Department of Urban Planning and Urban Green Infrastructure

Last modified: 27. October 2025

Department's Staff

Our core faculty members have extensive professional design experience in the fields of urban planning, architecture, and landscape architecture.

Dr. Anna Szövényi, DLA, Head of Department, and Bea Polyák, Senior Lecturer, jointly teach courses related to architectural and urban design, working in close collaboration. István Kotsis, Senior Lecturer with many years of hands-on experience in urban planning, is primarily responsible for subjects related to urban design and thesis development. Dr. Réka Báthory-Nagy Ildikó ensures the balanced integration of the natural and built environment throughout the program. Levente Szczuka and Dr. Szabolcs Bérczi, both trained urban systems engineers, enrich the program with their up-to-date knowledge and practical, dynamic approach to urban design.
Anna Adorján, who is both a landscape architect and an urban systems engineer, introduces students to the urban development and planning opportunities inherent in the built and green heritage of settlements.

In addition to the core teaching staff, specialized courses are taught by highly qualified lecturers from the Institute of Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, and Ornamental Horticulture, as well as by external experts who are distinguished professionals in their respective fields.

As consultants and visiting lecturers, our highly respected former professors — renowned for their outstanding professional experience — continue to contribute to the program. Among them are Professor Emeritus Dr. István Schneller, founder of the Urban Systems Engineering program; Judit Korompay, DLA, an Ybl Prize-winning urban planner; and Imre Körmendy, former President of the Hungarian Society for Urbanism.

Throughout the program, our instructors place great emphasis on the importance of personal and online consultations and on delivering up-to-date, practice-oriented knowledge — because we believe that “face-to-face” interaction makes learning more engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable.

 

LECTURERS

Anna Andrea Szövényi DLA
Head of Department, Associate Professor
Szovenyi.Anna.Andrea[at]uni-mate.hu
Phone: +36208234120

Research and professional field: Budapest Urban Spaces, Urban Spaces of Hungary, Urban Architecture
Academic degree and year of attainment: DLA 2015
Doctoral training information: BME Doctoral School of Architecture
Publication data: Hungarian Scientific Bibliography

Subjects and courses taught:

• BSc: Introduction to Architecture 1–2, Architecture in Practice
• MSc/MLA: Architectural Studio 1–3; Urban Architecture; Urban Planning 1;
  Contemporary Architecture and Urban Design; Elective; Landscape Graphics
• C: Analysis of Urban Spaces

Education and qualifications:

• 1997–2004 – Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Architecture – Certified Architect (MSc in Architecture)
• 2005–2008 – BMGE Designer Master Course, Diploma
• 2006 – BMGE DLA School, Absolutorium
• 2015 – DLA Degree, University of Pécs (PTE)
• 2016 – Appointment as University Assistant Professor
• 2017 – Scholarship Recipient, Hungarian Academy of Arts

Professional experience:

• 2016 – Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Design, Szent István University
• 2008– Assistant Lecturer, Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Corvinus University of Budapest
• 2000– Gipsz-Lak Architectural Studio Ltd.
• 2006 – Földes and Partners Architectural Studio Ltd.
• 2005 – Hess Arch. Büro, Zurich, Switzerland
• 2003–2006 – Duran-Audio NL, Netherlands (Acoustic Modeling and Design)

Awards and recognitions:

• 2022 - MMA Architecture Scholarship
• 2007 – Urban Architecture and Landscape Architecture Traveling Exhibition – Gyöngyös Stream Revitalization, Award without Ranking
• 2003 – Hauszmann Award

 

 Anna Berta Adorján PhD
Assistant Lecturer
Adorjan.Anna.Berta[at]uni-mate.hu
Phone: +36209741942

Research and professional field:

• Opportunities for urban green infrastructure development
• Revitalization of former industrial areas

Academic degree and year of attainment: PhD 2020
Doctoral training information: Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology
Publication data: Hungarian Scientific Bibliography

Education and qualifications:

• 2012–2014 – Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Urban Planning – Postgraduate Specialist in Urbanism
• 2002–2005 – Szent István University – Ybl Miklós Faculty of Architecture – Certified Urban Engineer
• 1998–2004 – Corvinus University of Budapest – Certified Landscape Architect

Professional experience:

• 2017.02–2020.06 – SZIE YMÉK Institute of Architecture, Assistant Lecturer
• 2014.05 – Self-employed – Landscape Architect and Urban Planner
• 2005.09–2014.05 – PRO ARCH Építész Stúdió – Urban Engineer and Landscape Architect
• 2001.02–2005.09 – PAGONY Kft. – Landscape Architect Intern

