XIII. District.
It always occurred to me that the 13th district works as an autonomy. When you walk on its streets and finally get to the “town square” you have the impression that you are a couple of kilometers from Budapest in a town run by a separate local government. I couldn’t quite grasp the reason why and thought that it was my own nonsensical daydream. However, when the elections came and this was the only district in Budapest (and practically in the whole country) which reelected the old, socialist mayor, I kept wondering. Is there a certain degree of isolation here?
I know, I always make statements that include some thought about the occlusion of a certain area. However, this time, it was different. As I rode my bike on the streets it started to make sense. Other districts represent stereotypes. The Vár is a very high class, very secluded area. Zugló is an easy-going suburbian region. Downtown with districts 6 and 7 are home of the intellectuals and the 8th district has its dual quality. However, these aforementioned places are all flat, one dimensional. Zugló is great for recreation but there are no job opportunities. The inner districts offer many workplaces (for the middle and upper class) but the numbers of sleeping quarters are limited. And the Vár is basically a frosting on a cake; pretty yet has no practical use whatsoever aside from the tourists.
If we examine the map we will find that the 13th district on the other hand has many advantages. It is neighboring the inner districts, namely the 5th and 6th. This means that it has some connection with the vivid social life of downtown. The town central is not far, can be easily reached. It is also has common borders with district 14th. This means that it is close to the quiet, green realm of the suburbs. The neighbor affects the 13th‘s eastern parts: trees and grass are all over the place. It offers peace and tranquility. To the north lie the tall projects of the 4th district, compared to that the 13th is a metropolis. As a bonus, the Danube borders the area from the west, connecting it to the waterways. The conclusion? Whereas other districts are particularly strong in only one sense the 13th district manages in many fields. It doesn’t excel, yet it is potent, and that is something the other areas can’t say for themselves. No wonder that the hypothetical rearrangement of the city leaves it as it is. It may not have any flashy features; in fact, it has worn-down streets and buildings as well. However, that is exactly the point: it is self sustainable, it deals with its own filth. It is stable and that is the most important for its residents at the moment. Let’s hope the other districts will watch and learn.
It always occurred to me that the 13th district works as an autonomy. When you walk on its streets and finally get to the “town square” you have the impression that you are a couple of kilometers from Budapest in a town run by a separate local government. I couldn’t quite grasp the reason why and thought that it was my own nonsensical daydream. However, when the elections came and this was the only district in Budapest (and practically in the whole country) which reelected the old, socialist mayor, I kept wondering. Is there a certain degree of isolation here?
I know, I always make statements that include some thought about the occlusion of a certain area. However, this time, it was different. As I rode my bike on the streets it started to make sense. Other districts represent stereotypes. The Vár is a very high class, very secluded area. Zugló is an easy-going suburbian region. Downtown with districts 6 and 7 are home of the intellectuals and the 8th district has its dual quality. However, these aforementioned places are all flat, one dimensional. Zugló is great for recreation but there are no job opportunities. The inner districts offer many workplaces (for the middle and upper class) but the numbers of sleeping quarters are limited. And the Vár is basically a frosting on a cake; pretty yet has no practical use whatsoever aside from the tourists.
If we examine the map we will find that the 13th district on the other hand has many advantages. It is neighboring the inner districts, namely the 5th and 6th. This means that it has some connection with the vivid social life of downtown. The town central is not far, can be easily reached. It is also has common borders with district 14th. This means that it is close to the quiet, green realm of the suburbs. The neighbor affects the 13th‘s eastern parts: trees and grass are all over the place. It offers peace and tranquility. To the north lie the tall projects of the 4th district, compared to that the 13th is a metropolis. As a bonus, the Danube borders the area from the west, connecting it to the waterways. The conclusion? Whereas other districts are particularly strong in only one sense the 13th district manages in many fields. It doesn’t excel, yet it is potent, and that is something the other areas can’t say for themselves. No wonder that the hypothetical rearrangement of the city leaves it as it is. It may not have any flashy features; in fact, it has worn-down streets and buildings as well. However, that is exactly the point: it is self sustainable, it deals with its own filth. It is stable and that is the most important for its residents at the moment. Let’s hope the other districts will watch and learn.
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