Józsefváros Railway Station Development Plan
The study prepared in 2021 by the Budapest Development Center aimed at the comprehensive urban development of the largest brownfield site in District VIII—the former Józsefváros Railway Station. The approximately 30-hectare site, located close to the city center and well-served by public transport, offers the opportunity to create a new, green, livable, mixed-use neighborhood that connects to downtown Pest, Kőbánya, and the surrounding institutional network (Ludovika Campus, Eiffel Workshop, and the upcoming Transportation Museum).
Development concept and urban structure
The development plan was created by combining three design concepts. The backbone of the district is a 1.2 km-long green axis, which could also become one of Budapest’s longest car-free promenades. Along this green strip, six-story buildings define the urban edge of Kőbányai Road, while 3–5-story residential buildings at Orczy Square provide a human-scale transition. The design merges framed, street-edge urban structures with the advantages of freestanding buildings, resulting in a clear yet varied urban layout that offers different types of courtyards and internal parks.
Functions and urban institutions
The area will include 800 apartments and 60,000 m² of office space, alongside a nursery, kindergarten, dormitory, medical center, library, museum, hotel, swimming pool, and beach. Public functions (shops, restaurants) on the ground floors of the buildings will ensure an active streetscape. The opening of Orczy Square through demolitions and new institutions creates an opportunity to establish a significant urban park.
Sustainability and green infrastructure
The new district aims for sustainable operation, characterized by extensive green spaces, green roofs, artificial ponds for rainwater retention, car-free internal streets, underground parking, and bicycle infrastructure. Its climate-friendly character is ensured by 20 m² of green space per resident, blue-green infrastructure that mitigates heat islands, and a compact, pedestrian-friendly design.
Transportation and development phasing
Kőbányai Road will be transformed into a new main street, featuring a centrally located tram line, new tree rows, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, a bike lane, and an underground utility tunnel. The first step in the future development is the reorganization of property ownership, followed by the establishment of public functions, and finally, the complete neighborhood can take shape through the involvement of private developments.
