Hungary’s national railway operator MÁV has announced a search for its first chief landscape architect, following calls from Vitézy Dávid to overhaul green space management along rail lines. The move comes after a controversial tree-cutting project in Zugló was suspended, sparking debate over balancing safety and environmental concerns.
The MÁV-csoport, Hungary’s largest railway network, is seeking a senior landscape architect to develop a sustainable approach to managing green spaces along its tracks and stations. This marks the first time the organization has created such a role, according to a statement from Vitézy Dávid, who emphasized the need to rethink regulations that may lead to unnecessary tree removals. It is time to rethink the management of green spaces along the railways, Vitézy wrote on Facebook, adding that the current rules may not always be justified.
A Controversial Tree-Cutting Incident Sparks Change
The push for reform followed a recent incident in Zugló, where MÁV workers cut down trees along a railway embankment during a heatwave. Vitézy Dávid immediately halted the work, calling for a comprehensive review of the company’s green space management practices. The current rules may not always be justified, he wrote on Facebook, stressing the need to align regulations with modern ecological standards.
Vitézy highlighted that existing guidelines, such as maintaining a 7-meter clearance between overhead lines and vegetation, do not account for contextual risks. A tree on an embankment poses a different risk than one on flat ground, he noted, arguing that outdated rules could result in unjustified tree removals. The minister cited a specific regulation requiring a 7-meter buffer zone from overhead lines, which he claimed does not differentiate between a tree on an embankment and one on flat ground. He added that the current regulations could lead to unnecessary tree cutting.
The New Role and Its Requirements
The chief landscape architect position requires a higher education degree in a relevant field, at least five years of professional experience, and three years in a leadership role. Applications are due by late August, with the goal of establishing a modern, sustainable green space management system, according to the job posting. The role, termed chief landscape architect in Hungarian, involves strategically managing railway green spaces, aligning railway safety, ecological, and environmental protection considerations, and helping to establish a modern, sustainable green space management system.
Vitézy Dávid described the role as critical to reconciling railway safety with environmental protection. We want to preserve green spaces without compromising safety, using 21st-century expertise and the ecological value of trees, he wrote. The minister emphasized that the current rules may lead to unjustified tree removals, and that the 21st-century professional knowledge and the ecological value of trees must form the basis for reviewing these rules. He also stated that we need excellent and innovative-minded professionals.
Broader Implications for Railway Policy
The initiative reflects growing scrutiny of how infrastructure projects balance ecological and safety priorities. MÁV’s green space portfolio includes vast areas along rail corridors, requiring coordination of safety, conservation, and urban planning goals. The organization manages one of the largest green space portfolios in Hungary, according to Vitézy, who noted that maintaining these areas serves transportation safety, nature conservation, urban aesthetics, and climate protection.
The appointment of a dedicated landscape architect signals a shift toward integrated management, though the long-term impact remains to be seen. Vitézy stated that the current rules need to be reviewed, citing the Zugló incident as evidence that many decades-old railway regulations should be re-evaluated. He also mentioned that the position will be filled by the end of August, with the job posting available in the comments of his Facebook post. The minister concluded that if you want to shape the future of Hungary’s largest railway green space system, we are waiting for your application.
As the search for a candidate progresses, the outcome could set a precedent for how Hungary approaches infrastructure and environmental stewardship. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that future decisions avoid the tensions that led to the Zugló controversy.
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