Budapest demolishes abandoned buildings to restore safety

Budapest’s 13th district began demolishing abandoned buildings along Tatai út, near Angyalföld, after they became a hub for crime and squatters.

For nearly two years, the buildings, a former railway property, stood empty while plans for a large development stalled. The Budapest Public Works (BKM) eventually took ownership, but the site attracted people from Borsod and Szabolcs counties who collected plastic bottles for deposit refunds and illegally occupied the buildings.

Residents reported rising crime, vandalism, drug use, and break-ins, prompting the district’s mayor, József Tóth, to appeal to city officials for action. After the BKM cleared the way for demolition, the 13th district government allocated 61 million forints to start the work on September 7th. Demolition crews are currently working on the ground-floor structures, with plans to move towards the taller buildings near the Railway History Park.

Local residents say they now feel safe enough to wear jewelry again after avoiding it for a year and a half. While a foundation assisting people experiencing homelessness was unable to provide information on the displaced residents, neighbors believe many moved to nearby districts.