A century ago, the city of Pécs was an industrial powerhouse in the heart of Europe. The southern Hungarian city could boast of plentiful workplaces in nearby coal mines. And artisans from afar visited the Zsolnay Porcelain Factory, where innovative art nouveau tiles and pottery were developed.
Two world wars and decades of communist rule eroded the fortunes of Pécs, however. And when state-owned mines and companies were privatised 20 years ago, the city and surrounding region became mired in high unemployment.
Cultural dynamoOfficials in Pécs hope that fate can be reversed in 2010 when the city assumes the title of European Capital of Culture.
They believe the annual EU programme which selects two European cities and provides funding for cultural activities and institutions will help transform the former manufacturing centre into a cultural dynamo for the entire region.
“This is a unique project,” says Csaba Ruzsa, managing director of Pécs2010, the steering group which oversees the Capital of Culture campaign.
“It’s the first time a Hungarian city has been selected to be a Capital of Culture since we joined the EU in 2004,” he explains. “It’s also the first time EU funding will be used for building cultural activities rather than for building roads, trams and other infrastructure.”
Back on the mapRuzsa and the Pécs2010 committee have ambitious plans to rejuvenate the city by renovating the Zsolnay Porcelain Factory into a cultural centre as well as building a state-of-the-art library and concert hall.
The yearlong programme of cultural activities could have a spill over effect on the local economy, says Ruzsa.
“We hope being the Cultural Capital will open the city up, as well as the rest of the region, and put Pécs back on the map.”
Puppet shows and art galleriesCOWI’s office in Budapest was part of the consortium which performed the feasibility study needed to secure EU funding for cultural programming. A team of six analysts focused in particular on the proposed Zsolnay Cultural Quarter.
“It’s an extremely complex project,” says Thuránszky Miklós, COWI’s co-ordinator on the feasibility study.
In the factory’s new life as the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, for example, porcelain production will have to be moved to the eastern section of the grounds, making room for a total 41,000 square metres of floor space that will house galleries, cafés, a puppet theatre, and studios and galleries for resident artists.
COWI brought in outside experts with a background in arts and crafts, Miklós says, to shed light on cultural aspects of the project. Calculations were also made to determine ow many parking spaces will be needed to accommodate the 180,000 visitors expected each year.
The entire project is estimated to carry a price tag of HUF 11 billion (EUR 38 million). A national Assessment Committee is currently examining the study and expected to deliver a final decision in May as to how much funding the project actually receives, Miklós adds.
By Uzi Frank, uzif@cowi.com Published 01.05.2009
Project Manager Thuránszky Miklósthm@cowi.hu
Vice President of COWI Central & Eastern EuropePeter Hostrup Rasmussenpra@cowi.com
Economic analyses Regional development
The Zsolnay Factory
Project description of Zsolnay Cultural Quarter at Pécs 2010