
Zurich focusses on the future
The latest issue of Zürcher Umweltpraxis und Raumentwicklung clearly shows that the commitment to climate and environmental protection is bearing fruit. The Canton of Zurich takes its responsibility for the climate and environment seriously. With ambitious goals, concrete measures and a clear view

Building the future means taking responsibility
Andreas Binkert is rethinking urban development - for him, property development is social responsibility. In this interview, the President of the 2000-Watt Smart Cities Association explains his vision of sustainable neighbourhoods, talks about Greencity, global challenges and the potential of

Think circularly, build together
How can construction be designed in such a way that materials are not consumed but reused? This question is at the centre of the Circular Time Lab at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Architecture students and apprentices from regional timber construction companies are using reusable

Fribourg.swiss brand strengthens international position
With the introduction of the fribourg.swiss brand, the Economic Development Agency of the Canton of Fribourg (WIF) is launching a modern, targeted communication platform to strengthen economic visibility on a national and international level. The new identity replaces "Fribourg Network Fribourg"

Alpine solar plant for Central Switzerland being built in Spiringen
Aventron AG and energieUri AG have started construction of the first alpine solar plant in Central Switzerland. The photovoltaic plant in Spiringen will produce around 12.5 gigawatt hours of solar power per year from 2029. This year, 10 per cent of the plant is to be put into

Zug city parliament supports Metalli development plan
Following the Zug City Council, the city's Grand Municipal Council has now also approved the Metalli development plan at first reading. It will now go out for public consultation. Zug Estates wants to develop the existing shopping avenue into a lively

Aargau shapes the future with a development model
With the 2025-2034 development model, the cantonal government of Aargau is setting clear priorities for sustainable location development. Three strategic priorities are intended to ensure quality of life, strengthen the business and research location and promote efficient community structures. The

Climate fund Stadtwerk Winterthur awards grants
The Stadtwerk Winterthur climate fund has awarded CHF 70,000 in funding for regional climate protection, energy efficiency and CO2 reduction projects. This year's beneficiaries are Next Gas GmbH from Kloten ZH, the Soily association from Winterthur and the start-up SimpleTrain from Wallisellen

Erlenpark Näfels creates new living space
The Erlenpark project in Näfels is a traffic-free development with 98 flats. It meets modern requirements and focuses on a high quality of life and well thought-out architecture. The project is a milestone in the implementation of the new land use planning NUP II and strengthens the Glarus Nord

Experts call for construction process reform
Objections and appeals are among the most serious obstacles to residential construction in Switzerland. A new study shows that they not only cause construction delays, but also higher housing prices. Experts are calling for clear legal intervention for greater efficiency, legal certainty and

A fund to strengthen vocational training
The Canton of Zurich's Vocational Training Fund has established itself as a mainstay of the dual education system. With over CHF 23 million, it supports training companies, promotes practical innovations and contributes to securing skilled labour. The 2024 annual report impressively demonstrates

Basel-Stadt tests CO2-neutral concrete in pedestrian zones
The canton of Basel-Stadt is currently trialling new furniture for Basel's meeting zones. CO2-neutral and cement-reduced concrete is being tested for the production of benches and plant troughs. The aim is to make the meeting zones as climate-friendly as


HORTUS sets a new benchmark for sustainable construction
HORTUS, a new type of office building that focuses on radical sustainability, from construction to operation, has opened in Allschwil. The project is part of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area and combines CO₂ reduction, circular economy and user comfort. The space is already almost fully

Switzerland is the most competitive country in the world in 2025
Switzerland climbs to first place in the IMD's World Competitiveness Ranking 2025. An impressive signal of stability, efficiency and future viability in an increasingly fragmented global market. While protectionist tendencies are on the rise and geopolitical tensions are making international

The Glarus South residential park sets new standards
With the Glarus Süd residential park, a cross-generational, energy self-sufficient neighbourhood with 51 flats is being built on a former industrial site in Linthal. The project combines sustainability, innovation and regional development and is looking for an investor with

From industrial site to garden neighbourhood
Where industry once characterised the landscape, a vibrant part of the city of tomorrow is being created. The Kartoni neighbourhood combines ecological awareness, social diversity and bold urban development to create a future-oriented living space in the canton of

OST thinks AI ahead
At the University Day of the OST - Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences - it became clear how artificial intelligence is changing research, teaching and society. Over 150 guests discussed the opportunities and challenges of this technology at the Rapperswil-Jona campus - based on

Switzerland launches pipe recycling at national level
With the "Swiss Plastic Pipe Recycling" project, VSPR and VKR, together with leading partners, are launching a nationwide system for taking back and recycling plastic pipes. The aim is to create a nationwide material cycle that is ecologically and economically sound and taps into previously

Zurich and Aargau plan mobile network
Together with regional planning associations, the cantons of Zurich and Aargau have started work on a regional overall transport concept (rGVK) for the Limmat Valley. The aim is to achieve sustainable mobility development by 2050 - networked, multimodal and coordinated across cantonal

Basel SBB West sets new standards
The winning project by the Penzel Valier team for the extension of the Basel SBB West railway station impresses with an extensive, green hall roof and strong urban integration. The new Margarethen platform access and the Margarethen Bridge form the core of the forward-looking project, which is to

Associations launch national pipe recycling project
The Association of Swiss Plastic Recyclers and the Association of Plastic Pipes and Pipe Components have launched the Swiss Plastic Pipe Recycling project. The aim is to recycle plastic pipes throughout Switzerland for the first time. Companies such as Burkhalter, Eberhard, Meier Tobler, Geberit

Dietikon tackles construction of the stream adventure trail in Grunschen
The town of Dietikon plans to start construction work on the stream adventure trail in Grunschen Park on 7 July. The natural Kneipp facility should be completed by late summer. The canton of Zurich and the town of Dietikon are investing a total of CHF 160,000 in the

May shows minimal increase in rents
Rental prices remained largely stable in May. The canton of Graubünden and the two cantons of Appenzell recorded above-average increases. This is shown by the latest Homegate rental index. A year-on-year comparison across Switzerland shows a price increase of 1.7 per


Digital tool for site development
With a digital guide, the IRAP and IPM institutes of the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland and the company GEOINFO Applications AG are developing a platform that can be used throughout Switzerland to support municipalities and planners in site development. The focus is on



