Owing to its favourable geographical location and strategic role, Kecskemét is one of Hungary’s most dynamically developing cities. To relieve pressure on the historic city centre, the creation of a new urban sub-centre became necessary—one that would provide residential functions and services supporting a high quality of life for the city’s inhabitants, while also serving as a new service hub for the rapidly expanding Kecskemét metropolitan area.

The concept draws on the self-sufficient, sustainable and environmentally conscious traditions of Kecskemét’s historic market-town culture. We envisaged a district rooted in the region’s traditional way of life, reinterpreted through contemporary urban design principles. Community agricultural areas, easily accessible green spaces and nature-based recreational opportunities become integral parts of everyday urban life.

A developed area can become a genuine city or urban district only when those who live and work there form a community. For this reason, every stage of the design process placed particular emphasis on elements that draw people away from digital environments and back into tangible physical space, supporting personal interaction, encounters and collaboration.

A vibrant and varied urban density is organised around open public spaces and structured by a network of building volumes and functions of differing character. The concept places people, pedestrian activity and community life at its centre, rather than vehicular traffic or an inward-looking development model. The combination of residential, workplace, service, recreational and community functions enables residents, employees and visitors to form an active and diverse urban community.

The aim of the design was not merely to create a new district, but to provide the spatial framework for a community-oriented way of life. The appeal of the new sub-centre derives from a conscious, nature-oriented lifestyle and its expression through urban design. The area was conceived as a heterogeneous urban district in which diversity of built form, functions, materials, green spaces, shared areas and user groups collectively shapes the character of Kecskemét’s new urban sub-centre.