Regional development and landscape design of the Balaton lake bay in Hungary

Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Project idea

Balaton lake is the largest lake in Hungary - a point of concentration of the locals for summer socializing and vacation time spending. The location is taken in Badacsony region - mostly known for it's vineries, rushing people towards shipping port and liveable market atmosphere along the port. The region is also full of unique Soviet times buildings of high quality; However, one of the most visited places of Badacsony region is not functioning in most of its potential. The beauty of the landscapes around and the turquoise color of lake is inviting to stay more, to have a stroll around, to have an opportunity to unite with nature and swim. The project idea is in providing the well-equipped enjoyable place for socializing the tourists and locals, to popularize the Hungarian region by their unique identity, to introduce hungarian citizens that high quality public spaces can also be in the small regions.

Project description

- analysis of the current abandoned area nearby shipping port (people usage of nearby areas, accesses to area and terrain inclination (through SketchUp location search))
- solution search for the purpose to make people make loop route, escaping going directly to port and losing a chance to enjoy the Badacsony natural valuables.
- emerging Soviet time legacy as a part of attention to identity of the place
- creation of new functions: beach, walking promenade around the water, recreational spaces, cafes, service buildings, and mainly, park area.

Technical information

- The area of water surface for the pool of adults is considered for 38 people in one-time usage, the children's pool is for approximately 18 children per one usage. The designed pool frame took into consideration the depth of the water landscape and the amount of people per one time usage. The "frame" is a walking promenade passing across the water, with the decreasing ramp - towards the water - to have closer connection to nature and view on vulcanos, the highest point of the promenade is 1.55m, designed in purpose of safety - to not block the first aid boats accessing to pools. The beach itself is equipped with open air showers and changing rooms. Nearby are situated the children's playground (left) and sport zone in 'adults part' (right).
- in case of place visitors, it can serve for up to 150 people during the day, therefore, the 36 car-place parking was provided.
Recreational areas:
- open air cinema projecting to one of the walls of high- quality Soviet building for attraction of more attention to the building itself and interacting with it.
- dance zone connected to cafeteria but further away from park and beach to separate active/calm environment
- floating islands to rent the one and escape the hustle to have family picnics or simply fishing. - some trainings can be organised there as well (yoga, dance studies) or even local concerts.
- nearby the left entrance, art pavilion is situated - it has psychological meaning: passing through left main walking arteria towards the ships, the ones who have no rush have the opportunity to notice he park, to enter it, since the main walking flow is passing escaping my designed area. To let person know about the area, I am attracting the visitor by visually attaching pavilion.
Service buildings:
-administration, - security, - public toilets x2, - first aid medical services, -commercial houses(for sport equipment and jet skies), cafes
Park:
-the choice of plants and trees was following - starting from water you can see low height trees and bushes, the height of the trees is decreasing towards the transport road. As well as the landscape is inclined in the same directional idea. To have an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the view towards the picturesque lake.
-the promenade is integrated to the walking road system, some of the roads can lead you towards the roofs of the buildings - to have higher observation points of the Badacsony.