Regeneration Program in Budapest Józsefváros, Magdolna Quarter Program 2007

Regeneration Program in Budapest Józsefváros, Magdolna Quarter Program 2007 Introduction The Magdolna Quarter Program (Budapest Józsefváros) in Hungary is a first trial to implement renewal of a multiple retarded urban district with the involvement of the residents including integrated social, cultural and technical measures. The Quarter in Józsefváros 8th district of Budapest - is 34 ha and the number of residents is approx 12 000. The quarter is the largest continuous metropolitan poverty area (ghetto) of Budapest. The key words of the urban regeneration program are cooperation and participation. A city is a very complex system constantly changing, therefore its development can only be influenced by similarly complex and integrated programs. This is of particular importance in case of these deteriorating cities or city quarters, which are not even capable of staying on their feet on their own power, not even talking about making one step ahead. These urban areas demand targeted regenerationtools, which take all three fields of urbanity - society, economy, environment- into consideration in the target area, achieving a higher efficiency with the help of several programs run parallel to each other, linked on a number of points, having a positive impact on one another. Urban Development Program for Budapest The Medium-Term Urban Development Program for Budapest is a significant new initiative in the annals of urban planning in Budapest. Up to now the milestones in this field have been: quantitative analysis; the introduction of a rolling seven-year plan, which ensured the adoption of far-sighted development policy: the long-range City Development Concept. In accordance with the values embodied in the City Development Concept and the strategic aims therein, the Program contains medium-term action programs concurrent with the EU s next planning period, extending up to 2013 which give clear guidance to parties involved in urban development. This guidance describes what aims the Budapest City Council has, what areas it wants to see developed, and what programs and major projects it wants to see executed. Thus the Program forms the basis for a further seven-year round of development planning, as well as for local authority sector-based planning. However, it is known that the majority of the various development projects realised in the city are not executed by the City Council, but by other parties in the public and private spheres (governmental and regional bodies, district municipalities, or most often private developers), with the civil society. 2

The goal of the program intends to launch a new, dynamic development period in the future of the town so that Budapest and the region around the capital, the Central Region, can be raised up to take its rightful place as a European city of major importance. The most important aim of the program is to ensure that the inhabitants of the town themselves love living here. 3

There are three main objectives which aim to achieve this: the town should be made more pleasant to live in; it should become more competitive and it should show more social awareness. Budapest's Urban Development Concept based on departmental and territorial segments. These segments contain all necessary medium-term developments. Territorial and departmental priorities were produced on the basis of these. There are several main developmental locations. The goal of a liveable and population-retaining city is served by the speeding up of the regeneration of residential and public spaces, including the improvement and accessibility of high-traffic nodes like railway stations, major intersections, as well as the widening of certain cultural and tourist sites, improvement of the suburbs, and experimental rehabilitation of housing estates. To strengthen the competitiveness of the city one could mention several good things offered by departmental programs. A spirit of innovation efforts to consolidate Budapest's reputation as a centre of learning, building up relations between the economic and political sides of these institutions. Also an emphasis should be placed on economic developments based on clusters such as IT. Tourism may be improved by the redevelopments of spas, by encouraging small trade in the central area and by good marketing. This is all about maximizing the capital's tourist potential along with the foundation of the hi-tech area, the provision of information systems in public places and the development of public transport. 4

