

Rethinking building, Freiburg is looking for pioneers
The construction industry is facing a system change and the canton of Fribourg wants to actively shape it. With CHF 290,000 from the new regional policy, the economic development agency WIF is calling on companies to develop circular solutions for the construction of tomorrow. Those who act by

Whoever blocks, pays
An objection about the color of the neighboring house. An appeal that puts a housing project on hold for five years. What is legally possible in Switzerland is set to become much more difficult in future. On April 22, 2026, the Federal Council adopted a postulate report aimed at freeing residential

Zurich reinvents itself
What began five years ago as a platform for networking is now a vibrant ecosystem that brings together inventiveness with capital and minds with opportunities. At the anniversary celebration of "Innovation Zurich" on April 14, it became clear what is possible when 250 people spend an evening

Digital platform simplifies analysis and development of building constructions
Researchers at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) have developed a digital tool for sustainable construction. On the dkon platform, users can check the impact of individual construction decisions on the environment, costs and construction

New head of department to drive strategic development in the economy and labour market
Daniel Müller is set to take up the post of Head of the Office for Economic Affairs and Labour of the Canton of St. Gallen on 1 May. The current head of the cantonal business development agency will succeed Karin Jung, whose duties he has been performing on an interim basis. Jung announced her

The material that thinks – without a brain
Steel bends, rubber stretches, materials always react to forces in the same way. Until now. Researchers at the University of Amsterdam have developed a metamaterial that learns, forgets and adapts flexibly, without a central brain or program code. The study was published in "Nature Physics" and

Check early, fail low
Developing new products safely and sustainably before damage occurs. This is the aim of the EU's "Safe and Sustainable by Design" concept. Many companies fear that this will mean additional work. However, a new analysis by Empa shows that the concept is already in line with around two thirds of the

Zurich tests AI in the building permit process
Check building applications, check completeness, relieve authorities. What has long sounded like a dream of the future is now becoming a reality in the canton of Zurich. Based on a postulate from cantonal councillor Sonja Rueff-Frenkel, the cantonal government has commissioned two studies and has

How Switzerland is training the PropTech specialists of tomorrow
The digital transformation of the property industry is not possible without qualified specialists. PropTech innovation arises where property knowledge, an understanding of technology and entrepreneurial thinking come together. Switzerland has a broad and practice-orientated educational offering


Location marketing attracts 264 companies to Switzerland
In 2025, cantonal, regional and national location marketing organisations attracted a total of 264 companies to Switzerland. That is 33 more than in the previous year. They have already created 919 new jobs, and the total is expected to reach over 2,687 jobs within three

The Zurich economic region is attracting an increasing number of international companies
The Greater Zurich Area (GZA) location marketing initiative and the associated cantons attracted a total of 98 foreign companies in 2025. Twenty-four of these intend to establish their headquarters in Switzerland, whilst 29 are conducting research and development here. This is highlighted in the

New open space concept enhances quality of life and biodiversity
The local council has adopted the Spreitenbach Open Space Concept as a binding framework for future development. Through this concept, it aims to strengthen the identity of the neighbourhoods, promote biodiversity and make the urban environment

The wood that protects itself
Today, sawdust usually ends up in the oven. Tomorrow it could protect houses from fire. Researchers at ETH Zurich and Empa have developed a composite material that combines wood waste with the mineral struvite and achieves the fire protection class of conventional cement boards. The material

The construction site also wants flexibility
Part-time work alone won’t solve the problem. At the event “We’re Counting on You!” held on March 26, 2026, at CAMPUS SURSEE, it became clear that the construction and infrastructure sector is facing a cultural shift. Anyone who wants to succeed in the competition for skilled workers must

When cantons go from being a drag to a location factor
Building permits determine how quickly residential, commercial and energy projects become reality. In Switzerland, analog routines and digital ambitions collide. Those who invest in functioning e-processes today gain speed, transparency and political

Zurich remains the world’s number one smart city
Zurich tops the IMD Smart City Index for the seventh year running. Out of the 148 cities surveyed, Geneva ranks third. Lausanne – which was ranked 10th last year – has climbed back up to seventh place. The index measures how smart citizens consider their city to

New construction project bolsters the research hub in the Bernese Oberland
Funding has been secured for the new building of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) in Thun Nord. The city is providing an interest-free loan of 16 million Swiss francs and acting as guarantor for a federal loan of 10 million. Empa is investing 16 million,

New foundation to bring SMEs forward
Lucerne is just in the top third of the cantons in terms of competitiveness. But far behind in terms of innovative strength. This is set to change. The cantonal government is applying to the cantonal council for a special loan of CHF 24 million for a new foundation to provide SMEs with targeted

80 centimeters slow down 63 million project
In September 2025, almost 60 percent of school citizens voted in favor of the new Lärche school center in Arbon. Now a single objector is threatening to torpedo the timetable. The attic storey is 80 centimetres too high. The dispute over centimeters could cost

Network Switzerland elects new members to the board
Christina Doll and Andreas Zettel have been newly elected to the board of Netzwerk Standort Schweiz. The business development officer for the town of Schlieren and the deputy director of Lucerne Economic Development are taking over from Jasmina Ritz and Albert

The Learning Factory is forging new links between industry, research and education
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) plans to establish a learning factory in the Zug Tech Cluster. If Parliament and the public give their approval, operations are set to begin in 2029. The canton and city of Zug intend to contribute 82.5 million Swiss

47 million for a new heart in the Bernese Oberland
A former military site, 60 hectares, characterized for decades by uniforms and armaments factories. Now cutting-edge research is to move in. The city of Thun is getting serious and is advancing CHF 16 million to ensure that the new Empa building does not fail due to lack of funding. What sounds

The city is exploring new approaches to reducing waste and resource consumption
The Government Council of Basel-Stadt is considering launching a pilot project with Pretty Good to facilitate the drop-off of used items at recycling points. In doing so, it is following the example set by Bern and Zug. It intends to involve the local second-hand and repair sector in the


City wants to acquire industrial building for archive and temporary uses
The city of Biel wants to acquire the industrial property at Mattenstrasse 133. The factory building is to be used for the city archives from 2033 onwards. Until then, it is planned to be used temporarily as a gymnasium and city library. The municipal council is now requesting 3.89 million Swiss


