Renewal of Inner-Erzsébetváros

Abstract

In the last few years, Inner-Erzsébetváros (the inner part of Budapest, near to the city cen- ter) has experienced construction works in such a large scale that, taken into account the ratio of empty plots and houses permitted to demolish, might bring forth the total transformation of both the physical and the social image of the area. The study analyses changes in the social status of the area in the past years; the views of present residents on renewal; the way the repeatedly announced and delayed city renewal plans affect their lives. We present processes which seem to make gentrification inevitable, interests advocating such a process, and interests being overshadowed in policy-making. The analysis is based on data of the 1990 and 2001 population census, and a survey conducted in 2005.