Fight against the heat in Szeged - public spaces will be transformed with green solutions

Sándor Nagy, Deputy Mayor of Szeged, presented a four-year project with a budget of around two million euros (HUF 800 million) and 60 percent direct EU funding at a press conference in Szeged. He stressed:

The measurements of the last decade show that Szeged is increasingly affected by the thermal insulation effect. The city is getting warmer compared to its surroundings, and there are also many places within the city where the heat is "constricting".

Property owners must also get on board

To demonstrate the heat island effect and its harmful health effects, the local government has launched an awareness campaign via its website and social media, providing specific tips to residents and businesses, as most of the city's territory is privately owned. Furthermore, the programme includes surveys, research and awareness-raising activities as a first step.

They also want to develop an incentive scheme to encourage property owners to reduce the proportion of paved surfaces and to create intensive green areas instead of concrete courtyards, the press conference was told.

These showcase projects will demonstrate the spread of green spaces

The municipality will also demonstrate possible solutions through demonstration projects:

• the Károlyi Street square is transformed,
• a green lane will be created on the inner section of Kossuth Lajos Avenue, between Vadász Street and the small road,
• a tram stop at the Anna Fountain is being transformed,
• a school in the city is redesigning and renovating its courtyard, involving students and teachers.
• And in Hajnóczy Street, the public space surrounding an office building under construction will be transformed into an intensive green space in cooperation with the investor.