PLANNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE EUROPE? - TU Berlin

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city still shows a strong upward trend in population (Ongjerth 1999:7, also see figure
9.7).
Figure 9.6 Residential Suburbanization in the Budapest Agglomeration (1900-2005)
Population changes in the Budapest Agglomeration
(100,000 Persons)
30
25
20
15
10
Budapest
Agglomeration Belt
5
0
1990 1995 2000* 2005*
* Expected
Source: Own compilation using data in Ongjerth (1999)
This trend is particularly worrisome in light of the fact that Budapest not only still
has a functioning high-density core, but also a large number of relatively low-density
districts immediately adjacent to the core (see figure 9.8). This so-called “transition
zone” largely consists of former industrial brownfield sites that became derelict during
post-communist economic restructuring. A truly environmentally “sustainable” transport
and land use strategy for Budapest oriented along EU compact city ideals would have to
concentrate on making this area attractive to investors for mixed-use urban
redevelopment, combining residential, commercial and light industry uses. In particular,
disputed ownership and fuzzy tenure issues would have to be resolved and transit access
improved. At the same time, there would have to be a regional consensus on limiting
greenfield investments in the periphery.