Mundpassage

Mundpassage is a fictional architectural concept and urban space used in world-building and speculative fiction to describe a long, covered pedestrian thoroughfare that functions as the gateway, or mouth, of a city. The term combines Mund and Passage from German, chosen to evoke a central conduit that channels people, trade, and information from one district to another.

In depictions, the Mundpassage runs from major transport hubs through commercial and cultural quarters to waterfront or parkland, acting as a social stage as well as a circulation route. Design-wise, Mundpassages are portrayed as enclosed or semi-enclosed corridors with vaulted or glass roofs, durable finishes, storefronts, seating, and occasional performance spaces. Climate control, lighting, and wayfinding are emphasized to accommodate large crowds.

In narrative use, Mundpassages function as crossroads where travelers meet locals, merchants, and conspirators, making them focal points for scenes and plot development. They are also described in urban-planning contexts as strategic arteries influencing movement, commerce, and urban identity, often raising questions about maintenance, safety, and inclusivity.

Variations exist: some versions place the Mundpassage at street level as a grand arcade; others portray multi-level networks with connections to transit, housing, and civic spaces.

See also: arcade, covered passage, pedestrian street, urban design. This article describes a fictional concept used in speculative fiction and world-building.