Between Hengermalom and Árasztó-part there’s an abandoned trail on the coast of the Danube, which is only approachable adventurously. We call it – after the BERT effluent – Bert promenade. The coast of the Danube in front of Hengermalom we call Hengerpart.
We think it’s important that this area get into the bloodflow of the district and Budapest and that there will be more approachable natural areas of the Danube coast in the city.
We started to explore the area in November 2024: We measured the permeability of the different parts, the natural values, the blockers and identified those parts where we can make the area approachable with small interferences.
In 2025 we continued the exploration of the Bert promenade. First, we met with the stakeholders responsible for the long-term development of the area, municipal representatives and real estate developers, with whom we toured the site in May.
During the season, we continued mapping the area together with local residents: we organized 4 interactive walks in the area, with people coming from both the 11th district or from further areas. The workshops focused on the section of Bert Promenade in front of the Hengermalom. On the first walk, we observed who uses the riverside and how, and what uses we can imagine for the area in the long term. We also placed the first VALYO furniture on the site. On the second walk, we examined what built elements remain and sought new uses for them. On the third workshop we explored what emotions the landscape evokes in us and what materials are present, so that each participant could create their own “Bert essence.” At the closing event, we walked the entire riverside section from Hengermalom to Árasztó and along the way, together with the participants, we painted the first signs of the Bert hiking trail.
We shared the results of the exploration and the workshops in the form of a continuously evolving exhibition and map in the Hengerbus and in the Mill. We will implement the experiences in the plan of the Bert Promenade 2026 project.
The great interest and active participation of the population has confirmed our belief that this area is worth dealing with, and we consider it important to participate in the development of the Bert promenade in the long term. In 2026, we will continue to cooperate with decision-makers, representing the position that in the long term, small-scale interventions should be made in the area that take into account the characteristics of the coast, natural values and the needs of the population. As partners of the international project Waterside Voices, we will continue to work in the area with the involvement of young and old people in the area, continuing community planning and thinking about the future of the Bert promenade.
