Local services
“On Thursday, at the last general assembly of the year, a number of proposals may be decided on that will significantly affect the life of Debrecen,” László Papp said at his press conference on Wednesday.
The Mayor was the first to mention that they intend to submit more applications for EU funds within the framework of the Regional and Settlement Development Operational Program Plus. As he mentioned, developments that help the sustainability and livability of the city are given priority.
He highlighted the renewal of Baltazár Dezső Square, which is now a “very serious heat island in the city centre”. The chief gardener, András Kuhn, envisaged a rethink of the area, which had been a “kettle in the summer”. The square is already included in the instant forest program, so a number of trees with containers have been planted there, but this is not thought to be the final solution.
“We would like to make this downtown space more atmospheric by tearing back the pavement, creating grassy areas, renewing the fountain and a landscaping program. As we know, when green space appears in the city centre, it always comes alive.” he said, citing St Stephen’s Square as an example, where the sunbeds that have been put out have been used by many people during the summer.
László Papp also spoke about the plans to create a new playground in the Jókai Street – Cserepes Street park. In addition, multi-storey buildings in the city center, modeled after the strand will be designated so that a “vertical garden” can be created in front of the firewall facade, a green wall that reduces the building’s heat load and helps to bind airborne dust and carbon dioxide on a large surface.
Bethlen Street would be made one-way and greened on a section
The Mayor added that they would like to reduce car traffic in the city centre, especially on roads that can be replaced by a boulevard or a section of a boulevard.
He said that Bethlen Street could be completely closed to cars, because a few hundred metres away there is the western ring road, but because there are parking garages and the OTI clinic institute is there, this is not done.
However, they want to reduce the traffic on Bethlen Street by making the section between Hunyadi and Hatvan Streets one-way, so that public transport and cyclists can still use it in both directions.
He added that, if the university super-hospital is built and the OTI no longer provides health care, the possibility of not allowing anyone other than the car park occupants and residents to drive into the OTI could be considered.
László Papp said that the transformation should go hand in hand with the increase of green areas and the tree planting program.
He also added that the area opposite the Kölcsey Center, which is currently used as a parking lot, would be built into the future.
The Mayor also spoke about the fact that the local government would apply for EU funds for further modernisation works of the Kismacs Community House, now the energy modernisation and interior renovation of the building are planned, in addition, they also intend to submit applications for the modernisation of three kindergartens (Szoboszlói Road Kindergarten, Görgey Street Kindergarten, Kemény Zsigmond Street Kindergarten) and three medical practices (Alsójózsai Street 6, Haláp medical practice, Földi János Street medical practice), as well as for calls for proposals entitled Sustainable Human Development.
Test run of the Environmental Monitoring System to start soon
Deputy Mayor, Ákos Balázsresponsible for environmental affairs, reminded that the city assembly had recently adopted several documents serving sustainability (he highlighted the Green Codex) and decided to launch several such programs. He said that Thursday’s assembly would discuss the review and first monitoring report of the Debrecen Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP), adding that the document is related to the Green Codex, and its essence is how we can adapt to climate change and how we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
He added that the existence of this document is an EU requirement and a condition for the city to apply for EU funds. He recalled that Debrecen had been a member of the Climate and Energy Alliance of Mayors since 2016. By joining, the Municipality has committed to setting ambitious medium- and long-term goals in line with the objectives of the European Union, within the framework of which it would achieve at least a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, while it has set a climate neutrality goal for 2050, which means an 80 percent reduction.
The Deputy Mayor highlighted that Debrecen has launched and is launching unique environmental protection programs nationwide, including the prefabricated house program and the Environmental Monitoring System developed jointly with experts from the University of Debrecen.
As he said, Its test run will start in January, and a non-profit company, the Environmental Control System Operating and Development Non-profit Ltd. will be set up with the university to run it.
“In Debrecen, you will know exactly what is happening in your environment, what happens when the Tisza water arrives, what happens when the atmosphere warms up and what the impact of intensive green areas is,” Ákos Balázs said.
Debrecen prefabricated house program expanded
Fidesz-KDNP parliamentary group leader,Viktor Papp spoke about the fact that some European Union energy efficiency directives, related to the measurement and accounting of district-heated buildings, had been transposed into the Hungarian legal system since the beginning of this year.
As a result of this process, the law on district heating services was amended, and the municipality was obliged to adopt regulations in line with the directives. This obligation is due to be fulfilled by the 31st of December this year.
For residential buildings and mixed-use buildings with district heating, with the exception of shared-use parts of the building, it is compulsory to install a heat cost allocator on each heat emitter, if technically feasible. This is to be compiled by the 1st of January 2027.
Viktor Papp said that a proposal was submitted to the general assembly that it would be possible to submit a tender for the purchase and installation of the heating cost allocator in the Debrecen prefabricated house program with a support intensity of 50 percent.
Source and photo credit:dehir.hu
