Budapest’s Heart Set to Transform: City Hall Park Concept Unveiled

In the bustling center of Budapest, where green spaces are at a premium, an ambitious project is taking shape. The City Hall Park, set to replace a former parking lot, promises to increase the green area ratio to an impressive 50 percent. This transformation is not just about adding trees and grass; it’s a comprehensive reimagining of urban space that will make the park accessible to all and introduce new community spaces, including cafes, within the connected City Hall premises.

The concept for City Hall Park, revealed on January 20, 2025, showcases a paradigm shift in urban planning. The park’s design goes beyond surface aesthetics, incorporating innovative blue and green infrastructure. One of the most striking features is the plan to level out the current “pit” in front of City Hall, creating a seamless, barrier-free space that connects the renovated Merlin building with the Károly Boulevard entrance.

Sustainable Design and Climate Adaptation

At the core of the park’s design is a focus on sustainability and climate resilience. The plan includes:

• 7,730 square meters of green space
• 6,966 square meters of rainwater-collecting surfaces
• 850 square meters of water-permeable paving
• 80 trees planted using the Stockholm method
• Numerous perennial plants

These elements are not just for show. They form part of a sophisticated system designed to collect rainwater from rooftops, create rain gardens, and establish evaporative zones in tree-lined areas. This “sponge city” concept aims to mitigate the urban heat island effect and make the park sustainable in the face of climate change challenges.

Multifunctional Urban Space

The park is designed to be versatile, accommodating various functions throughout the year. The planners have modeled scenarios for winter ice skating rinks, outdoor exhibitions, and summer stages near the Merlin building. There’s even potential for the park to host events like Christmas markets or book fairs.

Opening Up City Hall

An integral part of the City Hall Park project is the “Open City Hall” concept. This involves transforming the ground floor spaces of City Hall that connect to the park, covering an area of over 6,000 square meters. The plans include:

• Creating a new cross-wing or corridor between Gerlóczy and Bárczy streets
• Renovating and repurposing the “Ratskeller” – a vast space beneath the ceremonial hall
• Establishing outdoor cafes and terraces
• Setting up an information point for direct interaction between the city administration and residents

Timeline and Challenges

While the concept is exciting, the road to realization is long. The project faces several challenges, including stringent heritage protection regulations and changes in construction laws. The optimistic timeline suggests:

• 2025: Permitting process
• 2026: Detailed planning
• 2027: Completion of permit and execution planning phases
• 2028: Potential start of construction

The estimated cost for the basic program is 4.2 billion forints, with an additional 1.6 billion for suggested enhancements.

A Vision for the Future

Despite the long timeline, city officials are enthusiastic about the project. Chief Architect Zoltán Erő emphasized the importance of implementing the park and Open City Hall concepts together, seeing them as mutually reinforcing elements that could significantly enhance the urban fabric of Budapest.

As the concept moves towards reality, City Hall Park stands to become not just a green oasis in the heart of Budapest, but a model for sustainable, multifunctional urban spaces that can adapt to the challenges of the 21st century while honoring the city’s rich historical heritage.

Image source: Budapest City Hall