Plans for a controversial development project in Budapest called “Mini-Dubai” are taking shape. The Hungarian government published a corresponding draft on Friday. An investor from the United Arab Emirates will build a ‘Dubai-like neighborhood’ with a skyscraper of 220 to 240 meters high. The government supports the necessary infrastructure with 800 million euros in taxpayers’ money, while five billion euros comes from private investors.
As the Hungarian online portal “444.hu” reported, in accordance with the draft, the government is selling a 130-hectare site of the Rákosrendezö freight station in Budapest’s 14th district in Zugló to the designated investor without a prior tender. Due to its central location, this is considered a sought-after property.
Five billion euros will be invested in the area
At the same time, the project is qualified as an excellent investment from the perspective of the national economy. According to the published draft, the government would take over the infrastructure development needed for the “Mini-Dubai” project with taxpayers’ money amounting to 800 million euros. Consider, for example, the construction of a road viaduct, the paving of the railway line in the area or an extension of the M1 metro line. At the same time, the government of the United Arab Emirates commits to the entrepreneur realizing an investment worth five billion euros in the area.
Well-known businessman
According to the online portal hvg.hu, the investor is likely Dubai businessman Mohamed Alabbar, who also built the 828-meter Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, in Dubai.
Survey: Majority of the population is against megaproject
The project has sparked heated debates in the Hungarian capital since the first plans were published by the research portal “VSquare” at the end of November. According to a survey by the opinion research institute Median, the majority of Budapest residents vote against the “Mini-Dubai” project, reports the online portal “Telex.hu”. In terms of party sympathies, sympathizers of the ruling Fidesz party were more likely to support the project, while opposition supporters were undecided. The project is rejected by supporters of the right-wing extremist party “Mi Hazánk” (Our Fatherland) and the satirical party Kétfarkú Kutyapart (Party of the Two-Tailed Dog).
Mayor puts alternative plans on the table
Gergely Karácsony, the mayor of Budapest, described the Rákosrendezö freight station as the capital’s “golden reserve” that should be developed, but not in this way. In return, he presented plans to build a green, sustainable residential area in the area, called Parkstadt. .
The mayors of the affected neighborhoods are also protesting against the project with the planned skyscraper. The mayor of District This would significantly change the face of the city, given its location right behind Heroes’ Square, one of Budapest’s landmarks, the portal “Epiteszforum.hu” reported.
The system-critical movement Szikra also launched a petition against the planned project. The Zugló district and the adjacent Angyalfold district in the 13th century. Neighborhoods do not need luxury skyscrapers, but affordable rental apartments, student flats, parks and playgrounds.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
