Tree planting begins on renovated Gogol Street in downtown Szeged

NewsSzeged

Mar 5

SZEGED, Hungary — Tree planting has begun on a renovated section of Gogol Street in downtown Szeged, marking a new phase in the reconstruction of one of the city center’s key connecting roads.

Workers started planting flowering ash trees Thursday along the stretch between Londoni Boulevard and Jósika Street. By the end of the project, a total of 107 trees will be planted along the street.

Deputy Mayor for Urban Development Sándor Nagy said at a press briefing at the site that expanding green spaces is a priority in all municipal development projects. The newly planted, mature flowering ash trees are better adapted to changing climate conditions and are replacing aging or previously removed trees, he said.

The tree planting is also intended to improve long-term comfort for residents living along the street.

Nagy said the reconstruction of Gogol Street is part of a broader downtown rehabilitation program launched several years ago. Previous projects under the program included the renovation of Kárász and Kölcsey streets, Magyar Ede Square, Szent István Square, and Gutenberg Street. Renovation work on nearby Hajnóczy Street also began recently.

He added that the city plans to plant about 1,200 trees across Szeged this year. The 107 trees on Gogol Street are not included in that figure, as they are financed from last year’s budget.

Shrubs will be planted on about 325 square meters around the trees, while ground-cover vegetation will be added on roughly 666 square meters. A water-retention system installed during the reconstruction is designed to help ensure the plants receive sufficient water.

The city is also continuing its afforestation program using forestry technology, Nagy said, noting that a new forest area was recently planted near the Liliom residential park.

Deputy Mayor József Binszki, the municipal representative for the district, said sidewalks made of clinker bricks have already been completed on both sides of the section between Londoni Boulevard and Jósika Street. On the section between Jósika and Bolyai streets, work has so far been completed on one side.

When the project is finished, about 3,000 square meters of roadway will receive new asphalt along a 457-meter stretch, while roughly 2,950 square meters of sidewalk will be renewed.

The upgrade also includes the installation of 26 energy-efficient LED streetlights, along with 24 benches, 24 trash bins, and 22 bicycle racks. Intersections along the street will be redesigned with traffic-calming features.

The full reconstruction of Gogol Street costs about 572 million forints ($1.6 million) and is being financed entirely from the city’s own funds because European Union development resources are currently unavailable, Binszki said.