Targeted building & district
~100,000 residents (district)
245 ha (intervention zone)
~400 sqm (Pálma hub)
Budapest’s 18th district (BP18), located on the southeastern outskirts, is characterized by a suburban, garden-like atmosphere but suffers from fragmentation due to heavy transit routes like the road to Budapest Airport.
Major traffic axes create physical barriers, isolating communities.
There is a shortage of inclusive spaces for social interaction, particularly for youth, leading to institutional distrust and isolation.
The municipal building stock, including the abandoned "Pálma" community center (consuming ~256 kWh/m²), requires deep renovation to meet modern climate standards.
BLUEPRINT aims to turn these challenges into opportunities by engaging the youth in co-designing a sustainable and cohesive future.
The project focuses on two scales: renovating the Pálma building and reimagining the Üllői Road axis.
🧱 Youth-centric adaptive reuse: transforming the abandoned Pálma building into a dynamic community hub for social, educational, and cultural activities, co-designed by young residents.
🌳 Participatory revitalization of Üllői Road: reimagining this busy traffic axis as a pedestrian-friendly, climate-resilient corridor using mixed reality tools to connect fragmented neighborhoods.
⚡ Energy-efficient renovation: conducting deep energy retrofitting of the Pálma building, integrating renewable energy systems and nature-based solutions to reach NZEB standards.
🤝 Third-place development: creating a network of inclusive spaces anchored by the Pálma center to promote skills building, arts, and sustainability, reducing social isolation.
☀️ Solarpunk-inspired programs: launching educational initiatives and workshops focused on sustainable living to engage youth in envisioning a climate-positive future.
The pilot brings together municipal governance, technical experts, and local associations:
BP18 (Municipality of 18th District)
Owner of the site and leader of the local integrated urban development strategy.
ABUD
Sustainability consultancy leading the technical implementation and pilot assessment.
