Chapter 9

This post differs from the previous ones; it concerns less with actual, individual districts and more with all of them. However, I felt this was appropriate because it is a recent issue. Politics will be not discussed here, nevertheless I must yield to the fact that Fidesz, the major right wing party in Hungary, was elected and they have a different kind of policy on the districts, or so they say. You must know that Hungary has a large number of offices concerning with villages, towns, and cities. In fact, the local governments are so many and so complicated that it drains horrible amounts of funds. This has been a problem for ages, now the new government whishes to cut the budget and axe the expenses. What does this mean and how does it affect Budapest? Nobody is sure; however, let us contemplate on this issue a bit.

You may know that Budapest has 23 districts and compared to Berlin, Hamburg, or any other major city of Western Europe that’s a lot. Some districts are to be merged. But which ones? Of course, the future government has no official statement on this, however, quite a few speculations have emerged. I will show you the most popular.

According to the simulation there would be only 8 districts (Superdistricts, as some call them). The names may be somewhat derogatory, it is merely to coin the different areas.



- Elite Buda district. This would contain the districts 1, 2, and 12. More of an upper-class area with former districts such as the Vár.
- Northern Project district. Districts 3, 4, and 15 included. Somewhat a lower-class residency area with tall projects around.
- Újlipóca (13th district). The name would remain the same, as well as the district itself. It is so huge with its 110000 denizens that it needs no additional regions.
- Downtown. Basically, what the name suggests. Districts 5, 6, 7, and 8 are to be put in the melting pot. Makes sense? Definitely. Even today one may roam from one to another without noticing any difference.
- Worker’s quarters. Districts 9, 10, 19, 20. Similar to the Northern Project district, however, more specifically a working class area.
- Southern Pest. Uniting districts 17, 18, 23. This landscape shows more of a network of towns, than an actual part of Budapest. These districts include places like Rákoscsaba, Rákoscsaba-Újtelep, Rákosfalva, however the slang just calls them Rákosborzasztó, Rákos-awful, due to their remoteness and rural qualities.
- Southern Buda and Csepel. Again, not a high class residency, though it is neither the slums. Lower-middle class residents, condos, projects, houses, suburbs. Presently known as districts 11, 21, 22.
- Eastern Pest. The true suburbs, the vast greens of districts 14 and 16 could be drawn together. Home to the upper-middle class.


This is one simulation, there are many others. Again, nobody is certain of the future, how the map will be rewritten, if it is going to be rewritten. But change is needed. Until then let us enjoy our homes as they are.