On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, during a recent study visit, partners of the CONE (Cities of Nature, Nature-based Solutions in Urban Living Labs) project explored in Budapest innovative Sponge City solutions that help cities adapt to climate change while creating more liveable public spaces.
The visit featured the Gardenfutura Sponge City Walk, showcasing two pioneering urban regeneration projects. At Arany János Street, participants learned about Budapest’s first street reconstructed using the Stockholm Tree Planting System. The site serves as a unique living laboratory where trees of the same age and species grow in three different planting systems, allowing future comparison of their ecological and economic performance.
At Bajcsy Passage, partners discovered how a former traffic corridor was transformed into a pedestrian-friendly public space with soil-connected trees, planted islands and cycling infrastructure. The project demonstrates how climate resilience, biodiversity and community-oriented urban design can be successfully combined.
The walk highlighted how Sponge City technologies support water retention, reduce urban heat, improve air quality and strengthen the resilience of urban green spaces. It was led by Gábor Szőllősi, Managing Director of Gardenfutura, one of Hungary’s leading green-blue infrastructure consultancies.
For CONE partners, the visit offered valuable inspiration and practical examples of how nature-based solutions can contribute to more sustainable and climate-resilient cities across Europe.