Attila Péterffy, Mayor of Pécs since 2019, is leading its city with a focus on sustainability, smart urban development, and community cohesion. As a member of the EU Covenant of Mayors Board, he brings the voice of mid-sized cities and advocates for stronger cooperation to accelerate the green transition.
In our conversation, Mayor Péterffy discusses Pécs’ transformation, from a city facing economic and social challenges to one taking concrete steps toward climate neutrality and sustainable urban development. He highlights collective decision-making, key projects advancing climate goals, and the importance of collaboration between European cities to achieve shared sustainability objectives.
What are your top priorities as Mayor, and how do they align with your city’s long-term vision for sustainability and climate resilience?
When I took over the leadership of Pécs in 2019, I was given a mandate by the people of Pécs to lead the city out of a state of depression, debt, and lack of vision. Since then, we have been rebuilding Pécs through locally made, collective decisions, shaping a community that respects dialogue and is capable of ensuring long-term sustainable development.
A key part of this effort is defining the city’s sustainability and climate resilience goals, which we have set together with the civil and political actors of the municipal assembly, empowered by the people of Pécs. The city is moving towards climate neutrality and smart urban development, managing its resources responsibly, supporting sustainable investments and encouraging knowledge-based, environmentally and health friendly industrial activities.
We are building a green community that is not only environmentally conscious, but also strong and cohesive. One of our main goals is to ensure that Pécs, as one of Hungary’s most prestigious university cities, remains attractive to young people while further strengthening its role as a key cultural hub outside the capital. Artistic autonomy and the appreciation of the civil sector are of paramount importance in this endeavour.
We have made great progress toward a developing, liveable, and caring city, and we will continue on this path.
Can you share the most exciting or transformative project in your city right now that is helping to meet the Covenant of Mayors’ targets? Why does this project stand out for you?
I would like to highlight one particular project among the ongoing developments in Pécs — one that I hope will one day provide both green and tangible benefits to many cities.
A Pécs-based company has been working with fuel cells since 2007. As early as 2010, the company collaborated with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Pécs. Their first prototype, developed as a family business, was a fuel cell-powered bicycle.
The company's specialists are currently working on a hydrogen-powered electric yacht and, which may be even more exciting for Pécs and I hope for many other cities, a prototype of a hydrogen-electric hybrid waste collection vehicle. The company expects the first prototypes of the waste collection vehicle to be ready by the end of 2025. I sincerely hope that Pécs will one day be able to contribute to the creation of a Europe with cleaner air with this project.
As a member of the Covenant of Mayors Board, what unique perspective or initiative do you hope to bring to the table? What do you hope to learn from your fellow mayors in return?
As a board member of the Covenant of Mayors, I want to bring the perspective that we can achieve our sustainable urban development goals more effectively through cooperation and joint action. Many European cities face the same challenges — whether it’s greening transportation, improving energy efficiency, or ensuring sustainable public services. If we implemented these developments collectively rather than separately in each city, we could significantly reduce costs and speed up execution. For example, when purchasing electric buses, cities working together and negotiating directly with manufacturers could secure much better conditions. For us, the priority is not that the funding goes directly to individual cities, but that it is used as efficiently as possible to serve our shared goals.
In return, I hope to learn from my fellow mayors about successful community initiatives that make the benefits of climate neutrality tangible and understandable for people. There are many great examples across Europe that don’t necessarily require significant investment but help local residents see that these measures are about their future — about why their children and grandchildren will choose to stay and build their lives in these cities. Cluj-Napoca, for instance, has already provided us with valuable ideas, strengthening our sister city relationship on a new level. I firmly believe that knowledge-sharing between cities is one of the most effective tools in building a sustainable future.
What makes you proudest about your city, especially in terms of its commitment to sustainability and improving quality of life?
Of all our achievements in sustainability, I am perhaps most proud of my active role in transforming the district heating system of Pécs into a climate-friendly model. This was made possible by a long-term heat supply agreement signed in 2000 between the municipality and the local power plant, which provided significant benefits for both parties. The city gained access to a reliable and abundant source of thermal energy, while the energy company was given a predictable environment in which it could make long-term investments with sustainability in mind.
As part of this process, the former coal-fired power plant transitioned in two phases to renewable energy sources — wood chips and baled agricultural by-products. I led this transition as the company’s director. Thanks to this transformation, since 2013, 99% of the heating in more than 30,000 district-heated homes and nearly 50 public institutions in Pécs has come from renewable energy sources.
This major development laid the foundation for me, as mayor, to initiate the creation of the Pécs Climate Agreement. We signed this agreement with key partners in September 2023. It is more than just a document — it is a shared commitment that defines the city’s most important sustainability goals.
Pécs is one of Hungary’s most prestigious university cities, a religious center with a history spanning 2,000 years, and the economic and educational hub of the region. Among the first signatories of the agreement were the University of Pécs, the diocese, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and several prominent local businesses. Our goal is to encourage as many partners as possible to join because a truly sustainable city can only be built through collective effort.
This initiative also played a crucial role in Pécs being awarded the European Commission’s Mission Label, a significant international recognition for our commitment to sustainable urban development.
Beyond the official duties, how do you personally connect with the people and culture of your city? Any local traditions or hidden gems you’d recommend to visitors?
For me, the strength of the city lies in its community, its local creators, and its vibrant cultural life. I regularly meet the people of Pécs at events, markets, and cultural gatherings, and I believe it is essential to stay in dialogue with them, as they are the ones who truly shape the city.
Pécs is full of fascinating traditions and hidden treasures that I love to recommend to visitors. The Zsolnay Cultural Quarter and the Kodály Centre are true cultural icons, while the Mediterranean atmosphere of the historic downtown, our unique museums, or even a walk in the Mecsek hills towering over the city are all unforgettable experiences.
If I had to highlight one truly special event, it would be the Zsolnay Light Festival, one of the largest festivals in Hungary. This event brings the city to life in a unique way: the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter and the Mediterranean downtown are transformed into a new dimension through light art, new media art, and street performances. Each year, the festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors, showcasing the creative and innovative spirit of Pécs in the best possible way.
Išsamūs duomenys
- Paskelbimo data
- 14 May 2025