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Budapest celebrates victory: Orbán government’s mini-Dubai project failed!
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony celebrates the Orbán government's withdrawal from the controversial “Mini Dubai” project. A new, green residential area is planned.
Budapest celebrates victory: Orbán government’s mini-Dubai project failed!
In Budapest, opposition mayor Gergely Karácsony won a decisive victory against the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The controversial “Mini Dubai” project, which was supposed to house several skyscrapers on the site of a disused freight train station, has been stopped by the city government. According to a report by Krone.at The city's right of first refusal was activated, which means that responsibility for the development of the 85 hectare area is now in the hands of the city. The purchase agreement between the Hungarian state and the investor Eagle Hill from the United Arab Emirates, which was signed in January, was originally intended to be the starting signal for this luxury project.
Karácsony triumphantly announced on Facebook that Budapest's interest had won and that a sustainable residential district, called Parkstadt, would now be built in place of the planned skyscrapers. This is a smart reorientation, as Hungarian media mention that Karácsony may face difficulties with the government, particularly as major restructuring needs to be coordinated, which must be approved by Orbán's cabinet. This challenge could jeopardize the implementation of his plans, such as Budapester.hu notes.
Karácsony's challenges
However, urban development is not only shaped by financial aspects, but also by climate policy. Karácsony has promised to plant numerous trees and improve the cityscape, which is directly related to the quality of life of residents. The mayor's words promise a change in urban planning that takes both ecological and social dimensions into account.