Horvath-hill recreational green area development

Miskolc, Miskolc (FUA), Hungary

City population: 227095

Duration: 2021 – 2022

Implementation status: Completed

Scale: Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Project area: unknown

Type of area: Public Greenspace Area, Vacant or abandoned land, Mixed-use development (combination of residential, commercial, and/or industrial)

Last updated: October 2024

The "Active Recreational Green Area Development at Horváth-tető" in Miskolc is a project aimed at revitalizing a central yet underutilized urban space, commissioned by the Municipality of Miskolc in 2017. A distinctive feature of Miskolc is the Avas hill, located in the city center, which beautifully blends nature with urban elements. Despite its potential, the area had been neglected, particularly following the decline of vineyard culture and the reduced use of old wine cellars. To address this, a comprehensive development plan was initiated to rejuvenate the Avas region, with Horváth-tető at its core. The project aimed to transform the area into an outdoor recreational hub for all age groups. The hill's historic terraces, once popular promenades, were repurposed into distinct, multifunctional spaces. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy facilities such as street workout stations, an outdoor gym, a skate park, a climbing wall, and parkour elements. For those looking to relax, picnic areas, sunbathing spots, and a retro-style terrace are available. The entire development prioritizes accessibility, providing inclusive options for visitors with mobility challenges. The park also features significant landscaping, including the planting of trees, shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, and ferns, enhancing its overall appeal. Infrastructure improvements were made, including the restoration of stairs, paths, retaining walls, and the rainwater drainage system. A special shallow basin was designed to collect rainwater and support plant roots while also serving as a playful area for dogs within the dog park. Since its opening in 2022, the park has become a popular destination, offering a tranquil escape in a beautiful setting. It provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for people of all ages, making it a valuable addition to Miskolc’s urban landscape and connecting the historical Avas hill with modern city life.(Ref.1,2)

Birdseye-view of the project during the daylight

Municipality of Miskolc

Overview

Nature-based solution

Green areas for water management
Sustainable urban drainage systems
Other
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests

Key challenges

Environmental quality
Soil quality improvement
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Water management (SDG 6)
Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Social interaction

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Soil degradation and loss
Land use and Socio-economic change
Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
Inadequate access to recreational opportunities
Disconnection from nature

Key priorities

Social Justice and community

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests, Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Soil remediation and revegetation, Ecological restoration of existing green spaces, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Transformation of vacant land into green spaces

Project objectives

To create a multifunctional recreational space that caters to a wide range of age groups (including people with mobility issues) and interests while emphasizing environmental sustainability and greening efforts. To enhance green spaces through the planting of evergreen trees, shrubs, perennials, and 143 ferns. To promote sustainable landscaping and improve soil conditions by using pine bark for mulching and renovating 1,414 m² of lawn, along with landscaping 2,884 m² of grassed areas. To improve accessibility and usability with stabilized gravel pavement, natural stone paving, and rubber flooring to create safe and durable surfaces. To support social interactions and physical activities by installing playground elements, gym/workout stations, and a complete skate park, as well as dog fitness elements. To boost public infrastructure with bicycle stands, drinking fountains, and the construction of custom railings, street furniture, and a lookout point. To manage rainwater by creating a shallow basin in the dog park. (Ref.1,2)

Implementation activities

The Municipality of Miskolc hired Mento Kft. to implement a variety of enhancements in the area. The project included the installation of 1,091 m² of stabilized gravel pavement and 88 m² of natural stone pavement. Additionally, 1,751.5 m² of poured rubber flooring was added. As part of the landscaping efforts, the project involved planting 6 evergreen trees, 57 tall shrubs, 276 medium-height shrubs, and 2,689 low and ground-cover shrubs. Furthermore, 7,092 perennials, 376 ornamental grasses, and 143 ferns were planted. To promote sustainability, 1,800 m² of pine bark was spread, while 1,414 m² of lawn was renovated and 2,884 m² of grass area was landscaped. The project also focused on recreational facilities, incorporating 39 different playground elements, 15 gym/workout elements, and 19 dog fitness elements, all based on technical specifications. Public infrastructure improvements included 97 pieces of street furniture (benches, information posts, waste bins, tables), 277 linear meters of custom railing, 4 drinking fountains, and 22 bicycle stands. Additional features included 3 rain shelters, 1 lookout point, and the installation of 25 m of drainage and 81 m of drinking water pipeline. Five water meter-equipped manholes were constructed, along with 61 lampposts designed according to technical specifications. The project culminated in the creation of a complete skate park and a climbing wall, both designed according to production plans. (Ref.1)

Main beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups: Children, young people or youth groups , People with functional diversities

Governance

Management set-up

Government-led

Type of initiating organisation

Local government/municipality

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

Miskolc Megyei Jogú Város Önkormányzata (Miskolc Municipality) served as the main project initiator and overseer. Mento Kft. was responsible for the implementation and construction of the project. The European Union acted as a co-financier through the European Regional Development Fund, while the Hungarian State provided additional financial contributions alongside the EU. (Ref.1,2,3,5)

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown

... a national policy or strategy? Unknown

... a local policy or strategy? Yes ("Complex Strategy and Program for the Avas Hill Area" by the Municipality of Miskolc (Ref.1))

Type of enablers

Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships), Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Financing

Total cost

More than €4,000,000

Source(s) of funding

Public national budget
EU funds

Type of funding

Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

Environmental quality
Improved soil quality
Expected improved soil quality
Water management and blue areas
Improved stormwater management
Expected improved stormwater management
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Achieved increased green space area
Increased number of species present
Achieved increased number of species present
Restoration of derelict areas
Achieved restoration of derelict areas

Economic impacts

Stimulate development in deprived areas
Achieved stimulate development in deprived areas

Socio-cultural impacts

Social justice and cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Achieved improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Safety
Increased perception of safety
Achieved increased perception of safety

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Unknown

References

Municipality of Miskolc (n.d.). Aktív rekreációs zöldterület fejlesztése a Horváth-tetőn. Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

Municipality of Miskolc (n.d.). Horváth-tető Szabadidőpark. Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

Mento Kft. (n.d.). Horváth-tető fejlesztése. Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

Wikipedia contributers (n.d.). Avas. Wikipedia, Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

Municipality of Miskolc (2023). Press report - Zöld város kialakítása Miskolc Belváros – Történelmi Avas akcióterületen. Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

Nagy-Hanko, K. (2023). Zöld területeket fejlesztettek Miskolcon. BOON, Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

minap.hu (2023). Épül az Avas-tető, rá sem fogunk ismerni. Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

HM (2022). Birtokba vették Miskolcon a Horváth-tetőt. BOON, Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

Szaniszlo, B. (2023). Még egy éves sincs, de már megcsonkították a Horváth-tetőt. BOON, Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

10.

Bodogh, D. (2023). Kijavítva várja a nyarat a Horváth-tető. minap.hu, Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];

11.

Kujan, I. (2022). Szívükbe zárták a miskolciak a játékparadicsomot a Horváth-tetőn. minap.hu, Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];