MCube aqt pilot projects in Munich: Quality of stay instead of cars

How can space in the city be used differently? Munich is conducting a practical test. The city is using two pilot projects to show how the quality of life in the city would improve if there were fewer cars – namely with more greenery and usable open spaces right on the doorstep. Find out where the redesigned street spaces are located and what’s new here.

The state capital of Munich is pursuing the “Mobility Strategy 2035” and the “Urban Development Plan 2040”. The “Munich Cluster for the Future of Mobility in Metropolitan Regions” (MCube) operates in this context. MCube is currently reshaping the city’s urban mobility. The aim is to meet growing challenges such as the climate emergency and social justice. One of MCube’s flagship projects is “car-reduced neighborhoods for a livable city” (MCube aqt). A spatial and traffic concept is currently being developed for the city. The aim is to reduce car ownership and use for the benefit of the climate and the quality of life in the city. The pilot projects presented here are being developed by “McCube aqt” together with the city, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Stadtwerke München (SWM), the Hans Sauer Foundation and UnternehmerTUM.

What is the alternative to a parking lot? According to the Munich Mobility Department, “space for neighborly encounters, games and fun”. In the case of the pilot projects, the changes are as follows: Instead of metal, greenery suddenly dominates – in the form of “urban gardening” offers or trees. Street sections are calmed down. At the same time, seating and play areas allow people to meet and linger for free in public spaces. Instead of asphalt, there is suddenly grass, instead of SUVs there is a sandy surface. Permanent mobility points are also being set up. As so-called shared mobility offers, they provide space for e-scooters, rental bikes and car-sharing cars. This will further consolidate the mobility network and strengthen the alternative to private transport.

Schlotthauer Platz” is being created at the intersection of Schlotthauerstrasse, Sommerstrasse, Kolumbusstrasse and Asamstrasse: Here you will now find planters, trees and seating. The corner of Schlotthauerstrasse and Entenbachstrasse is also getting a new neighborhood meeting place in the form of “Entenbachplatz”. Kolumbusstraße will be partly traffic-calmed and partly completely closed to cars. Instead, there are now green and sand play areas. A section of Landlstrasse will also be closed. As a result, pedestrians and cyclists have more space. And there are trees, planters and seating areas for local recreation.

What opportunities does the pilot project offer Munich residents? Various participation and information formats will take place during the project. “MCube aqt” is working closely with various stakeholders: From research partners and municipal administration to industry, NGOs and civil society. Transformation pathways are to be developed by summer 2024. Citizens can also take on sponsorships for raised beds and trees. They can also contribute their own ideas for the use of the traffic-calmed areas. Anyone interested can get in touch at mcube.aqt@muenchen.de. Consultation hours are also offered every two weeks in the project areas. And soon there will also be workshops on the topic of “The future of mobility”.

The traffic calming measures will last from May/June until the end of October 2023. Despite the calming or closure, all roads will of course remain accessible for the fire department, emergency and care services and refuse collection.

Another pilot project is currently taking place in Leipzig. The city’s first superblock is being built here with the aim of reducing traffic and improving quality of life. How will it succeed? Find out here.