Another way to strengthen the competitiveness of the town among the programs would be to develop the missing elements of the most important public roads and network elements or the model projects aimed at rejuvenating the so called "rust belt" areas. The measures for solidarity include the starting integrated regeneration model program in the most deprived locations, the funding of social housing, standardization of the welfare system, fresh initiatives to relieve homelessness, making buildings, parks and transport more easily accessible and balancing inequalities in the education system by providing extra funding for schools in deprived neighbourhoods. Urban Regeneration Programs in Budapest The Local Government of Józsefváros have devoted themselves to the integrated social urban regeneration in 2004. Rév8 - Józsefváros Rehabilitation and Urban Development Company - developed the Magdolna Quarter Program, as a medium term regeneration initiative for a 15 year period. The regeneration will take place as a co-operation between the Budapest City Council and the Local Government of Józsefváros. The Municipality of Budapest has decided in 2005 about launching a number of pilot projects in urban regeneration on social-cultural base concerning a number of city areas. The projects serve the renewal of such cumulatively disadvantaged segments of the city, within which social, economical and environmental problems appear concentrated. Conditions of the Magdolna Quarter Three social urban regeneration areas have been defined in Budapest for the period of 2005-2008: Ferencváros (9. district) the so called Dzsumbuj by Illatos út, Kőbánya (10. district) Bihari út, Józsefváros (8. district) Magdolna Quarter. In the Magdolna Quarter the families in disadvantageous position are living in a concentrated pattern with over-representation of Romany families. The unemployment rate is equally the highest here all over Budapest and the district and the proportion of economically active population is the lowest. 5

The backlog in terms of education is also the highest: proportion of people without primary school qualification is high and the number of those having university grade is low. As regard to the economic potential and employment position of the quarter this is one of the weakest areas in Józsefváros. The number of criminal acts is high in spite of the improving public security. Another serious problem is the use of and trading with drugs as well as the prostitution having considerable historical heritage even if it has practically ceased to exist in public areas. The local community provides a more acceptant medium for the people disabled due to their physical on mental state or disqualified due to their ethnic relations as well as for the Hungarian and non-hungarian immigrants. The ratio of small area flats without any comfort is high in the outdated composition and extraordinarily bad state flat stock. Due to the permanent worsening of the physical state and the downward moving social spiral the quarter of the city being of a quarter for the poor is steadily detaching from the rest of the district. There is still a thin middle class group in the quarter that did not want or was unable to move from this part of the city and could be more easily mobilised than the people of he poorest families. The key task of this program is to retain and to strengthen this thin group as possible. The aims of the Magdolna Quarter Program The general purpose of the model program is to introduce an urban rehabilitation scheme in Hungary where all program elements are built upon the active involvement of those living in the quarter. It should act as a catalyst for the pubic initiatives and thereby create a unique shaped and attractive part of the city with creating new public and cultural spots and renewal of the existing ones. The social aim is to improve the standard of living by ensuring appropriate living conditions by involvement of the current residents, by strengthening the local community cohesion and by retaining the social diversity. The economic aim is to improve the earnings production and self-reliance of the area, development of the local labour market and thereby reduction of the lasting unemployment. The environmental aim is to enlarge the public and green areas both by size and quality, creating sustainable living environment by continuous renewal of buildings in small steps, by retaining the architectural values and by building new houses. 6

The regeneration model program The Magdolna Quarter Program has been running for more than a year now, and has made many achievements already, in spite the fact that only background work, contacting stakeholders and networking were planned for the first year. We will report about these achievements later by discussing each program. First and foremost it has to be said that we managed to work out personal relationships with several professional associations, NGOs, and most importantly local people, and managed to make it clear for them that this time, this program differs from all other urban regeneration programs earlier. Program #1 / Building renewal by involvement of the tenants 88% of the building stock of the Magdolna Quarter consists of flats built before 1919, the ratio of the Local Government owned flats is 42% and the ratio of flats without comfort is 37%. One of the most serious problems of the Magdolna Quarter is the deteriorated state of the buildings that is mot apparent in the case of the Local Government owned rented houses. This program relates to the 100% Local Government owned rented houses. Our aim is that all should be real participants of the process during renovation. In addition to the renewal and restoration works of the buildings the improvement of the contacts within the living community and the employment of the tenants has equal importance in the program. This program works with rental houses, where the tenants participate in the renewal process of the building from the design all the way to the implementation. As a first step a complex physical and social survey will be done in the participating houses during which not only we but the tenants will also be informed about the state of the building. There will be a program designed together with the residential community whereby the proposed tasks or renewal works will be defined together with the property management organisation in each year. This budget can be expanded by the consent of the tenants that could be either their own work or financial contribution. 7

Organisers of the model program continually maintain contacts with the residents of each rented house. They provide information about the opportunities available for the renewal of the house and will provide support by their professional experience for the residents in making their decision. Of course the tenants will have the opportunity to nominate a representative or a commission representing the entire residential community for the negotiations with the Local Government competent representatives. The novelty of this initiative will be mostly apparent during the renovation. The residents of the rented house according to the agreement made with the Local Government can implement their preliminary undertaking in this phase. There will be an opportunity to perform such works not requiring professional qualification that will serve the utility of the building and comfort of the residents. The abandoned basements or lofts might be relieved and put in order and the frequently frightening entrances might be converted to more acceptable and nicer by simply painting them. The methods by which the private persons (tenants) may participate in the refurbishment and maintenance works will be elaborated within the frames of the currently effective legislation. There are some smaller works that would be done by the tenants against some remuneration that could be e.g. compensation in the rentals, reduction of rent unpaid, accounting for material costs. When the works are being carried out by contractors and such contracts are being awarded it should be a decision-making factor if the contractor is willing to employ local unemployed. In 2006 six from all contacted governmentally owned rental houses applied for the program. From these six, it was 4th of Szigetvári street, where the renewal works first started. As a first step, on two weekends in June 2006 the residents have cleaned up the cellar and other public spaces, with the outcome of 20 pieces of 6 m3 containers of rubbish. Rév8 has helped managing the weekend-works, provided all tools needed (gloves, shovels, sacks, barrows and containers). 8

Our employees have taken their part in all collective works, weekdays, weekends, when needed on the management side, but in the physical work also. In 2006 the renewal works started in the house, a co-operation agreement has been signed - and accepted by the Local Government in January 2007 in addition to that a co-operation schedule has been worked out, which contains all joint tasks until 2008. In 2006 co-operation has begun with an additional 3 houses. On the 18 th of December 2006 the major of Józsefváros has invited the residents of all houses, who have been working with us during the year for a Christmas party to evaluate and talk about the year 2006. Program #2 / Greenkeys project Renewal of the Mátyás square The first action area of the public area development within the Magdolna Quarter Program is the Mátyás square. The purpose of this program is to develop a Site for the community which contributes to the increase of the resident retention force of the neighbourhood and to the enhancement of the living standards. The public area renewed and enriched by quality green area is the most important key to the liveable urban areas. Renewal of the Mátyás square is not merely the action area of the Magdolna Quarter Program. The square is at the same time a sample area of GreenKeys supported by the European Union. 20 international professional associations, the Geographical Research Institute of the Hungarian Science Academy (MTA) and the Faculty of Landscape Architecture of the Budapest Corvinus University are co-operating with Rév8 on this project. However, the already commenced renewal of the square on its own does not yet ensure multiple uses for the residents. As a targeted continuation of the renewal, only the involvement of the local community may create that community place that could become a meeting location for different social groups at the same time and that is felt by the community as their own property. 9

It is the undoubted aim of the public area program that as a result of the renewal the free time opportunities of the local community would improve, the proportion of the free time spent in the open area would increase thereby opening a way for the new social relations. According to our aims, the cohesion of the local residents will be strengthened not only because the square will be utilised but involvement of them into the design and implementation of the new green area. The year 2006 the design phase took place. We discussed the plans for the square and the materials to be used in the implementation on residential meetings, some of which were organized right out on the grounds, and made a decision together in all upcoming issues. In the design phase we questioned the residents about their opinions and demands through surveying with the support of the Geographical Research Institute of the Hungarian Science Academy (MTA). The works have started in autumn, in the Erdélyi Elementary & Secondary School teachers, pupils, university students, civil activists and residents have been busy creating sitting mounds new street furniture for the renewed Mátyás tér. We collected the ideas and plans of residents regarding the renewal of the square in more steps. First after informing the locals we tried to measure the main demands and wishes of the neighbourhood regarding the square, which was key in the pre-planning phase. The first phase of the implementation has been launched in November, mainly including structure building. Program #3 / Mátyás Square Community House Glove Factory By transforming the late Glove Factory standing empty at 15 Mátyás Square a complex will be created that provides a space for alternative cultural and training programs and a public place and cultured conditions for the people living in he neighbourhood. Definitive property of the House is its openness and multi-functionality. An important objective of the Community House in addition to the community development and advisory services is the supplement of the Erdélyi Primary School education program with unique sessions built upon creativity and enhancement of the children learning there with different social and cultural background and at the same time to provide a chance for the children to measure themselves, as well as for common games and learning. 10

It is the most important for the children in disadvantage that they could be able to overcome the disadvantage accumulated across generations by development of their own knowledge and development of skills. In addition to the traditional education more attention should be paid to the creativity, freedom and openness. The proposed digital visual and arts program (The Digital Childhood program) in addition to aiming the school could be a true alternative for the young interesting in video, photo or media or for other young people within or outside the quarter. The cultural events are suitable to convene people with different cultural background and make them ready to accept by their openness and playful character. Variety of the organised programs allow everybody to find their own entertainment. Currently there is no cultural or any other institution suitable to spend free time in the district. Training information communication: one of the central locations, the Internet Cafe will be located on the ground floor in the centre of the community house in close connection with the courtyard and other meeting rooms. The Rév8 Zrt local organisation preparing and managing the regeneration of the quarter will also be located in the building. The institute will open its gates in Autumn 2007. Program #4 / Educating program The educating program is a key element for the quarter renewal. As a part of the educating program the Erdélyi Primary School will be transformed and an institution with new education tasks will be created (Community House) and kindergarten education will have a stronger accent as well. Renewal of the Erdélyi Primary & Secondary School is a determinative part of not only the education program but of the regeneration of the entire Magdolna Quarter Program though it is absolutely indispensable to have an open education facility providing quality education as well as opportunities for further education and courses for adult training. As a part of the institution development the primary school will be united with a Secondary School. 11

The primary effect of the institution reorganisation will be to alleviate the separation of the primary school currently educating nearly 100% Romany pupils as well as provides an opportunity for the young (and adults) in disadvantage in the quarter to obtain a maturity grade by continuing their primary school leaning that is a prerequisite for qualifying many skilled worker s jobs. Opening and operation of the re-created school also providing education in arts could contribute in a longer term to the change in view that leads to the appreciation of the value of learning and work and utility of both. Moving into the school of the secondary school age children will increase the demand that the school should open to the residents of the quarter and with its programs it should operate ever more as an open school as well as generates a new demand for the Community House programs to be opened. Kidpix Digital Childhood creative educational art program led by Kata Soós begun in Sepetmber 2006. One time a week a four-hour period is dedicated to pedagogue-education, and a two-hour period to children. 15 children and 20 teachers are participating in the project. Since the educational program is first of all computer aided, the school was in need of developing their computer-rooms, which has been completed in October. A Swedish educational pilot project, the Tricky Fox, sponsored by the Swedish Embassy and the Swedish Institute has been set off in September 2006. The project weekly offers a 2x2 hour interesting activity for children of elementary grades 1-4. 15 pupils are participating in the program. In December a little book has been made with the help of the children. As a main characteristic of the program is co-operation with libraries, together with the participating NGOs we contacted the central library of the Szabó Ervin City Library. As a result of the successful negotiations they started to formulate a co-operation agreement last December. The first and decisive workshop of the community way of life is the kindergarten. Support of the accession programs of the two kindergartens located in the quarter (the Napsugár Kindergarten and Koszorú Street Kindergarten) is of key importance for the educational accession of the children living in disadvantage. The development work should be harmonised with the educational program of the Erdélyi Primary & Secondary School supporting pupils in disadvantage in order to have a less problematic moving of the target group children from the kindergarten to the school. Currently, the majority representation of the Romany children in the two kindergartens of the quarter does not reach the segregation level of the primary school. The kindergartens should also be connected to the programs of the primary and secondary school as well as to those of the Community House. 12

Program #5/ Crime prevention program The general aim of this program is to create co-operation forum for the players able and willing to act for the public security and for crime prevention and enhancement of success of the police, local government and civil efforts and also provide the necessary information and devices for the implementation and monitoring of the results, and further, training of the specialists working in the area of public security. The aim of creating and operating the Public Security Working Group is to establish a regular and long term co-operation of the professionals working in the area of the public security and crime prevention in the wide sense. The working group will establish and apply a uniform crime prevention and public security view in the quarter. It will create the public security strategy of the quarter including an action plan as well as will implement new forms of residents information and maintaining contacts harmonised with the local conditions and demand. Practical implementation of the uniform public security view unambiguously necessitates further training of the professionals working in the area as public area inspectors, district wardens, civil wardens, social workers, etc. from legal, communication, conflict handling and self-protection aspects. The main goal of the year 2006 has been achieved: the Professional Workgroup for a Safe Magdolna Quarter has been formed. The workgroup has started working out the Action Plan and Program, in the implementation of which a wide spectrum of crime prevention professionals and stakeholders - from the 8. District Police Department to NGOs - have a future role. In co-operation with Nap Klub Foundation a public surveying regarding crime and crime prevention has begun. The residents have titled the lack of lockable gates as a main problem, so right after a plan for the implementation and management of secure gates has been worked out. The Local Government and Rév8 has won an additional 10 million HUF subsidy from the State Government to secure the further safety of the Quarter. The tender has been worked out in co-operation with the Local Government, the Zöld Fiatalok (green youth) NGO and the Nap Klub Foundation. Program #6/ Employment, entrepreneurs program The subsidised retail trade and the small entrepreneurs development program will help to renew the premises of the small and medium entrepreneurs in the quarter and in some cases it will provide a support for their procurement of equipment and devices. 13

The program of qualified entrepreneurs will support the local small companies to be involved in the building renewals and operations in the district and at the same time it will help the residents to find out the small entrepreneur capable of performing the task. The Romany entrepreneurship program is a local initiative based on an integrated cooperation of participants with different profile that intends to promote the employment market integration and social confidence for the Romany entrepreneurs. Program #7/ Community development program One of the most important steps to regenerate and revival of the quarter is to reconnect the fallen apart social fabric, rebuilding the lost confidence between the people and elimination of the anxiety. The Magdolna Quarter Neighbourhood Council will be created in order to organise the community and to aid activity of the people. The task of this civil organisation is to develop the community, to find and involve the active residents into the rehabilitation task, to form the local initiatives. The neighbourhood council operates in the community house. György Alföldi, Csilla Sárkány, György Molnár, Dániel Horváth, Zsuzsanna Mikó, Sándor Erdősi jr, Ákos Czeglédy, Péter Horváth dr, Judit Holländer, Kata Soós, József Kolossa, Zoltán Csete. Pictures by Rév8, Kidpix, Kata Soós. Cover design by Rév8 based on graphics of the pupils of Erdélyi Elementary & Secondary School. 14

The entire program can be seen on: Budapest Mid-Term Urban Development Program www.budapest.hu Magdolna Regeneration Model Program www.rev8.hu, Jozsefvaros Mid-Term Urban Development Program www.jozsefvaros.hu Digital Childhood Program www.kidpix.hu Interreg IIIB CADSES GreenKeys www.greenkeys-projekt.net Our Partners: Nap Klub Foundation www.napklub.hu Zöld Fiatalok www.zofi.hu Kapocs Self-Helping Service for the Young www.kapocs.hu HUMUSZ www.humusz.hu Oltalom Karitatív Egyesület (Association) www.oltalom.hu Szigony Fondation for Corporate Psychology www.civilporta.hu/szigonyalapitvany/ Családsegítő Szolgálat Family Service Budapest Corvinus University www.bce.hu Erdélyi Elementary and Secondary School www.altiskesgimn-jozsefvaros.net Pécs University of Sciences Institute for Sociology www.ttk.pte.hu Geographical Research Institute of the Hungarian Science Academy www.mta.hu Municipality of Budapest www.budapest.hu Local Government of Józsefváros www.jozsefvaros.hu 8. District Police Department www.brfk.hu For the Safety of Józsefváros KHT www.jozsefvaros.hu 15