Housing remains in short supply, but lengthy procedures, new regulations, and political uncertainty are hampering development. This is putting increasing pressure on valuations, particularly for new construction and replacement projects, because delays and safety margins directly reduce the

A building permit has been granted for the new administration and security center in Kaltbach. The 139-million-franc project is thus moving closer to the start of construction in the fall of 2026, even though the decision is not yet

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

In major German cities, asking rents have been rising significantly faster than real wages since 2023. At the same time, housing construction fell to 206,600 completions in 2025. This is increasing the pressure on project developers, investors, and cities to provide affordable

The Canton of Zurich expects its population to reach approximately 1.9 million by 2055. However, new zoning designations are not a priority. The main bottlenecks increasingly lie in mobilizing existing reserves, in administrative procedures, and in resistance to

In Sugiez, the Canton of Fribourg has begun construction of the new central prison. The 70.8 million Swiss franc project brings together pretrial detention, open-prison facilities, and ancillary infrastructure at a single location, marking a new chapter in the prison system both in terms of

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

A crack in a steel component usually means either a costly replacement or continuing to use it at the risk of danger. Empa researchers are now pointing to a third option. With metallic 3D printing, damaged steel components can be repaired in a targeted manner without having to replace them

The Canton of Geneva plans to renovate around 300 particularly energy-intensive public buildings by 2038. The programme is allocating 1.25 billion Swiss francs to those properties that account for the lion’s share of building-related emissions, thereby increasing the pressure to renovate public

With effect from 1 July 2026, the Canton of Fribourg is establishing the legal framework for a demolition incentive outside the building zone. This move implements the revised Spatial Planning Act and increases the pressure on property owners, local authorities and planning authorities to manage

Work on the refurbishment of the indoor swimming pool, energy centre and ancillary buildings is set to begin in summer 2026 on Schluefweg in Kloten. The public-sector project, costing around 133 million Swiss francs, will be carried out in phases and will see the site undergoing a complex

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 federal government is working on faster procedures, a stricter approach to objections, and a greater emphasis on infill development. However, as of June 22, 2026, its ability to influence the situation remains limited: Many measures are politically driven, and their impact on the creation of

Lucerne has made its decision—and it was a clear one. On June 14, 2026, the city’s residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of both housing proposals. A right of first refusal and a more active land policy are intended to increase the share of affordable housing more quickly. But policymakers

The German real estate market isn't sending a faint signal—it's sending a loud one. Surveys, indices, and cancellation rates all point in the same direction: sentiment is shifting. This time, it’s hitting residential construction the hardest. Fears of regulation, a smoldering conflict in the

PIRMIN JUNG Schweiz AG has published a guide to the design and construction of circular timber buildings. It is intended to lay the groundwork for transforming timber construction into a circular building method and reducing emissions in the construction

High above Lake Zurich, a development for the top league is being built in Schindellegi. But things are bubbling underneath the building site. Artesian groundwater, a year of standstill and hesitant buyers are turning the prestigious project into a stress test for developers, authorities and the

The HWZ in Zurich and Mainz University of Applied Sciences are joining forces to make the construction industry more digitally fit. The focus is on new study and further education courses at the interface of real estate, data and the built environment. This will give companies better access to

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Rental price momentum on the Swiss residential property market is likely to pick up again after a relative lull due to a shortage of supply, high demand and rising construction costs. Nevertheless, construction activity remains low due to extensive regulations, according to a study by the

BRUGG Pipes AG has supplied its new ARMOPEX flexible pipe system to Olomouc Zoo in the Czech Republic. The pipe system will be used in the new Loděnka Education Centre, which will house the country's largest shark aquarium in the

Sika has opened a production facility for mortar products in the US state of New Jersey. According to the speciality chemicals company, the plant is the largest of its kind in the USA and serves to supply important metropolitan regions in the north-east of the

Ticino has positioned itself as a canton of the future. Innovation Park, SBB plant, Cornaredo, Tram-Treno - the list of major projects is long. But visions alone only change a square meter when excavators start rolling. 2026 will show where paper becomes

The housing shortage in Switzerland is real. The vacancy rate is a meagre 1 percent and rents have risen by 37 percent since 2002. In the current referendum campaign on the 10 million initiative, the finger is clearly pointing in one direction: immigration. But those who are only looking for

The construction industry is one of the most digitized industries in Switzerland. At the same time, it is one of the least digitized industries in the world. This is exactly what is changing. Artificial intelligence is making inroads, not via robotic arms, but via planning, monitoring and data

The handover of a building to the user is considered a critical bottleneck in the real estate life cycle. Often underestimated, the quality of commissioning has a significant influence on potential follow-up costs, operational stability and the satisfaction of all

Oxara and the Winterthur Building Authority are organising a specialist event on natural building materials at the Winterthur Grüze Innovation Lab. On 9 June, four experts will present their projects there and discuss how the use of traditional materials can be reimagined for the modern

Ginox Swiss Kitchen has been granted a European patent for its new double-lip air intake, an innovation incorporated into the PerformAir extractor hood. This technology is designed to improve grease extraction, air intake and hygiene in commercial

The cleantech company Synhelion has refuelled an excavator with its renewable diesel for the first time. The heavy construction machine, owned by Eberhard Bau AG, is in use at the Brütten Tunnel construction site near Bassersdorf, Zurich, and is reportedly running smoothly

With the acquisition of Bern-based Elektro ERTI AG, InstallerGroup Switzerland has expanded its presence beyond the greater Zurich area for the first time. Elektro ERTI AG will continue to operate under its existing name and will remain under the leadership of its founder, Ertugrul