MÉSZ Evenings – Where are you heading, „Roman Riverbank”?
Építészek Háza, 10 October 2016

Text: Zsuzsa Beliczay

The discussion of MÉSZ (the Association of Hungarian Architects) held in October focussed on the flood control and protection of the Roman Riverbank. On the day before the event on October 10th, a peaceful demonstration of several thousands of participants protest marching showed to the capital that they do not want any of the projected mobile dam system on this section of the riverbank and they wish to preserve it in its natural form, along with the tree, the pebbled bank, the ducks and kayakers. However, those living in the flood area argued that the capital has neglected dealing with the issues concerning the Roman Riverbank and left its dwellers to their own destiny, and that the system of mobile dams could be a solution they had wanted for so long. This was the first time when an official attempt was made to get the parties concerned to sit down to the same conference table and negotiate their opposite interests, although this should be only the starting point to put an end to such fierce debates in a way which has the potentials to ultimately solve the issues involved.