Awards and recognitions:

• 2017 – Pro Architectura Award: Ózd Cultural Factory Project, lead architect Györgyi Csontos DLA

 

Ildikó Réka Báthoryné Nagy PhD
Associate Professor
bathoryne.nagy.ildiko.reka[at]uni-mate.hu
Phone: +361 3057100/6352

Research and professional field:

• Urban green infrastructure
• Urban small stream valleys
• Sustainable and climate-adaptive green space management
• Urban ecology

Academic degree and year of attainment: PhD 2007
Doctoral training information: Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology
Publication data: Hungarian Scientific Bibliography

Subjects and courses taught:

• Green Space Management
• Municipal Administration and Management
• Operation and Maintenance of Public Spaces
• Protection of Urban Heritage / Settlement Heritage Protection
• Urban Ecology
• Green Network and Green Space System
• Diploma Project II
• Nature Conservation Areas in Large Cities
• Green Roofs and Green Facades
• Creekside Landscapes
• Urban Landscapes and Urban Green System

Available thesis topics:

• Water and the City – Possibilities for the Restoration of Urban Streams
• Design of Streamside Landscapes
• Green City – Analysis and Development of Urban Green Infrastructure in a Selected Settlement
• Climate-Adaptive City – Examination of Urban Climate and Urban Development in a Selected Settlement
• City as Habitat – Analysis of Urban Ecological and Nature Conservation Relationships through a Case Study
• City as Growing Ground – Opportunities and Challenges of Developing Urban Agriculture (Urban Farming)
• City as Heritage – Urban Heritage Protection Studies in a Selected Case Area

Education and qualifications:

• Certified Landscape Architect, KÉE/SZIE 1994–2000

Awards and recognitions:

• 2021 – Landscape Architecture Award of Excellence
• 2017 – Distinguished Employee of the Faculty
• 2008 – Instructor of the Year

 

Szabolcs István Bérczi PhD
Assistant Professor
Berczi.Szabolcs.Istvan[at]uni-mate.hu
Phone: +36203873002

Research and professional field: Village renewal, village development
Academic degree and year of attainment: PhD 2022
Doctoral training information: Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology
Publication data: Hungarian Scientific Bibliography

Subjects and courses taught:

• Urban planning
• Settlement planning
• Settlement administration and management
• Regional and settlement studies

Education and qualifications:

• 2015–2022 – MATE (SZIE) Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology, PhD
• 2010–2012 – PTE Pollack Mihály Faculty of Engineering, certified urban engineer
• 2004–2009 – SZIE, certified environmental management agricultural engineer

Professional experience:

• 2009–2024 – Völgyzugoly Műhely Kft. – urban planner
• 2019–2022 – Kajászó Local Government – chief architect
• 2021–present – Member of the Board of the Hungarian Urban Planning Association
• 2020–present – Member of the expert committee of the ARGE European Village Renewal Award
• 2019–present – Member of the expert committee of the Hungarian Village Renewal Award

 

István Kotsis
Senior Lecturer
kotsisistvan984[at]gmail.com

Subjects and courses taught:

Available thesis topics:

 

 

 

 

Beáta Polyák
Senior Lecturer, Master Instructor
Polyak.Beata[at]uni-mate.hu
Phone: +36706317606

Academic experience: DLA Absolutorium 2008
Doctoral training information: BME Doctoral School of Architecture
Publication data: Hungarian Scientific Bibliography

Subjects and courses taught:

• BSc: Introduction to Architecture 1–2, Architecture in Practice 3–4, Urban Heritage Protection, Thesis Preparation
• MSc: History of Settlements, Architecture 1–2, Contemporary Architecture, Urban Heritage Protection, Diploma Project
• MA: Architectural Space Theories 1–2
• MLA: Architectural Space Theory, Elective
• Erasmus: Urban Memory
• C: Archicad in Practice

Professional experience:

• 2010 – Corvinus University / Szent István University / MATE – Department of Urban Design – Assistant Lecturer, later Senior Lecturer
• 2009–2010 – Corvinus University, Department of Urban Design, External Lecturer
• 2008–2009 – Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Architecture – Visiting Lecturer
• 2005–2008 – DLA School, Teaching Activities

Design:

• 2021 – T1 Architect & Interior Design Studio, Architect-Designer
• 2017–2020 – Budapesti Műhely Architectural Studio, Architect-Designer
• 2009–2014 – MM Architects Architectural Studio, Architect-Designer
• 2004–2009 – Narthex Architectural Ltd., Architect-Designer

