Redesign of the Apostelgarten: A New Living Space for Münster’s City Center

A New Living Space for Münster’s City Center

The Apostelgarten, an area previously little known between Bergstraße, Bogenstraße, and the Apostelkirche in Münster’s Old Town, is at the center of a comprehensive urban redevelopment. The car park, which has mainly been used for resident parking permits, is to be transformed into a multifunctional place for staying and relaxing. The goal is to make the space accessible, barrier-free, and climate-appropriate for all generations and population groups.

Participation as a Key to Planning

The planning process for the Apostelgarten has been strongly participatory from the outset. In 2024, a process was launched in close cooperation with the Evangelical Apostelkirchengemeinde, Kiepenkerl e.V., local residents, experts, politicians, and civil society. In May 2025, the so-called “Apostelgarten Dialogue” took place – a five-day participation campaign with a participation market, expert discussions, and an online portal.

The results of this dialogue were incorporated into a draft, which was published in November 2025. Citizens contributed suggestions for inclusive use, sustainable planting, safety measures, and alternatives to resident parking. Not all suggestions could be implemented, but they significantly contributed to shaping the new concept.

Conceptual Focus of the Redesign

The overarching goal of the redesign is to transform the Apostelgarten into a green, multifunctional, and inclusive living space. The draft proposes a division into different usage areas that complement each other harmoniously. These include:

• Catering areas, which will be visually and functionally integrated into the Apostelgarten.
• Polygonal planting islands, which are ecologically valuable, climate-appropriate, and shape the space.
• An Apostelkirchplatz, serving as a central open space and equipped with a modern water feature and water-bound paving.
• A barrier-free access with seating edges, wooden platforms, and ergonomic backrests.
• A historical strip made of natural stone blocks, providing information about local history and also serving as seating.

In addition, the church garden will be redesigned to strengthen the connection to the Apostelgarten and highlight the west portal area of the Apostelkirche. The lighting will be designed to be insect-friendly, energy-efficient, and anxiety-reducing. Waste bins, drinking water fountains, and bicycle parking spaces will complement the offering.

Funding and Next Steps

The redesign of the Apostelgarten is part of the INSEK Münster-Innenstadt (Integrated Urban Development Concept), which was adopted in 2023. The goal of the INSEK is the long-term, future-oriented development of the city center. The Apostelgarten is defined as a key area in this context.

Funding is provided by federal and North Rhine-Westphalia urban development funds. An urban development application was submitted in September 2024 and approved in the summer of 2025. By summer 2027, the planning for the Apostelgarten and other city center squares must be completed up to the 6th performance phase of the HOAI.

In February 2026, the Commission for the Promotion of Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Münster will be convened for a meeting that will also address the Apostelgarten. In addition, the Münster City Council will be informed about the further planning steps in the coming weeks.

Outlook: A New City Center Space for Everyone

The Apostelgarten will not only be an urban architectural highlight but also a central social and cultural meeting place in the Old Town. With its redesign, Münster will send another signal for sustainable, inclusive, and participatory urban development. The focus on climate justice, barrier-free access, and green space development makes the Apostelgarten a model for similar projects in other cities.