Józsefváros combines some of Budapest’s oldest housing stock, much of it uninsulated 19th-century terraced buildings with heritage-restricted façades, with a population facing significant social and economic vulnerability. Renovation here means balancing thermal performance against preservation rules, tight municipal budgets and a private rental market where many landlords have little incentive to invest.

Developed as part of the ComActivate project, this Neighbourhood Energy Sufficiency Roadmap (NESR) sets out a locally tailored plan for the district’s pilot area, spanning three distinct neighbourhoods each with their own housing type and challenges, from century-old courtyard buildings to 1970s panel housing complexes. It combines a technical survey of the building stock with an assessment of the social and economic factors driving energy vulnerability, and sets out goals tailored to each neighbourhood’s specific conditions.

The roadmap addresses a district on the cusp of significant change, with major institutional developments expected to reshape the area and bring a real risk of gentrification. It sets out how the municipality can use the proceeds from targeted property sales to reinvest in the residential stock most in need of improvement, while working to preserve the social character of the neighbourhood.

It also looks at the practical realities of renovating historic buildings in use, the range of municipal grant programmes available to residents and condominiums, and the role of the local Resource Centre (i.e. one-stop shoop), LakóTér, in guiding residents through the process and preparing them for changes like new heating systems and smart meters.

Download the roadmap to explore the full technical findings, vision and recommendations for Józsefváros.