Sustainable strategies for social and environmental regeneration: an emblematic case study

The sustainable approach to urban renewal is increasingly pressing. Furthermore, for the large cities of Eastern Europe, mainly after 1989, when the territorial re-industrialization and the economic restructuring, led to migration flows and development of city into the surrounding. Particularly the experience of Budapest is characterized by an urban context typical of Central and Eastern Europe, where is strong the interaction with the housing policy; the urban regeneration was at first restricted to the physical restoration, and only later on involved the social and environmental aspect (Fayman at al 2008; Keresztély, Scott, 2012). The local policies together with the global situation (e.g. the financial crisis) have contributed to shape the Budapest urban quarters that cannot be largely regarded as homogeneous areas (Földi, Kovacs, 2014). The paper aims at adding a point of view on the case of urban transformation underway in Budapest. At first explores the evolution of the city structure; briefly illustrates the fragmented policies that led to public spaces and housing heterogeneity; by investigation on the new strategic approach to development, and its awareness on social sustainability, describes a social pilot project; finally explores the recent innovative vision for Budapest 2030.