There is a bitter debate about redesigning the dreary area in front of the opera. Now there is a plan on the table that would not only green the square – the idea would also be quicker and cheaper to implement, says its creator.
Max-Joseph-Platz can celebrate a small anniversary these days: in August 1998, 25 years ago, craftsmen were last busy there with major construction work. Since the roof of the underground car park was sealed and the memorial roundabout was repaved, nothing has happened on the classicist square between the Residenz, Opera, Opernpalais and the row of Renaissance town houses. A redesign has been discussed, even bitterly argued, for years. Now the former city home warden Gert Goergens is bringing momentum to the deadlocked debate with a compromise proposal. His design is intended to preserve the strict design of the square and at the same time enable greening and traffic calming.