ÉKM: the Budapest agglomeration is in dire need of renewal of architectural regulation

The new Hungarian architecture law also serves the livability of the Budapest agglomeration. This was discussed by Regő Lánszki, State Secretary for Architecture, on behalf of Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium (ÉKM) with the mayors of the affected areas at the current meeting of the Budapest Agglomeration Development Council, where he presented the draft law, the ministry told MTI.

The designation of new land for development will be more strictly regulated in the new law

There are few areas in the country where the need for renewal of architectural regulation is as obvious as the Budapest agglomeration. In the Budapest area, population growth and the over-use of existing architectural regulations are already causing a deterioration in the quality of life.

The share of built-up areas in Hungary has increased by 10 percent in recent years, but in some agglomerations it has reached 60 percent

- the statement said.

It was stressed that the draft law sets stricter requirements for the designation of new development areas than the current agglomeration law, with national scope.

The total combined area of green space and forest area within a municipality must not be reduced

The new law establishes the principle of protection of green areas and reinforces it with the following rules: the total amount of green area and forest area in a municipality must not be reduced. The new built-up area must be connected to the existing urban area. The areas to be built on must be surrounded by a green ring 500 metres wide, it was explained.

Currently, in many agglomerations, commuting is necessary to reach even the most basic needs, and the new law defines that

In the case of new residential areas, access and utilities must be provided by hard-surfaced roads, and there must be a basic provision of nursery, primary and health care within a radius of at least 5 km.

The principle of priority for brownfield sites is introduced

The incorporation of green spaces was also facilitated by the fact that these investments were less costly for the developer than the use of existing building stock or brownfield investments. The new law therefore also introduces the principle of priority for brownfield sites,

which states that the use of brownfield sites should be favoured over greenfield sites, and that the state will provide incentives for brownfield investments or the improvement of existing building stock.

At the meeting, Regő Lánszki, State Secretary for Architecture, expressed his openness to any proposal that would help solve the problems of the agglomeration, according to ÉKM.