Federal Council simplifies construction procedures
Switzerland urgently needs housing and progress in the energy transition. To ensure that approval procedures are no longer slowed down by restrictive regulations for the protection of the townscape, new federal measures are providing more planning freedom and relief for the cantons and municipalities.
To date, many construction projects and urban developments have been delayed due to the rigid direct application of the Federal Inventory of Sites worthy of Protection (ISOS). In Zurich in particular, thousands of apartments are blocked, as the example of Brunaupark shows. The Federal Council wants to simplify and speed up the processing and approval of residential projects with a new regulation. In future, the ISOS requirements will only apply directly in cases where the townscape is actually affected. This will significantly reduce the number of complex procedures and numerous projects can be realized more quickly.
In future, cantons and municipalities will be given more leeway and clear boundaries as to when direct application of ISOS is really necessary. The conservation objectives of the inventory will be formulated more openly, which will enable inward settlement development while still protecting building culture.
Solar installations are easier to approve
The new measures also make it easier to install solar installations on new buildings. In future, an ISOS review will only be required for existing buildings. The federal government is thus taking account of the requirements of the energy transition and strengthening planning and legal certainty for future-oriented construction projects.
Consensus at the round table
The reform was developed at a broad-based round table with representatives from the federal government, cantons, cities, municipalities, business and civil society. The regulatory adjustments are to be made by fall 2026. At the same time, the processes for applying the ISOS inventory will be improved so that conflicts can be identified and resolved at an early stage.
Prominent critics and supporters from politics and heritage protection welcome the new regulations. It is a sensible compromise between protection and development. Direct application remains possible for important monuments, but will no longer prevent important innovation projects in future.
New momentum for residential construction
The new rules give cantons and municipalities the necessary flexibility to combine resource protection and building culture. Residential construction projects such as Brunaupark could be approved and realized much more quickly in future. The Federal Office of Culture, Department of the Environment and Department of Economic Affairs have been tasked with implementing the new principles in order to address the increased demand for housing and the challenges of the energy transition in a holistic manner.