Dósa Nádor Square

The love of flowers has deep roots in Debrecen’s history. Traditionally, the Flower Market has been located in the heart of the city on Csapó Street, offering a vibrant selection of flowers year-round. However, despite its significance, the spatial quality and structure of this area were underrepresented compared to the surrounding public spaces.

As part of the urban development plan, Dósa Nádor Square and a section of Csapó Street were transformed into pedestrian-friendly zones, integrating them into the city’s broader Great Reformed Church – Railway Station axis. This intervention expanded the existing pedestrian corridor along Piac Street, Kossuth Square, and Kálvin Square, establishing a larger, cohesive network of walkable public spaces.

Our design concept introduced continuous green areas, tree-lined avenues, interactive water features, and event spaces, all arranged along a central pedestrian spine extending from City Hall to the intersection of Csapó Street and Vár Street. The pathway, composed of a series of straight segments forming a broken line, is flanked by lawns, flower beds, and triangular patches of various paving materials.

On Csapó Street, the Flower Market takes centre stage. Market stalls are organized in two parallel rows along the shaded side of the street, allowing for sales in both directions. The modular market units, measuring 100×120 cm, are designed for flexibility, with a unique canopy structure providing protection from sun and rain. The adaptable setup also accommodates festive markets and functions as urban furniture when not in use.

The design and landscape elements were developed in close collaboration with the city and chief landscape architect András Kuhn. This partnership resulted in a dynamic and contemporary spatial composition, featuring distinctive concrete elements such as a lookout seating capsule, benches, and a spherical play structure that define the square’s unique character.