A new intermodal city gateway may be built in Békéscsaba: design competition launched

Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium announces an open architectural design competition for the design of a local public transport hub in Békéscsaba.

On the website of the Hungarian Chamber of Architects, you can also find published on the website of the Hungarian Chamber of Architects, the aim of the competition is to create a modern transport hub that serves the region's travellers with high architectural quality, in line with the spirit of liveable and sustainable urban development. According to the organiser's expectations, the facility will not only function efficiently in a functional sense, but will also be linked to Békéscsaba in character and can even be interpreted as a „gateway to the city”.

Integrated system between rail and bus

One of the central elements of the design task is to establish a closer connection between the bus station in Békéscsaba and the railway station, which was renovated in 2016. The tender calls for alternative solutions for the more efficient use of the two facilities, reviewing and rethinking the existing connection points.

The aim of the investment is to create a modern, user-friendly local transport hub where rail and bus transport, as well as bicycle, pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic, can seamlessly integrate with each other. The system must ensure fast, convenient and efficient transport for both passengers and goods.

Important deadlines in the application schedule

The organiser intends to conclude a design contract with the winning designer selected as a result of the design competition. The total remuneration is HUF 40 million gross, of which the highest fee is HUF 10 million gross.

Registration and access to documentation opened at 2 p.m. on 19 February 2026. The site visit took place at 11 a.m. on 25 February 2026, where the representative of the contracting authority provided information about the planning area, after which interested parties were able to visit the site.

The deadline for submitting entries is 12 noon on 6 May 2026, and the results are scheduled to be announced at 11 a.m. on 23 June 2026.

Multifaceted evaluation: from cityscape to economy

The judging panel will evaluate the entries based on a complex set of criteria. Urban quality, integration into the townscape and relationship to the built heritage are just as important as the design of community spaces and the thoughtfulness of functional relationships.

Special attention is paid to the integration of the transport system: the logic of pedestrian, bicycle and bus connections, safe and barrier-free solutions, as well as the examination of the parking system and, where applicable, underground transport options are assessed separately.

Among the architectural and massing considerations, the key factors are finding a unique „Csaba” character, strengthening the city gate character, and applying modern, innovative, yet timeless structural and material solutions. Sustainability requirements – energy efficiency, the use of environmentally friendly and local materials, and the incorporation of smart technologies – also play an important role in the evaluation.