1. badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 1
FROM STILL-LIFE TO LIFE
International Workshop
Torino, November 10TH
Politecnico
Zsuzsa Badics – Project Assistant – Hajdú-Bihar County Council

2. Brownfield pilot project in
Debrecen,
Hajdú-Bihar County
badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 2
Significant Urban Transformation
Experiences of Degraded Areas

3. Brownfield military areas in Debrecen
badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 3
3 major Soviet military areas in
Debrecen during communist era:
 Military airport
 Military camp in Kassai street
 Military camp on Sámsoni road
Between 1989 and 1991 the Soviet
military troops left Hungary.
In 1991 a government act was passed
on how to utilise the abandoned Soviet
military sites.

4. Rehabilitation of abandoned military areas
badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 4
Military airport

Debrecen International Airport
Military camp in Kassai street

part of university campus
Military camp on Sámsoni road
?
final comprehensive utilisation
is still not achieved


5. Rehabilitation of Sámsoni road military camp
badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 5
 central area used as a refugee
camp
 apartments renovated and sold
to ministry and police officers
Sámsoni road military camp taken over by Ministry of Interior
Affairs in 1991:

6. badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 6
Rehabilitation of Sámsoni road military camp
 internal roads, old buildings and
green areas are in bad condition, so
far they have remained out of use
 target of our brownfield project

7. badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 7
Location of project site

8. badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 8
Acquisition of project site
Refugee camp
Police
Apartments
In 2003, 7 pieces of land out of use were
detached and registered as separate real
estates.
In 2004, the ownership of the state owned 7
pieces of land, with a total area of 130.012
sqm, were transferred to the County Council
with the restriction that in the case of resale
within 5 years 50% of the sales price is to be
paid into State Treasury.
Soil analysis was made. Quality of soil and
water turned out to be suitable for later
construction, no significant oil pollution was
found.

9. badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 9
Rehabilitation concept
Municipality’s concept for utilisation:
Being close to suburban forest area, ideal for residential area, with houses and apartment
blocks.
Stakeholders:
 Hajdú-Bihar County Council
 Municipality of the city of Debrecen
 Ministry of Interior
 Private owners of neighbouring sites
Threats:
 Since site is within city area, any new concept to be approved of by local municipality.
 Current use of neighbouring site as a refugee camp may deter potential residents.
Actions:
 Debrecen municipality ensured county council about approving new building concept.
 In 2008, municipality initiated that the ministry should move the refugee camp out of the
city of Debrecen.

10. badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 10
Building concept
County council assigned city planners
to elaborate a new building concept
covering project site.
 13 apartment blocks with 78
apartments
 39 detached houses
 50 terraced houses
 a shopping centre with
commercial units
 a healthcare institution
 a playground
( 102 building lots on neighbouring
privately owned site.)
Based on municipality decree, new
building concept was incorporated
within the city’s building regulations.

11. badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 11
Action plan
No public utilities on site.
 Public utilities must be planned. Cost calculation should be made on
necessary public utility investment.
County council has no means to finance planning or investment.
 Private investor is necessary to be involved. Concept to involve private
investor should be elaborated.
Difficulties of utilisation:
 Neighbouring refugee camp is still in operation.
 Current economic crisis may cause difficulties in finding private investors.

12. badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu 12
Thank you for your
attention.
Zsuzsa Badics
Hajdu-Bihar County Council
e-mail: badicszsuzsa@hbmo.hu