious apartments.

Educational hotel

The University of Debrecen is building an educational hotel on Kartács Street, on the site of the former Park Hotel.

UniGreen Hotel

The winner of the UniGreen Hotel design competition was announced last year. However, it is not yet known when the hotel, training canteen and training restaurant will open.

Inter Hotel

This year, the contractor’s workers will move out of the Urban Hotel on the corner of Bethlen and Hatvan Streets and the Inter Hotel on Böszörményi Street. The latter will have 27 rooms and will offer a bar, restaurant, small outdoor wellness area, a pleasant garden area and its own closed parking lot for guests in transit and looking for relaxation.

Constructions are put on pause in this Hungarian town due to overpopulation

construction

The unprecedented ban affects almost the entire town. According to the municipality’s decision, no construction can start from the 15th of July. However, ongoing constructions can be finished even during the ban.

As Népszava reported, the town of Érd did something that no one expected. Located in Pest County, Érd is the eleventh most populous town in Hungary. At its last general assembly, the municipality of Érd imposed a halt to all the new constructions happening in the town. There are only two zones that are not affected, the industrial zone and the residential area in downtown Érd. This means, that the alterations of condominiums and family houses, as well as the extensions to the attic and other additions, are under a ban. The decision is only temporary while the local government works out a new construction code that is more stringent than the current one.

Overpopulation

László Csőzik, the independent mayor of Érd, reckons that the town is getting overpopulated.  Érd is hit by constant traffic, and the lack of parking spaces poses a serious issue. The infrastructure cannot handle the ever-expanding population. There are long queues every day in front of the doctor’s office, and there has been a long waiting list in the nursery for years. The new school, which opened its doors last year, is already overcrowded, unable to accept additional pupils. Class sizes are also getting bigger. Instead of starting the school year with 2-3 classes as usual, there is a need for 6-7 classes in the next term. The water supply company has also warned the town council that soon there will not be sufficient amount water supplying all the residents.

Locals’ sentiment

As László Csőzik put it, every decision has a political risk. According to a preliminary population survey, the majority of locals agree to the temporary ban on contractions. In the meantime, the local government is working on a new law. There is certainly no time to waste. If the current frenzy of condominium construction had continued unabated during the preparation of the new building code, it would have had unimaginable consequences for the townscape. The institutions and the water supply would entirely have failed the town population.

Curse of the agglomeration

The overpopulation of Érd in not an unparalleled issue. Most towns in the agglomeration of Budapest have been facing similar problems. People in Nagytarcsa have also complained about poor tap water quality (“filthy water running from the taps”) and insufficient nurseries. Solymár had a major water supply crisis last summer as well. In neighbourhoods of higher altitudes, there was no water at all for days. Temporary water shortage has affected more than 10 towns in the agglomeration.

PHOTOS: Renewed Buda Castle will look astonishing

Buda castle renovation

Buda Castle is one of the jewels of the Hungarian capital watching over the city from the Buda Hill on the right bank of the Danube River. It has a Medieval core, and probably the most spectacular part is the Royal Palace. It is now being renewed and will look jaw-dropping when finished. Check out the details and some photos below.

According to pestbuda.hu, the Northern wing of the Royal Palace will be reestablished to its original, end-19th century state and outlook. The project reached a new milestone since work started, even in the Hunyadi garden, where the subcontractor will dismantle some buildings created in the 1960s. Recently, they found a part of the palace’s original facade, which will help in authentic reconstruction.

The professionals use special hoisting equipment to clear the area from construction debris, but people can use the Hunyadi garden undisturbedly.

During the palace’s rebuilding in the 1960s, the implementer removed the original interior and exterior decorations and changed the building’s outlook. For example, they terminated the entrance from Szent György Square and extended the Northern building wing with three window axis. In the interior, the Communist leadership of Hungary did incomprehensible damage.

Museums, libraries in the Buda Castle

The Museum of the Hungarian Workers’ Movement moved into building A in 1974 and remained there until 1989-1990, the fall of the Central European Communist regimes. The museum left the Buda Castle in 1997. Ludwig Museum moved in until 2005 when they moved out to the Müpa, the Budapest Palace of Arts. The main building of the castle hosts Hungary’s Széchenyi Library.

The renovation of the Buda Castle started in the framework of the Nemzeti Hauszmann Program (National Hauszmann Program). The project’s main goal is to recreate the original buildings in the heart of Budapest.

Here are some photos of the ongoing work: