München-Riem

München-Riem
Name	München-Riem
Native name	Riem
Settlement type	Borough of Munich
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Germany
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Bavaria
Subdivision type2	City
Subdivision name2	Munich
Area total km2	11.4
Population total	20833
Population as of	2019-12-31
Postal code	81927, 81929

München-Riem München-Riem is a borough in the eastern part of Munich, located within the Bavaria region of Germany. Originally centered on the historic village of Riem, the area experienced major change after the closure of a long‑standing aviation facility and subsequent redevelopment into a mixed urban district. The borough combines contemporary residential projects, commercial developments, cultural venues, and large green spaces that connect it to surrounding districts such as Trudering-Riem and Berg am Laim.

History

The settlement traces roots to a medieval village mentioned alongside regional entities like the Prince-Bishopric of Freising and the Electorate of Bavaria. In the 20th century the site became synonymous with Munich-Riem Airport, an aviation hub linked to events including the 1923 ILA air show and the expansion of Deutsche Luft Hansa in the interwar period. Postwar air transport developments tied the airport to national carriers such as Lufthansa and to international routes bridging Frankfurt am Main and Berlin. After the opening of Munich Airport (Franz Josef Strauss) in the 1990s, municipal planners repurposed the decommissioned airport area through collaborations with institutions like the Free State of Bavaria and the City of Munich leading to the creation of the new district known as the Messestadt Riem project. Large cultural events relocated to new venues, while heritage conservation efforts referenced artifacts from the Weimar Republic and postwar reconstruction linked to local industry.

Geography and Urban Structure

Situated on the eastern plain of Munich, the borough lies near natural features associated with the Isar river basin and within the geological zone influenced by glacial deposits from the Würm glaciation. Riem borders administrative units such as Trudering, Messestadt Riem, and Berg am Laim, and sits along arterial connections toward Perlach and Opfing. Urban planners integrated a grid of residential blocks, commercial corridors, and public squares reflecting influences from modernist developments seen in Leipzig and Vienna. Mixed‑use neighborhoods combine apartment complexes by developers collaborating with bodies like the Bayerische Landesbank and cultural institutions mirroring programs run by the Kulturbüro München and the Deutsches Museum satellite initiatives. Floodplain management and landscape design reference studies from the Technical University of Munich and environmental assessments connected to the Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment.

Transport and Infrastructure

Transport links evolved from the former airport infrastructure to a multimodal network integrating Munich S-Bahn, tram lines, and regional bus services operated by MVG (Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft). The borough is served by S2 (Munich S-Bahn) and tram routes that create connections toward Marienplatz, Hauptbahnhof and the Messe München fairgrounds. Road access uses segments of the A94 autobahn corridor and federal routes connecting to A8 (Germany) toward Salzburg and Stuttgart. Cycling infrastructure and pedestrian zones were developed following standards promoted by the European Cyclists' Federation and the Bicycle Initiative Munich, while utility upgrades involved partnerships with Stadtwerke Munich and regional energy providers like E.ON.

Economy and Industry

The transition from aviation to a mixed urban economy attracted companies across sectors including trade fairs, logistics, research, and retail. The Messe München exhibition center anchors trade and conference activity alongside service providers and hospitality chains such as Motel One and international exhibition firms that hosted congresses tied to IFA and EXPO REAL. Office parks host subsidiaries of multinational firms and local SMEs interacting with research clusters at the Munich University of Applied Sciences and the Max Planck Society institutes in the metropolitan area. Retail centers, exemplified by shopping districts and outlets, combine with logistics hubs that benefit from proximity to the Munich Trade Fair and multimodal freight corridors tied to the Munich S-Bahn network and regional highways.

Parks and Recreation

Large open areas created on former airfield land include the expansive Riemer Park, designed with landscape architects influenced by international practices from the Royal Horticultural Society and Dutch urban planners. The park integrates wetlands, playgrounds, and sports facilities that host community events and festivals linked to cultural programs run by Kulturreferat Munich and regional orchestras like the Bavarian State Orchestra. Green corridors connect to nature reserves and cycling routes leading toward the Isarauen and recreational areas frequented by residents from Haar and Dorfen. Seasonal markets and cultural gatherings draw participants from institutions including the German Red Cross and the Munich Volunteer Fire Department.

Notable Buildings and Landmarks

Prominent sites include the redeveloped Messe center Messe München, contemporary residential complexes in Messestadt, and adaptive reuse projects that converted airport hangars into event spaces reminiscent of transformations elsewhere such as the Tempelhof Airport conversion in Berlin. Architectural highlights reference firms and competitions associated with the Bund Deutscher Architekten and display façades using materials specified in guidelines from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation. Cultural venues and community centers collaborate with entities like the Munich Philharmonic and local theater groups, while commercial architecture hosts showrooms and exhibition halls used for trade events drawing delegations from municipalities such as Nürnberg and Ingolstadt.

Category:Quarters of Munich