On the day that Munich’s pedestrian zone was opened 50 years ago, the evening newspaper asked passers-by: “Has Munich become more beautiful?” They don’t take long to ask. “Previously, we had to be careful on the cars and trams, now on the suffering. It’s almost dangerous today, with the to and fro, with the to and fro of pedestrians,” said postal worker Josefine Hörl at the time. “However, I really like the facade and the flowers.” And the pensioner Ernst Reitberger put it on record: “Finally I can breathe a sigh of relief in the center. You won’t believe what it used to be for a horn, squeaking and tinkling.”
For many Munich residents, June 30, 1972 was a day of incredulous amazement and a reason to celebrate. Thousands came to Marienplatz. The cool free beer, which was served free of charge, was just what they needed in the hot crowd. Together with pretzels and brass band music, it almost created a Oktoberfest atmosphere.
It’s hard to imagine what would have to happen today for the people of Munich to fall into a similar frenzy over the redesign of their inner city. A lot is changing at the moment. If you walk along Schützenstrasse, Neuhauser Strasse and Kaufingerstrasse, you will come across a number of major construction sites, closed shops and newly opened shops with “Naimodische Glump”, as it would have been called in the 1970s. This pedestrian zone, which was unparalleled in Germany at the time of the Olympic Games in Munich and which was praised by the Mayor at the time, Hans-Jochen Vogel, as a victory against “overpowering” (!) and the “excesses of the economic principle”, is now part of the years come.
Yes, it is still the most expensive shopping area in Germany and is particularly popular with international chain stores that can afford the horrendous rents – so much for the economic principle. But diversity has suffered, and Munich’s top dogs such as Hirmer, Ludwig Beck and Bettenrid still provide local identity. And the gray paved slab has never really invited you to linger: there is a lack of greenery, attractive cafés, playgrounds and much more that city planners and town hall politicians want today. There is no shortage of ideas. But the courage to give the Munich pedestrian zone a new face 50 years after its official opening. Where have they gone, the spirit of optimism and the enthusiasm for the future that characterized the years of the economic boom (SZ Plus)?
THE DAY IN MUNICH
Exclusive: Second S-Bahn main route could be 1.2 billion euros more expensive The construction should also be delayed by at least five years. Federal Transport Minister Wissing is expected to attend the crisis talks this Thursday. The breakdowns would have a massive impact on the city.
What effect does the nine-euro ticket have in Munich? The cheap local transport ticket has been available for a good month: what the interim conclusion of the transport company looks like – and how the ticket affects car traffic.
New tunnel under the Hasenbergl The city is planning a tube that will connect Schleissheimer Strasse to the A99. That annoys the Greens – but they tolerate that their coalition partner SPD procures the majority with the CSU.
Hotel guest rioted and injured police officers A police officer was injured during an operation in a hotel on Bayerstrasse. An intoxicated man is said to have given the officer a targeted headbutt.
Deutsches Museum opens new area After the renovation work, the first remodeled part with 19 new exhibitions will be on display from July 8th. What visitors can expect there in the future.
Munich irritates the IAA The city council decides to reduce the exhibition space in response to massive public criticism. For the organizers, this is “difficult to understand”. They leave it open whether the trade fair will remain in Munich.
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