Dieter Egli is taking over as chair of the Zurich Metropolitan Conference, with Claudio Bernold joining him. The leadership change comes at a time when the organization—which coordinates spatial planning, transportation, and location issues across cantonal and municipal boundaries—has also

How will mobility in the Limmat Valley develop by 2050? What implications will this have for urban development and transport services? And what factors will influence the population’s mobility behaviour in the

The Bern cantonal government wishes to revise the rules governing ownerless land and plots. Land that cannot be cultivated, such as rocks and glaciers, is to belong to the local authorities. In the case of ownerless sections of road, arable land or industrial sites, the local authorities are to be

A campus is not a showcase. It is a hub for knowledge, research, and interaction. That is precisely why the new historic preservation designation for the first construction phase of the EPFL in Lausanne is noteworthy. It not only protects the concrete, the grid layout, and the spaces, but also

The global economy is navigating turbulent waters. Trade conflicts, military escalations, and fragile supply chains are putting pressure on companies. Yet in the canton of Zurich, the economy remains remarkably stable. The reason lies deep within the region’s profile and is particularly evident

The federal government is taking direct action regarding apartment buildings. A proposal released on June 19, 2026, aims to require landlords and condominium owners to install the basic infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations when necessary. This is precisely what is sparking massive

Too expensive, took too long to build, not enough demand. Three years on, Line 20 between Zurich Altstetten and Killwangen has silenced the critics. For what looked like an expensive experiment at the time is now the backbone of transport in one of Switzerland’s fastest-growing

In Safenwil, every available classroom is becoming a scarce resource. Today, a home economics room serves as a classroom, and music lessons are spread across several school buildings. The new “Ufm Känzeli” building is intended to relieve pressure on the existing facilities and ensure that

In Frauenfeld, the dispute over the new municipal development plan is entering a critical phase. Business associations and a town centre association are rallying against the provisions on traffic, parking and procedures. They fear more restrictions, reduced accessibility and greater interference

Basel-Stadt is pulling the plug on the Building and Hospitality Inspectorate. Following criticism of lengthy procedures and the management, the head of the inspectorate is taking early retirement at the start of 2027. For building owners, the main concern now is whether the change in leadership

Over 60,000 certified buildings are synonymous with efficiency and comfort. Yet it is precisely during heatwaves that Minergie homes are coming under increasing pressure. The association is responding with stricter requirements for summer heat protection and is placing greater emphasis on cooling,

23 local authorities in the Baden region are refining their joint development strategy. A new Regional Development Strategy (RES) is due to be finalised by the end of 2026. For urban development, housing, transport and open spaces, this is more than just a piece of paper, as the association brings

Sometimes, just a few extra words in a piece of legislation are enough to overturn the status quo. That’s exactly what’s happening now at Swiss Post, where a minor revision to the Postal Act could have a major impact. The very idea of having your own mailbox on your front doorstep is suddenly

On 27 September 2026, Winterthur will vote on a proposal to allocate 35.13 million Swiss francs for new end-stand stands and an operations building at the Schützenwiese. The development is intended to modernise the outdated infrastructure by 2029, increase capacity and ensure that matches can

The National Council and the Council of States have secured the key federal instruments for social housing construction until the early 2030s. CHF 150 million has been approved for the Fonds de Roulement, along with guarantees totalling CHF 1.92 billion for EGW

Six smaller properties owned by the Reformed Church Parish of Zurich are to be leased under building rights. The parish is seeking organizations that will create additional housing on the sites at reasonable costs, while existing leases will continue for the time

Biel is now managing a portfolio of approximately 180 municipal buildings with an insured value of 1.3 billion Swiss francs using portfolio data. This move increases pressure to invest, as maintenance is 10 to 15 years behind schedule and several major renovations are planned well into the

In Lucerne, the new municipal right of first refusal for real estate is the subject of a legal dispute. Following the voters’ approval on June 14, 2026, an appeal has been filed with the cantonal court to determine whether the measure is permissible without a cantonal legal basis and whether the

A red-and-white flag, a view of the harbor, direct access to the water. For years, the “Swiss House” at Pier 17 in San Francisco served as Switzerland’s calling card in Silicon Valley. Now it’s over. The federal government had to vacate the site and is leaving behind nearly nine million

A planning tool that sets out more than 100 policy objectives. A referendum committee that speaks of a “political straitjacket.” On November 29, 2026, Winterthur will decide at the polls how much leeway the city’s development should retain over the next 15 years. The referendum against the

Higher tax bills, delayed decisions, political squabbles. With the largest revaluation of its real estate since 1998, the canton of Aargau has stirred up a hornet’s nest. An external expert report now offers a clear assessment of a controversial political initiative. The demand by the FDP and SVP

The canton of Lucerne plans to handle building permit applications entirely digitally and is investing approximately nine million francs over a period of ten years to do so. For building owners, planners, and municipalities, this will not only involve replacing the software but also overhauling the

For the time being, the Luganese region will come away empty-handed in the fifth-generation agglomeration programs. Bern cites an insufficient overall impact and a lack of concrete plans for urban development as the reasons for this. This sends a significant signal regarding location and site

Three municipalities in Nidwalden are at risk of missing the deadline for amending their zoning plans and regulations by January 1, 2027. The cantonal government therefore intends to extend the transition period until early 2030 so that building permit applications can continue to be processed on a

In the heart of Schlieren lies a site whose land belongs to the City of Zurich but is situated within Schlieren’s municipal boundaries. Covering over 324,000 square metres, it was originally acquired for the gasworks, developed in the 1980s and is now one of the most innovative sites in the

The Swiss rental housing market is at a standstill. More and more people are unable to find suitable housing, while others remain in apartments that no longer suit their life circumstances. The “Swiss Alliance for Housing” is therefore calling for a clear change of course—away from subsidies

The USPI Geneva has accompanied its 2025 annual report with a clear call to action for policymakers and the administration. The association highlights 320,000 properties under management, 650 million Swiss francs in construction investment, and increasing pressure on refurbishment, new-build

When a plot of land is sold, it is not always the buyer with whom negotiations have taken place who ultimately decides. In Switzerland, contractual and statutory rights of first refusal can divert the transfer of ownership. For owners, developers and co-owners, this means that even the drafting of

Following the withdrawal of an appeal, St. Moritz can now continue with the construction of the Du Lac residential block, comprising 31 flats for local residents. The case illustrates just how much administrative procedures in tourist destinations under pressure can delay even municipal housing

A cantonal school for around 880 pupils is to be built near Rotkreuz railway station by 2031. The winning design by Gigon Guyer links the 200-million-franc new building with the ongoing development of the town centre and increases the planning pressure on the surrounding