Education and qualifications:

• 2005–2008 – Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Architecture – Postgraduate Program, DLA Absolutorium
• 1997–2005 – Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Architecture – Certified Architect (MSc in Architecture)

 

Levente Szczuka
Assistant Lecturer
Szczuka.Levente.Balazs[at]uni-mate.hu
Phone: +36303788020

Research and professional field:

• Urban density
• Urban climate
• Livable cities

Academic experience: PhD Absolutorium 2018
Doctoral training information: Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology
Publication data: Hungarian Scientific Bibliography

Courses taught:

• Regional and Settlement Studies
• Thesis D3
• Urban Planning 1–2–3
• Diploma Project
• Town Planning
• Others according to the current curriculum

Available thesis topics: According to the current announcement

Education and qualifications:

• 2015 – present – PhD Program, MATE Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology (SZIE)
• 2010 – CLIM-CAP Pilot Training on Urban Climate Adaptation, ISO EN 17024 Standard, organized by Energiaklub Policy Institute Methodology Center
• 2010 – 2012 – MSc in Architectural Design, University of Pécs (PTE), Pollack Mihály Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
• 2003 – 2008 – Certified Urban Engineer, Corvinus University of Budapest (BCE), Faculty of Landscape Architecture – Urban Engineering Program

Professional experience:

• 2008 – present – URBAN-LIS STÚDIÓ KFT.

Awards and recognitions:

• 2012 – Breuer Marcell Diploma Award (International Boat Station)
• 2008 – Budapest Capital City Diploma Award (Kőbánya-Alsó – Liget Square, Mázsa Square)

 

PhD STUDENTS

Petra Flóra Pásztói
PhD Student, Research Assistant
Pasztoi.Petra.Flora[at]uni-mate.hu

Research topic: URBACT – Development of a Toolkit for Sustainable Urban Development
Doctoral training information: Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology

Education and qualifications:

• 2022–2024 – Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Certified Urban Engineer
• 2018–2021 – Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Landscape Architect and Garden Designer Engineer

Professional experience:

Awards and recognitions:

 

Salih Kawar Tahseen
PhD Student, Research Assistant
Tahseen.Salih.Kawar[at]stud.uni-mate.hu

Research topic: Urban Climate
Doctoral training information: Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology
Publication data: Publications

Education and qualifications:

Professional experience:

Awards and recognitions:

 

Péter Mandula
PhD Student, Research Assistant
Mandula.Peter[at]stud.uni-mate.hu

Research topic: Urban Climate
Doctoral training information: Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology

Courses taught:

• Urban Planning

Education and qualifications:

• 2018–2022 – Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Landscape Architect and Garden Designer Engineer BSc
• 2022–2024 – Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Urban Systems Engineering MSc
• 2024–2025 – Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Applied Geospatial Information Technology, Postgraduate Specialist Training Course

Professional experience:

• 2021–2024 – Empersend Studio Kft.
• 2024–present – Város-Teampannon Kft.

Awards and recognitions:

• University Scientific Student's Associations competition, 2nd place
• Thesis Award – Hungarian Society of Urban Planning
• Joint Diploma Award – Chamber of Hungarian Architects & Association of Hungarian Architects

 

Kata Nyitrai
PhD Student, Research Assistant
Nyitrai.Katalin.Laura[at]phd.uni-mate.hu

Research topic: Urban Climate
Doctoral training information: Doctoral School of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Ecology

Education and qualifications:

• 2015–2018 – Landscape Architecture and Garden Design MA, Institute of Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning and Garden Art, Szent István University (former MATE), Budapest
• 2016 – Erasmus Education Scholarship, Environmental Planning, Faculty of Planen Bauen Umwelt, Technische Universität Berlin
• 2011–2014 – Corvinus University of Budapest (former MATE), Landscape Architect and Garden Designer Engineer BSc

Professional experience:

• 2022–2024 – Landscape Architect, Visualizer, Gardenworks
• 2017–2019 – Landscape Architect, Újirány
• 2014 – Erasmus Traineeship Scholarship, John Lonsdale Office, Amsterdam

Awards and recognitions:

• 2019 – Ormos Imre Foundation Diploma Award
• 2019 – Hungarian Association of Landscape Architects Diploma Award
• 2014 – Győző Sádt Foundation Scholarship
• 2014 – Faculty of Landscape Architecture Diploma Award
• 2014 – Hungarian Republic Scholarship

 

Marianna Fehér-Szabó
Communications Officer 
Feher-Szabo.Marianna[at]uni-mate.hu
Phone: 1-3056288