"Munich currently exhibits an excess of grey, heat, and concreteness."
In the heart of Bavaria, the city of Munich is gearing up for the Summer Olympics, scheduled to take place between 2036 and 2048. However, opposition to the games is growing, with several groups voicing their concerns about the potential impact on the city.
The ÖDP, Die Linke, Bund Naturschutz, Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD), and Mera25 are among the opponents who have printed new posters, presenting arguments against the Olympics. One poster reads, "Sports for all instead of sports for the IOC," reflecting the sentiment that the games may prioritise the International Olympic Committee over the city's residents.
One of the main concerns is the impact on the city's environment. The setup and layout of tribunes and riding paths in Nymphenburg Park, a protected area, could potentially damage the soil and biodiversity, even if removed after the games. Florian Kaiser from Bund Naturschutz argues that Munich is already too concreted, and the Olympics would make it worse, with additional construction sites for parking spaces, media centers, and security zones.
Cost is another significant issue. Ludwig Hartmann of the Greens argues that the city should invest in new district sports facilities and school sports halls instead of building temporary stadiums for the Olympics. Initially, the cost for these temporary stadiums was estimated at 930 million, but Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) has revised this estimate to around 300 million for three temporary halls. Hartmann, however, believes the city council's estimate is still too high for structures that will only be used for two weeks of the Olympics.
Stefan Jagel, leader of Linken, primarily opposes the Games due to concerns that Munich, already expensive, will become even less affordable for people. He cites increased rents in London and Paris as examples. Ramona Roesch from the "Mera25" party shares this concern, arguing that bike lanes, promised to be expanded for the Olympics, are needed now and not in 2040.
Tobias Ruff, leader of the ÖDP, argues against the Olympics due to the sealing off of areas, such as the planned Olympic Village in Daglfing, which was once meadows and fields. Geert Schindewolf from VCD mentions that there are already construction sites in Munich years before the Summer Olympics, which is a cause for concern for many.
The coordination of the expansion work on public transportation for the Olympic Games in Munich is managed by the public authorities responsible for infrastructure planning and transport, typically involving the local transit authority and state ministries. However, no specific organisation name was mentioned in the search results.
Studies show that Olympic Games can increase property and rental prices, as seen in Sydney and London, but there's no automatic correlation. Prices have dropped in Los Angeles and Atlanta. The U9, a massive public transportation project, is promised to be completed by 2040, but Geert Schindewolf from VCD finds this unrealistic.
Amidst this debate, the Munich child, adorned with three large medals, has been present on Munich's streets for several weeks. The child's message is an appeal against voting for a Munich Olympic bid, made by the ÖDP.
As the city moves forward with its Olympic preparations, these concerns remain at the forefront of public discourse, reflecting a divided opinion on whether the benefits of hosting the games outweigh the potential costs.
