Munich 2023 high-rise study: Discussion about tall buildings

The city of Munich has been discussing how best to deal with high-rise buildings since the 1970s. A new high-rise study now proposes up-to-date assessment principles that also take into account issues such as sustainability and climate. More about the Munich High-Rise Study 2023 here.

In Munich, there were already studies on the subject of high-rise buildings in the Munich urban area in 1977 and 1995. A current high-rise study has now been published as an update of the existing studies. It serves to clarify the position of the Bavarian capital in dealing with high-rise buildings and to create an up-to-date basis for assessing high-rise projects. The study was preceded by an extensive discussion and participation process. New topics such as sustainability and climate as well as the consideration of visual axes can now be found in the study.

Following a hearing of the district committees, the Munich City Council’s planning committee decided that the results of the study should be used in future planning procedures. The aim is to plan tall buildings in the city in such a way that they offer added value for society and their surroundings. The aim is to guarantee greater quality early on in the planning process.

As a technical basis for the planning process for high-rise buildings and high-profile buildings, the Munich High-Rise Building Study provides a guideline for planners and investors. It explains the planning process and requirements for construction projects. Although no building law can be derived from it, the study provides the city council with important information to supplement the urban land-use planning process. Its position is “High-rise buildings yes – but not at any price”.

In future, high-rise buildings in Munich will only be erected in suitable locations. High design, ecological and social requirements must be met to ensure that the building offers added value. In the tradition of the “Munich Line”, the high-rise study aims to find a balance between preserving the cityscape and contemporary construction. Goals such as climate neutrality, longevity and flexibility of use as well as the sponge city principle must be taken into account.

The Munich high-rise study consists of several components:

• Basic texts and maps explain the framework conditions for the construction of high-rise buildings.
• A spatial master plan helps to classify high-rise projects in the overall urban context.
• A catalog of quality criteria forms the yardstick for special requirements for high-rise planning and the added value they must bring.

The Munich-based studio Büro 03 Architekten created the design for the 2023 high-rise study. This was presented to the city council in 2020 and then discussed in an extensive information and participation process. There was also a series of public discussions on the topic entitled “High up?”. The focus was always on the sustainability of new construction projects. In addition, many citizens and experts expressed concerns about visual relationships in the city skyline – to this day, the O2 Tower in Munich-Moosach, at 146 meters the tallest building in the city, is a thorn in the side of many.

One important development in the Munich high-rise study is that the city council has spoken out against office high-rises. In addition, the specifications for all future buildings over 80 meters in height are very strict. For decades, Munich has been debating how high buildings can be in the city. The magic number is 100 meters, as the taller of the two towers of the Frauenkirche in Munich measures 99 meters. Although there are already buildings that tower over the cathedral, this should generally be avoided.

The Munich 2023 high-rise study does not prescribe exactly where buildings may be built, but instead identifies potentially suitable areas. It distinguishes between five different height specifications, with so-called city landmarks, which are visible from afar, measuring over 80 meters. They should be located where there are already other high-rise buildings and where visual axes are not disturbed. Affordable living space, public transport connections and sustainability in construction are important criteria for new high-rise buildings.

Overall, the study shows that the Bavarian capital is strict when it comes to high-rise construction. Buildings that are too high are not desired. Nevertheless, solutions to the housing shortage are needed. This is the responsibility of the city council.

The latest high-rise in Munich will be the Candid-Tor by MVRDV – it is to be 64 meters high.