Over the next year and a half, we will explore together with the residents of Józsefváros what direction would be worth taking in developing Népszínház utca.
We want to create a shared vision based on the needs and ideas of locals.
Is there something you’d like to change about the street?
Or on the contrary, something you’d definitely like to preserve? Is there a lack of a good ice cream shop or a cozy bookstore?
Share your opinion with us by July 13, 2025, by filling out the questionnaire at this link:
Népszínház utca is one of the main streets of Józsefváros, a social cross-section, a concept in itself. Together with its surroundings, it is both diverse and contradictory. Its rhythm is defined by public transportation, car traffic, and the presence of various cultures—represented through restaurants and small retailers—stretching from Blaha Lujza tér to Teleki tér. It is constantly changing.
Our long-term vision is of a multicultural Népszínház utca that builds on its unique and diverse existing values—making it unlike any other street in Budapest. Our goal is to make Népszínház utca a lively, healthy, safe, and greener place where residents enjoy spending time. More broadly, we aim to maintain and introduce diverse functions that serve the local community. The visioning process is coordinated by Rév8.
Budapest100 – POST OFFICE at Népszínház utca
On the weekend of May 24–25, 2025, we’ll be taking over the former POST OFFICE space, where everyone is welcome to explore a giant Népszínház utca map. Mark what’s important to you on the street and what you think should be changed!
Architecture students from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) will present their own exhibition. Musical performances will include Zsolt Szomora and his band, as well as the AZTA band. We’ll also hold three urban walks over the weekend. On Sunday morning, we invite early risers to a community run and breakfast.
Location: Népszínház utca 42–44
Event details: https://fb.me/e/5ysbsL68R
Budapest100 is an architectural festival that offers a peek into residential buildings for a few days. This year is especially interesting: the apartment building at Népszínház utca 42–44 and the former POST OFFICE inside it are among the accessible spaces. The theme is urban greening. Several other green community spaces in the district will also host programs, including Tolnai Garden, Auróra Climate Garden, Dankó Courtyard, and the Kőris Community Garden. More details: https://budapest100.hu
How do we want to work with Népszínház utca?
Népszínház utca means something different to everyone—some love it, some don’t—but almost everyone has an opinion. It’s hard to walk through it without feeling something. Some are drawn to the charm of the old, elegant apartment buildings; others are bothered by the litter left behind.
The street is constantly changing: new shops open and close, many new residents move in. The Alföldi–Népszínház intersection has been renewed, the Kiss József crossing is now safer, trees line the Nagyfuvaros utca junction, and a micro-park maintained by the local Internép community has been created. We’d like to encourage similar small-scale interventions to bring about change.
We’re aware of issues such as public safety, social challenges, the lack of trees, and the difficulty of crossing the street safely. At the same time, we want to preserve what’s good and support initiatives already in progress. We don’t want to completely erase the street, but rather rediscover it.
What has happened so far?
In recent years, we have made several intersections more friendly and green, and prepared for tree planting along Népszínház utca as well as new pedestrian crossings. According to the plans, 36 trees rooted in the ground and around 4,400 perennial plants will be planted, along with two new pedestrian crossings. However, funding for these developments is not yet secured.
In addition, Rév8 is partnering with the Contemporary Architecture Centre and BME’s Department of Urban Planning in an international project aimed at creating a city planning toolkit. This will amplify the voices of hard-to-reach, vulnerable groups so that public spaces undergoing transformation can serve local residents—not just passersby or wealthier social groups.
More details are available about this project.
What’s coming next?
We’re currently surveying commercial spaces, existing and missing functions, liked and disliked spots, values, and problem areas—with help from local residents. At the same time, we are looking at green spaces, social issues, public safety, and transportation using different approaches.
We want to work with the community to define what the street and its surroundings should be like, how it should evolve, and what tools and interventions are needed to get there.
In our current questionnaire, we’re curious: What do residents like using? What do they need? What do they see as valuable and worth preserving? We will use the responses to, among other things, launch a commercial space tender in 2026 for vacant premises owned by the Józsefváros Municipality, aligned with these needs. We also want to involve private property owners to ensure as many spaces as possible are filled with functions that serve the community.
Fill out our questionnaire by midnight on July 13, 2025. It’s anonymous and takes 10 minutes:
https://jozsefvaros.hu/go/nepszinhaz_street
We’ll be present on the street several times to gather feedback in person.
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Want to share more about the street?
Have a story or photo of Népszínház utca you’d like to share with us? Write to us at info@rev8.hu with the subject “Népszínház utca.”
These stories help us understand the street even better—thank you in advance!