Budapest joins Energy Cities

We are pleased to
welcome Budapest back into our network.

Everybody knows
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, where the Danube splits in two, home to a
gigantic building, the “Hungarian Parliament” and renowned for its
famous thermal baths.

Did you know that Budapest …

… has one of the world’s first district heating systems?

Europe’s second, the
world’s third-largest parliamentary building is located in Budapest. The
18.000m2 building was constructed between 1885 and 1904. But you cannot see any
chimneys on this neo-gothic building! As it was neither aesthetic nor possible
logistically to deliver coal to the building every day, its heating was
resolved by unifying several distant buildings. This parliament has a unique steam
heating system, that saves energy and applies several heat exchangers.

… was a pioneer in the remunicipalisation of its drinking water?

After the 1990s, the
Budapest water company operated through public-private partnerships, but twenty
years later, after long negotiations, the city regained control and now owns almost
99% of the company.

European dynamics

Budapest has long been
involved in European projects and was one of the first cities to join the
Covenant of Mayors in 2008. Involved in the Display Campaign, Budapest has been
able to carry out major renovations and energy savings in many homes. These achievements
were possible thanks to the resident’s commitment both financially and in terms
of participation in the project’s management.

In transition

Around Budapest, many
citizens’ initiatives are being launched.

Energiahatékony Wekerle, (Energy
Efficiency Wekerle) encourages residents to reduce their energy consumption,
helps them renovate their homes, and even equip their roofs with solar panels.

The Smart City
Budapest initiative aims to showcase the best practices for companies,
institutions, non-profit organizations, and the people of Budapest. Through the
transfer of knowledge, Budapest. aims to encourage their citizens and leaders
to take action for a better city.

The new lord mayor,
Gergely Karacsony, in position since October 2019, is planning to reinforce
participative democracy in Budapest. Led by the city’s new climate chief, Ada
Amon, they also plan to engage some 50 citizen experts in a citizens’ assembly
over two weekends to discuss what Budapest could do better in urban development
and climate mitigation.

Budapest has also
re-opened their (climate) diplomacy and reinforced contacts with several
regional capitals and European cities, as well as renewed their membership in Energy
Cities. They already took an active part in our activities, attending the first
Energy Efficiency Watch focus group.

Welcome back Budapest,
to Europe’s climate pioneers!   

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Fuente: ENERGY CITIES
Enlace a la noticia: Budapest joins Energy Cities