Local authority collaboration regarding planning and development (11.4.7)

Local Authority Collaboration Regarding Planning and Development.

In 2025, Széchenyi István University demonstrated its ongoing collaboration with the local authority of Mosonmagyaróvár in relation to urban development. The University reported that its leadership and the city leadership regularly consult and cooperate closely to support the joint development of the city and the University. A concrete example is the planned acquisition and redevelopment of the historic Post Palace in Mosonmagyaróvár, announced on 23 July 2025. The University seeks to preserve the more than 100-year-old building while giving it new community, scientific and potentially municipal functions. As part of the proposal, the University stated that it would be willing to make the building’s ground floor available to the municipality. The city could use this space to reopen the post office that closed in 2022 or provide another service considered important for local residents. The upper floors could potentially accommodate apartments for professors. The initiative therefore provides a documented example of University-local authority cooperation concerning the future development and reuse of an important urban property for both institutional and community purposes.

In 2025, Széchenyi István University contributed directly to the City of Győr’s development through cooperation with the municipal government on the creation of a new city identity and branding strategy. Experts from the University’s Design Campus participated in preparing the public competition launched by the Municipality of Győr and joined the professional evaluation process for submitted proposals. The project was developed in cooperation with the city leadership and aimed to support Győr’s long-term development, visibility and strategic positioning.

This collaboration is further strengthened by the University’s academic expertise in urban planning, architecture and territorial development. Several members of the Architectural History and Urban Planning Department also hold positions in public administration and planning bodies, through which they contribute to the development of the city. Dr. Veöreös András, Associate Professor at Széchenyi István University, serves as deputy head of the Cultural Heritage Protection Office of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Government Office. Szalánczi Gábor, lecturer at the University, has served as Chief Architect of the Győrújbarát Mayor’s Office since 2008. Kuslits Tibor, Assistant Professor at the University, served as Chief Architect of the City of Sopron and later as State Chief Architect within the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Government Office.