The federal government has once again placed 45 billion projects in the transport sector on its list of priorities, despite the Federal Audit Office’s sharp criticism of the selection and funding process. The battle over the allocation of funds is intensifying, particularly in relation to the

Bern is proposing a mandatory refurbishment scheme for energy-inefficient buildings. Anyone currently owning a property with a GEAK rating of E, F or G would be required, depending on the rating, to achieve at least a building envelope rating of D within 10, 15 or 20 years. This will increase the

Biel is reorganizing its extensive real estate portfolio. In August 2026, the municipal council adopted a strategic framework to ensure that maintenance, investments, school facilities, and land policy are no longer based on scattered data and fragmented

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

Even 351 vacant flats in Bern are still not enough to provide even a minimal buffer. As at 1 June 2026, the vacancy rate remained at 0.44 per cent, even though the housing stock had risen to 79,797 units by the end of 2025 and new builds had already been fully

For households on BKW’s basic service plan, electricity will become even more affordable in 2027. According to the company, for an annual consumption of 4,500 kilowatt-hours, the bill will decrease by about 95 francs per year. At the same time, a voluntary grid tariff will be introduced, offering

956 valid signatures were enough in Zollikofen to put the rezoning of the Steinibachgrube to a public vote. This means that a housing project comprising around 140 flats will become a political litmus test for urban densification, the risk posed by contaminated sites and traffic

In the Tscharnergut neighbourhood of Bern and in other residential areas, heritage conservation and housing regeneration are at loggerheads. Whilst property owners and housing cooperatives are pushing for replacement buildings, objections are dragging proceedings out for years, thereby exacerbating

In Bern’s Viererfeld neighborhood, the cost of purchasing a cooperative apartment is rising significantly. Following the decision on June 1, 2026, the minimum equity contribution will rise to 2,000 francs, plus share certificates totaling approximately 40,000 francs, depending on the size of the

The redevelopment of Bärenplatz and Waisenhausplatz in Bern has cleared its next hurdle. The Bern-Mittelland District Office has granted the building permit and rejected an objection. This brings the start of construction closer, with work set to begin no earlier than the fourth quarter of

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 Biel, two municipal housing initiatives have been submitted with approximately 2,600 signatures. They call for a significant increase in the number of nonprofit and municipal housing units by 2055, as well as mandatory quotas for affordable housing on privately owned

In Bern’s new Viererfeld/Mittelfeld neighborhood, the M31 development site—reserved for senior housing—is now set to be developed by the Serena Foundation. This change keeps the goal of affordable housing for seniors on track, but it also highlights how strongly planning regulations and

One week after the “No” vote on the 10-million initiative, the FDP is shifting the housing policy debate to building land, objections, and land-use conversions. For planners, property owners, and municipalities, this once again raises the question of whether densification alone can still solve

The Swiss Real Estate Forum (SREF) took place for the first time in Bern on June 11 and 12, 2026. By moving to BERNEXPO, the industry event brought itself closer to federal politics and set an example for dialogue between the real estate industry, politics, academia, and

The Road Traffic and Navigation Office of the Canton of Berne has a space problem and a building substance problem. For years, one of the canton's most important administrative authorities has been working in buildings in need of renovation at three different locations. Now the canton is pulling

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

President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin officially inaugurated the new Toblerone production line at Mondelez Schweiz Production GmbH in Bern on March 10, 2026. The Chicago-based parent company invested CHF 65 million in this new global competence

Heller Gastro AG is celebrating the reopening of its Eiger Lodge Grindelwald. After a nine-month renovation period and an investment of CHF 4.5 million, the hostel-style hotel will reopen on 19 December

STRABAG is continuing the renewal of the Central Railway line in the Haslital. The modernization project is intended to ensure flood protection there. The location of the construction site, which runs through several nature reserves, is a particular challenge for logistics and

The Dietiker Pestalozzi Group has started the construction of its new logistics center in Pieterlen with a ground-breaking ceremony. Among other things, this is intended to secure the long-term growth of Transstahl AG, which belongs to

Lignum Holzwirtschaft Bern has published a series of brochures under the name "Forest and Wood Compass". The practical documents are intended to support authorities and administrations in the sustainable use of

Construction work on the Biel/Bienne campus began with the laying of the foundation stone on 6 May. the new education and research centre of the Bern University of Applied Sciences is due to be completed in 2028. The federal government, canton and a private partner are investing CHF 400 million in

Researchers from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) are participating in the construction of a water wheel in Steffisburg. The aim of the water wheel is to continue to supply the Mühlebach stream with water and protect the ecosystem from drying

The Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics is planning an exploratory borehole for a geothermal site at the National Sports Center in Magglingen. The borehole is due to be drilled at the end of 2027. The aim is to gain insights into deep water resources for geothermal heat

Energy supplier ewb and the municipality of Köniz want to use surplus water from the Schönau pumping station to generate renewable heat for 5,000 households. To this end, they are building the Bern-Wabern heating

Gasser Ceramic has been awarded this year's Prix SVC Espace Mittelland 2025. Platit and Schwob followed in second and third place. Megasol Energie and Olwo were honoured with a

The Centre for Innovation and Digitalisation (ZID) is transforming from a source of inspiration for early-stage start-ups to a facilitator for SMEs and start-ups. The focus is on artificial intelligence, digital transformation and succession

Under the leadership of Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, representatives of the cantons, cities and municipalities as well as the construction and property industry and civil society have agreed on over 30 measures in the housing shortage action plan. The aim is to increase the supply of housing

The Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB) supports sustainable renovation with mortgages at preferential conditions. To this end, BEKB has teamed up with the Bernese online platform myky. The mortgages are based on the myky renovation