A majority of local politicians want fewer cars, clear criteria for events and maybe more green. But some fear that the “axe to the Dulten” could be laid as a result.
A catalog of criteria for events on Mariahilfplatz is still in the making, but the Au-Haidhausen (BA) district committee has already taken initial positions on this highly controversial topic in the district. The committee does not want to categorically rule out commercial events between the Dulten on the extensive area around the parish church, but rather examine applications on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, the local politicians spoke out in favor of a citizens’ workshop on the design of the Mariahilfplatz. After a heated debate, a majority also advocated no longer using the area as a parking lot.
With its resolutions, the BA is reacting to the 23 applications that were made at the extremely well-attended residents’ meeting in April on the use and design of Mariahilfplatz. This was preceded by a month-long debate about the question of whether this central area in the Au needs to be revitalized by means of additional events, or whether the square is already being used sufficiently by the Dulten, the farmers’ market and the weekly market. The decision on how to use the space is up to the city’s Department for Economics and Labour. However, this is usually based on the vote of the district committee, which is why it plays an important role.
In order to create clear rules for the approval of events on Mariahilfplatz, the BA is planning to create a catalog of criteria. However, the committee had already dealt with the motions of the residents’ assembly beforehand, although its resolutions sometimes deviated from the voting results at the time. Unlike the majority of those present in April, the BA does not want to categorically rule out commercial events on the square. At the same time, however, local politicians rejected use by concert promoters. At the request of the Greens, a narrow majority voted in favor of eliminating the existing parking lot from 2024 when the operator’s contract expires. “This village square by the Au is far too good to park cars on it,” argued BA boss Jörg Spengler (Greens). In the meantime, the decision was unanimous to continue to make the Mariahilfplatz available for sports and games – but without providing permanent structures such as goals there.
In addition, the district committee is suggesting a citizens’ workshop on the possible redesign of the area, at which controversial debates are to be expected. After all, there are also voices in the BA that call for more green and less asphalt on the pitch, which could possibly get in the way of the Dulten. “I see bad things coming our way,” warned Andreas Micksch (CSU). “I see the BA putting the ax to the Dulten.” Nikolaus Haeusgen (CSU) disagreed. “The Auer Dult, like everything else in the world, is subject to change,” he said. “Of course, the citizens can say that they want more trees and more greenery there – and a little fewer stands.”