Budapest to regain management rights of key public spaces under new proposal

A new legislative proposal in Hungary aims to return the asset management rights of several prominent Budapest public spaces to the capital municipality, while the state retains ownership. According to documents from the Ministry of Transport and Investment, the proposal would grant the Budapest Municipality management authority over Podmaniczky Square, Vörösmarty Square, Széchenyi Square, and József Attila Street.

Minister Dávid Vitézy stated that the previous administration had nationalized these areas without professional justification four years ago, transferring their management to the 5th District municipality. The new plan seeks to reverse this by allowing the capital to coordinate urban development and maintenance more effectively. The proposal also includes the return of certain Danube-side properties in the 22nd District to the capital's management to ensure unified development of embankments and ports.

Beyond property management, the draft legislation includes changes to the National Hauszmann Program. This includes blocking the relocation of the Constitutional Court to its former palace. Additionally, the proposal would revoke the free transfer of certain properties in the 8th District to the MTK sports club, suggesting the area could instead be used for government rental housing programs. The government is currently seeking public comments on the proposal until August 15.