Debrecen4U July 30, 2026

Environmental Development at Bem Square

The aim of the development is to renew and modernise the park at Bem Square, making use of its central location so that it may once again become a popular and well-visited public space. A further objective is to ensure that the park is suitable for recreation, commemorative events and the hosting of smaller local community gatherings. The structure of the square in front of the library is to be renewed in order to strengthen the relationship between the park and the building. Although the area is divided into two sections by Nyíl Street, an important consideration during the development of the design concept was the creation of a unified public space that functions and appears as a coherent whole.

Project identification number: TOP_PLUSZ-1.3.2-23-DE1-2025-00001
Beneficiary: Municipality of Debrecen
Project title: “Environmental Development at Bem Square”
Awarded funding: HUF 605,752,870
Funding intensity: 100%
Planned completion date: 31 May 2028

The spatial layout of the park will be renewed, with grassed areas organised into larger units, resulting in an overall increase in green space. The grassed areas will form elongated rectangles, with their surfaces varying in height between 0 and 60 cm (three-dimensionally). This will be achieved through the construction of steps and embankments. Elevating flat surfaces and inclining the grassed areas will not only aesthetically increase the amount of greenery but will also provide the park as a whole with a distinctive character. The paved open spaces within the site will be concentrated around key focal points, such as the forecourt of the library and the surroundings of the Trianon treaty flag memorial.

The central element of the renewed Trianon treaty memorial site will continue to be the flag, although the structure of the square will change. The border of the green area surrounding the concrete base of the flagpole will be arranged using a low retaining wall. The uniqueness of the space will be enhanced by its distinctive planting (Arizona cypresses) and decorative illumination of its features. The “Hungarian Sorrow” statue, located in the southern part of Bem Square, will remain in its current position, but it will be surrounded by a large decorative annual flower bed bordered by stepping stones. Access to the artwork will be provided by a triple row of stepping stones. The park’s existing furnishings will be removed and replaced with new outdoor furniture. A small playground will be constructed in front of the blood donation centre building. Community rest areas with benches and decorative flower beds will be created in both the northern and southern sections of the square. The fountain, which is currently out of operation, will be refurbished, and rose beds (a rose garden) will be established in the surrounding paved area. The park design will connect with the reconstructed Nyíl Street–Bem Square junction, with the contractor treating the already completed pavements and pedestrian crossings as existing features. Although the primary objective of the project is the development of green infrastructure, resurfacing works will also be carried out on the car park and service road to improve access to the area, solely to facilitate destination traffic. No other transport developments form part of the project. Improvements to the service road and car park will support access to the green space and promote the proper use of the square.

The renewed biodiverse green spaces, parks and playgrounds are generally based on environmentally conscious concepts in every respect and are designed to provide opportunities for people of all ages to spend their leisure time in a meaningful and enjoyable manner.

The technical content of the project also includes a public safety camera system equipped with high-resolution image-processing intelligence, which will help to reduce and prevent criminal and anti-social activities that diminish residents’ sense of security. The developments will also improve the overall environmental condition of the area.

The principal objective of the project is to develop green infrastructure within the Bem Square action area in Debrecen, in a manner that fulfils the development objectives of the TOP Plus programme and aligns with the priority areas of the “Liveable County” initiative (including climate adaptation, municipal green and blue infrastructure, recreational spaces and services, the development of urban roads, and related sustainable urban development projects). Through the implementation of family-friendly and climate-friendly development elements, the project will contribute to encouraging residents, particularly young people, to remain in the local area. The project complies with environmental sustainability requirements and thereby contributes to the creation of a greener urban environment.

Partnership arrangements have been an integral part of the project from the outset of the planning phase.

In August 2024, a permanent working group, the Partnership Forum, was established to prepare the development. Its meetings are scheduled to continue until the completion of the investment project, depending on the tasks to be undertaken. The allocation of roles within the regularly convening working group (for example, decision-maker, municipal officer responsible for designated tasks, etc.) was agreed jointly. Community engagement has also commenced. The first such event, entitled “Parliament in the Park” (Methodology for Situation Assessment), took place at the Bem Square development sites in September 2024. Meaningful dialogue took place with residents and area users in order to increase support for, and ensure the long-term sustainability of, the planned investment.

The project’s technical and professional content was reviewed by the Green Infrastructure Design Review Panel, as the professional quality assurance process is mandatory for green and blue infrastructure developments implemented under the TOP Plus programmes. The primary objective of the panel is to ensure that investments are sustainable, environmentally responsible, and incorporate modern principles of landscape architecture and water management.

The technical design documentation for construction is already available; therefore, the public procurement procedure for selecting the contractor may soon be launched.

The project is being implemented within the framework of the Territorial and Settlement Development Operational Programme Plus, financed by the European Regional Development Fund with support from the European Union and co-financing provided by the Hungarian State.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu