Two dilapidated public spaces in Józsefváros to be renovated as green community spaces and modern streets

Until the mid-1990s, the properties at 18–22 Kőris Street belonged to the Budapest Distillery Company. In 1997, an agreement was reached to divide the property into three parts, resulting in the creation of Szeszgyár köz, a municipal-owned thoroughfare connecting Visi Imre Street and Kőris Street, which is a continuation of Szeszgyár Street – according to information from the municipal RÉV8 Zrt. and directly from the Józsefváros Local Government , which is also published on the website of the HE-DO on its website.

Now, some three decades later, the district municipality is renewing Szeszgyár közt and the entire Szeszgyár street in the HE-DO design, after extensive public consultation, in which the UAS Department of Urbanism was involved in the design alongside local residents.

A shaded green promenade, a climbing wall and benches will be created on the currently underused area of Szeszgyár köz on the side of Kőris utca. The rest of Szeszgyár Street will be covered with a new tree line, and the road and pavement will be renewed.

The design process took around a year and a half, and the project promoter Rév8 2022 held two community forums in the spring of 2022 to give local people the chance to say what they would like to see in the regenerated street and what they would like to do on the future promenade: relax, play or play sports, they say.

Based on the public comments received, the plans have been finalised and the necessary permits from the authorities and utility companies have been obtained, and the public procurement of the contractor has been carried out. The works will start at the end of September 2024 by HE-DO and are scheduled to be completed in March 2025.

Building a near-natural area for locals

Based on the proposals, local residents wanted a pedestrian promenade in a previously underused part of Szeszgyár köz, which would be close to nature and a place to relax. At the same time, there was a desire for colourful, playful elements, so that people, whether pensioners or young children, could enjoy spending time here.

When Szeszgyár Street was designed, the main concern was to make the street more comfortable to walk along, and to make it shadier and greener. Therefore, as many trees will be planted as the underground utilities will allow, and the section of the street on Baross Street will be able to accommodate trees by relocating the water pipes in the path of the tree-lined street. The current parking on both sides will be retained on one side only, with a tree line with perennial beds on the even side.

Main features of the plan adopted for the street reconstruction:

• safe transport
• wider pavements
• elevation of junctions to pavement level
• 36, trees planted in the open
• renewable paving: paving stones on pavements, asphalt on roads
• new street furniture
• renewable street lighting.

The footpath will look like this

And the section of Szeszgyár köz that will be redesigned as a pedestrian walkway has been designed to provide both recreational and play areas, without disturbing passers-by. The design also had to take into account the need to provide access for businesses operating in the area, with a ramp on the side facing Kőris Street," the information note says.

On this site

• playful elements: trampoline, climbing wall, basket swing;
• shaded seating;
• 20 trees planted in open ground;
• a meeting place (with a wooden wall and seating);
• and a playground made of natural materials;

will be delivered by HE-DO, taking care to ensure a transparent, natural design.