Dr Judit Kálmán contributes to EU urban policy debates in Rome

The project analyses and compares the implementation of the urban dimension of EU Cohesion Policy and other EU programmes across two budgetary periods (2014–2020 and 2021–2027) in eight European cities, based on close cooperation between researchers and municipal actors. 

In her presentation, Dr Kálmán highlighted the case of Budapest. Despite concentrating nearly 40% of Hungary’s GDP and 20% of its population, the city operates in a highly centralised governance environment. This has affected its role in cohesion policy implementation, including the absence of managing or intermediate body functions, a sharp decline in EU funding since 2021, and increasing financial constraints. 

The findings offer important insights into urban governance, partnership arrangements, and the practical functioning of EU Cohesion Policy. For the department, this work demonstrates how teaching and research are closely connected to ongoing European policy debates. 

Photo credit: Representation of Budapest to the EU