The re-naturalization of the Isar river in Munich (I)
The Bavarian river Isar originally got its name from its proverbially raging currents.
But it had been drastically tamed at the beginning of the 20th century by means of a newly
constructed cement riverbed. At the same all those heavily polluted city creeks were
banned under thick layers of cement as well.
But, due to an emerging "green" policy the Munich city public authorities
recently decided to reverse the water hide-and-seek. As a consequence some of the creeks
were brought back to daylight and the river Isar was re-engineered
to a state that was considered as "more natural": it was decorated with
gravel islands and its formerly linear shores were softened into a romantically meandering,
variable scenery strongly reminding of Germany's 19th century romanticism.
As always in politics there were some pros and some cons to discuss. Some people were
interested in an increasing beverage consumption alongside the river, others were
afraid of additional noise, and of course the costs of the embellishment were subject to controversial
discussion. We are far from being able to present a politically correct, final judgement here.
Instead we would like to introduce a fictitious character here,
commenting the changes from the perspective of a Munich tardigrade:
"Just call me, Max from the Maximilian Bridge. Please find enclosed my portrait,
so that you will be better able to figure out my benevolent character. The gossips colunms use this
presentation tool, so why not do the same in my, much more serious case?
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