In a surprising announcement, Munich's Mayor Dieter Reiter has revised the city's approach to developing new residential neighborhoods, particularly in the northeastern and northern parts of the city. This shift comes just two weeks before the local elections and represents a break from a key political commitment of Reiter's party, the SPD, as he opts for a path that is more in line with the conservative CSU party. Reiter's decision to halt the previous planning process for the SEF (Siedlungs- und Erschließungsflächen) areas has raised questions about the future of thousands of planned apartments on the city's outskirts. He argues that a new model is needed to accelerate housing construction in response to ongoing housing shortages in Munich, which has long been a pressing issue for residents and the city administration alike. Critics of Reiter's sudden change in policy express concerns about the implications for urban development and the potential loss of community engagement in the planning process. As the city grapples with the challenge of providing adequate housing, the impact of this decision will be closely monitored, especially amid the competitive atmosphere of the upcoming elections.