Söder wants high-rises: Munich needs new heights for the future!

Söder wants high-rises: Munich needs new heights for the future!

The discussion about the construction of high-rise buildings in Munich is in full swing. Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) recently spoke out clearly in favor of building skyscrapers and sees Munich as a metropolis of the future. “We need high-rises, but not everywhere and not at any price,” he emphasizes, showing himself to be the “biggest Munich fan outside of Munich.”

The background to this statement is the legal situation in Munich, which is shaped by a referendum in 2004. At that time, over 50 percent of those eligible to vote were in favor of a height limit of 99 meters. However, this decision no longer has the legal binding effect it once had and could therefore be reconsidered. According to the Evening newspaper However, the city is still adhering to this requirement, while Söder points out that high-rise buildings in suitable locations are necessary.

Current developments in urban planning

As part of the revision of the high-rise study for Munich, which has not been updated since 1995, new standards are now being set. This new study not only identifies five different building types, but also defines quality criteria ranging from urban planning to ecological aspects. The opinion of the population, which was shown in a survey from 2019, is taken seriously. 42 percent of Munich residents were against the construction of buildings over 100 meters high outside the Middle Ring, which further fuels the debate.

The city council will continue to be responsible for decisions on new high-rise projects in the future. An important goal remains the balance between Munich's traditional cityscape and modern architectural requirements. A statement from the city emphasizes that morals and design must go hand in hand when it comes to the construction of such buildings - "High-rise buildings, yes - but not at any price," it says City of Munich.

Public opinions and resistance

Despite the positive voices from politics, there is also resistance. A citizens' initiative called Hochhausstopp München was launched in 2021 to protest against high-rise construction. This initiative shows that citizens' fears and concerns must be taken seriously. In 2022, a citizens' initiative was launched against two planned high-rise buildings in the north of Munich, which were supposed to be over 150 meters high.

The revised high-rise study has now created a clear framework for action for investors and planners. This approach makes it clear that the focus must be on high design, ecological and social quality. In Munich there are currently around 1,400 high-rise buildings spread across the city, 19 of which are over 80 meters high.

The top five tallest buildings in Munich are:

The pressure on the city administration to advance the high-rise debate remains. While politicians like Söder are campaigning for change, the voices of citizens cannot be ignored. Houses tall, yes, but with care and a sense of proportion – that could be the motto of the future in Munich.