Due to the ongoing construction near the area, the lower embankment between the Parliament and Chain Bridge will function as a recreational space between June 18th and August 15th.
The head of the mayor’s cabinet, Samu Balogh, announced that in collaboration with Budapest Brand nZrt., and VALYO, they wish to convert a section of the Danube embankment into “an experimental creative public space.” As the embankment between Margaret Bridge and Chain Bridge is closed to road traffic due to the renovation of the lower embankment between Margaret Bridge and Kossuth Lajos Square, and the renovation of Chain Bridge, the section between the Parliament and Chain Bridge will remain unused for a longer period of time.
In the 70,000-square-meter area, potted plants, picnic tables, and deck chairs will be installed, in addition to football tennis and badminton courts, and hopscotch. According to the announcement, no commercial activities or events will take place in the area. The total budget of the recreation space is HUF 10 million (EUR 29,000), and if the experiment is successful, similar projects can be expected after the renovations are complete.
Balogh emphasized that the regular opening of the lower embankment of Pest to pedestrians along with this new project, are integral to the development plan of the Municipality of Budapest called “Otthon Budapesten” (“Home in Budapest”), which aims to make the capital an open, green city that creates opportunities.
Featured photo illustration by Gábor Juhász/MTVA