These plans leave room and air for imagination and for the dream of a green park in the middle of the city. On Tuesday, the Bund Naturschutz presented its vision of a five and a half hectare park landscape in the heart of Munich to the city council factions. My colleague Andres Schubert looked at it (SZ Plus).
It’s about the Sonnenstrasse: the multi-lane aisle roars through the middle of the city, it’s one of the busiest streets in Europe – how calming and promising the project name Munich Central Park sounds in contrast. The Munich City Council now has it in its hands to take a really big step forward in the traffic turnaround and to turn this part of the old town ring into an oasis. A green lung would be created from Sendlinger-Tor-Platz to Stachus, from Nußbaumpark to the Old Botanical Garden, with trees, flower beds, park benches, a rattling tram, cycle paths and a lane for residents and delivery traffic.
When space is to be taken from drivers in this and other cities, the noise is always loud, of course. It is therefore important to include the worries and objections of the tradespeople in straight-forward, undeterred planning. It won’t be that difficult – because there are enough strong arguments.
Green space in the big city is scarce and is becoming more and more valuable. The pandemic has changed people’s attitudes towards mobility in general and cars in particular. Motor vehicles are no longer accepted as bulky furniture on the streets. Parking bays are becoming a new living and dining space. Own cars are questioned and in case of doubt rather abolished. Appropriately, the fuel price madness, which shows how dependent the Germans are on cars. And then the city’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035.
Incidentally, it is also enlightening to look back: up until the 1930s, Sonnenstrasse was a green boulevard. This was carefully planned, based on the concept of Christoph Faust’s solar construction theory. All the buildings were oriented towards the sun, which is how the street got its beautiful name. A shining example of good urban planning. The decision for a Munich Central Park would have just as much appeal.
THE DAY IN MUNICH
Munich should decide on the 100-meter upper limit The CSU dares to push higher buildings like the planned new buildings at the parcel post hall. Resistance threatens from within their own ranks.
Raids at dawn Because the verbal attacks on politicians are increasing significantly, the Attorney General’s Office wants to send a signal against hate crime with a concerted search operation. The police also paid a visit to three Munich residents.
Injured adults, weakened babies The Munich Clinic usually treats refugees from Ukraine in the emergency rooms – if necessary, even without a treatment certificate. But there is a lack of interpreters.
“My abuser also loved me and told me about God’s love for me” What Does Abuse Do to Faith? Those affected talk about the crimes committed by priests and tell Archbishop Marx what they need: No sympathy, but space to settle conflicts.
This is how Munich’s junk bikes are buried Slashed saddles, flat tires, rusty chains: wrecked bicycles block the already rare parking spaces. Who removes them and what happens if an owner still gets in touch.
“Down into the Historical Abyss and Up into Creative Revival” The plan for the renovation of the former Nazi forced labor camp in Neuaubing, which is compatible with monuments and nature conservation, is in place. The artists and craftsmen based on the site are pleasantly surprised.
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