BURST Group, short for "Bright URban Solutions Team," operates out of Budapest and engages experts from Hungary, the Netherlands, and Slovenia. Founded by senior professionals, the organization focuses on designing progressive and holistic responses to contemporary urban challenges, with a particular emphasis on housing and sustainability.
A key current project for BURST is its role as a partner in the EU-funded AHA Budapest initiative. The project addresses the ongoing housing crisis in Budapest by supporting the conversion of vacant public buildings into affordable, energy-efficient homes. In this context, BURST leads the project's Sustainability Working Group, developing scale-up models that can be replicated in other European cities. BURST also coordinates cooperation between public and private sectors, aiming to ensure the long-term viability of new social housing models.
Concrete achievements include contributing to the “Demo Hub,” which is transforming a former vocational school in Újpest into 26 modern rental apartments, with completion scheduled for 2026. BURST supports the implementation of energy-efficient renovations and helps establish operational frameworks for new municipal housing offices.
Outside the AHA project, BURST has contributed to other European initiatives, such as promoting nature-based solutions for urban resilience, and empowering local communities through participatory urban development.
While BURST operates across Europe, its work in Budapest stands out for addressing deep-rooted housing inequalities and testing innovative solutions transferable to a wider urban context. BURST positions itself as a specialist hub for strategic advice, grant facilitation, and partnership building for sustainable urban change.