The move of the Natural History Museum is one step closer

The Museum of Natural History will be built in Debrecen, on the site of the Oláh Gábor Street stadium, but the details are still being worked out. A detailed feasibility study is expected to include analyses of a building with exhibition spaces, a building housing a collection and research centre, and two alternative sites. The winner will also have to submit proposals for relocation, management and operational development.

The Hungarian Museum of Natural History was born in 1870 from the Natural History Department of the Hungarian National Museum, divided into a zoological, mineral and botanical department. Due to the continuous growth of the collections, the Museum moved to new premises in several stages: first partly to the buildings of the Joseph University of Technology (BME) and the Industrial Association, and then to the Museum of Applied Arts. The natural history collections were moved to their current location in the former riding stables on Ludovika Square in 1956, but after nearly 70 years in the building, they are now sure to be back in a new location.

The basis for serious debate

The move, which will cause a big scandal in 2020, is highly divisive: the Museum has not had its own building so far, so the creation of this one could bring solutions specific to the topic, which could be a great advantage; in addition, the second largest city in the country has a strong demand from the population, and the University of Debrecen has a strong expert base for a new cultural and scientific institution. On the other hand, the museum's staff have been almost unanimous in their opposition to the move, with many fearing for the integrity of the sensitive collection pieces, but there are even more who do not wish to leave their homes. As a solution, they have proposed the creation of another institution with a similar focus in Debrecen, which the sheer size of the collection would undoubtedly allow. In any case, it is clear that the government wants the entire Ludovika building for the National University of Public Service.

The study

The detailed feasibility study should be based on the existing museum concept and should reflect the macroeconomic environment:

• supply of raw materials,
• labour supply,
• inflationary environment,
• social utility and
• lasting community needs.

The draft also has to:

• be in line with the principles of the international design competition and in line with the relevant national and EU strategy documents;
• identify relevant challenges during the investment and operational phases and develop an operational development strategy;
• include full life cycle analysis and tourism modelling; and
• assess the potential risks and carry out a regulatory impact assessment.

The detailed feasibility study to be prepared by the Winning Bidder within 90 working days must take into account all relevant business aspects for the implementation decision. These aspects can be grouped into six categories as follows:

• investment cost requirements:
• construction risks and frameworks:
• life cycle analysis:
• operational risks:
• the impact of the concept on the financial result:
• attendance: