1.5 - Case Study Magdolna Quarter - Settlement and Service Provision

Question 1

Location

Answer 1

Within Józsefváros in District VIII

Question 2

History of regneration of Magdolna Quarter

Answer 2

• One of Budapest’s three social urban renewal pilot programmes
• Started in 2005
• Inspired by Birmingham’s Urban Reneqal Programme and by Germany’s “Sozialeb Stadt” Programme

Question 3

Describe the population of Magdolna Quarter

Answer 3

• Very poor and socially disadvantages Roma minority families live here
• Concentrated in a ghetto-like isolation
• 20-30% of the households are Roma

Question 4

The objectives of the renevation project

Answer 4

• To empower local people through a range of social and economic actions (education, community building, employment)
• To renew housing stock with the involvement of the occupants
• Aiming to keep residents in the area

Question 5

What housing renovations have been done? (name 4)

Answer 5

• 30% (28 buildings) of municipally owned housing stock is involved in refurbishment activities in the neighbourhood
• Proportion of substandard social rental flats has been reduced from 50% to lower than 10%
• Maintenance costs of housing units did not increase after the renovation
• Living conditions improved for 750 families
  
  • e.g. toilettes, inside, green courtyards, CCTV, isolation
• The rental buildings are occupied by the same people as before
• New NGOs established in order to present interest to tenants

Question 6

What public space renocations have been done? (name 4)

Answer 6

• Green years and connecting streets were reconstructed
• Several new function were elaborated in public spaces
  
  • e.g. sport, social, cultural, leisure facilities
• Most streets become humanised and safer open spaces
• Proportion of green surfaces has increased
• Public involvement process has included more than 10 local meetings and community action
  
  • e.g. community planting, making public furniture, painting buildings, establishing open-air stage
• Established non-governmental organisation called Association for Telek Square in order for locals to participate in the square’s management

Question 7

Services available in Mátyás tér (name 3)

Answer 7

• yoga programs
• teaching services (for kids and adults)
• therapy session
• summer camp
• ‘adopt a public area’
• English chatting/teaching for mothers