Balancing the need for cars with spaces for people
The industrial revolution introduced cars into cities and reshaped streets to prioritize motor vehicles over people. In recent decades, urban planners have attempted to reverse this trend by designing pedestrian-only streets, creating car-free zones, and reclaiming spaces for public use. But a critical question remains: how do we balance the presence of cars with spaces that are equally inviting and accessible for people? Gehl worked closely with USP Project and 1Komma2 to deliver a public space and mobility plan that integrates modern mobility needs with urban design to support more greenery and a thriving public life.
A key component was the co-design of a new circulation plan that optimized flow for all modes of traffic in and around the inner city. After extensive community engagement processes, the final plan set the framework for improvements to the cycling and walking network and public space design details. The vision also aimed to reduce on-street car parking by one-third and prioritize safety with the introduction of 20-30 km/hour zones and ‘school streets’ — all new concepts for Munich. In parallel, the team at Gehl conducted an in-depth analysis of private and public car parking, combined with a network analysis of cycling, walking, and public spaces. The study revealed how the area is currently being used and identified opportunities to remove or relocate car parking to enable other ways to use the space.
In the coming years, the City of Munich plans to replace selected car parking space with greenery, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure — a strategic move to substantially improve the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors of Munich’s Old Town.
