Curious how an old airport transformed into a modern city district? Welcome to Messestadt Riem. It is a district in eastern Munich. This area once buzzed with the roar of aircraft. Today, it is filled with homes, businesses and green spaces.
Messestadt Riem’s story began long before airplanes. Back in 788, it was first mentioned as “Riema”. The name meant “belt”. The village encircled St. Martin’s Church like a belt. For centuries, Riem was a small village. In 1936, everything changed. Riem was chosen as the site for Munich’s new airport.
The airport opened in 1939. However, World War II soon disrupted operations. Riem suffered heavy damage from bombing raids. After the war, the airport was rebuilt. It became Munich’s international gateway. For decades, it welcomed millions of passengers.
By the 1990s, the airport had become too small. In 1992, the airport moved to a new location. The city saw an opportunity to create something new in Riem. The vision was a modern urban district. This district would combine living, working, and recreation.
Construction began in the mid-1990s. The old airport buildings were torn down. In their place, arose new homes and offices. In 1998, the New Munich Trade Fair Center opened. Companies flocked to the area. Messestadt Riem began to thrive.
One of the centerpieces of Messestadt Riem is the Riemer Park. This large park was created for the 2005 Bundesgartenschau. The park features a lake called Buga See. It is now a popular recreation area. People come here to swim, relax, and enjoy nature.
Messestadt Riem is also home to the Riem Arcaden shopping mall. Here, you can find a variety of shops, restaurants, and services. The district also boasts an ecumenical church center. It has both Protestant and Catholic churches.
Messestadt Riem has excellent transportation links. The U2 subway line connects it to the rest of Munich. Several bus lines also serve the area. The A94 motorway passes nearby. Discussions are underway for a railway connection.
Today, Messestadt Riem is a vibrant community. Around 16,000 people from 111 nations live here. The district has many family-friendly amenities. These include kindergartens and schools. It is a model for modern urban development. Messestadt Riem shows how a city can transform an old airport into a thriving new district.