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

As one of the first PropTech pioneers in Switzerland, Heinz Schwyter knows the digital development of the real estate industry like no other. In this interview, he talks about the importance of data, the role of AI, cultural and organizational hurdles and which trends and technologies will shape

Smart cities mark the transition from traditional urban planning to data-based, networked and learning urban systems. According to international rankings, cities such as Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne have been among the world leaders for years. Not because of individual gadgets, but thanks to clear

Hydrogen is supposed to heat houses, power cars and save industry. That sounds like a simple solution to a complex problem. The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research has now evaluated more than 100 studies and the result is clear: hydrogen is not a panacea, but a targeted tool.

Seven years of work, two appeals, a decision by the cantonal government and now Bremgarten's new land use plan has been almost fully in force since February 2, 2026. Almost, because the cantonal government sent three points back to the town. The municipal assembly will decide again in

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

Zurich wants to save its historic arsenals on the barracks site. But the price tag has risen dramatically. What was once estimated at 55 million francs now costs almost four times as much. The city council has presented a new utilization concept and is focusing on culture, commerce and a social

The Federal Council decided on April 1, 2026 that the imputed rental value will not be abolished until 2029. What is considered a compromise politically sounds like a stalling tactic to many of those affected. But the direction has long been

On April 2, 2026, a stone fell on one of Baden's last large building land reservoirs - five to be precise. The Brisgi site in the Kappelerhof district entered its decisive phase with a symbolic laying of the foundation stone. Around 220 affordable apartments will be built here by 2028, providing a

The Zurich Cantonal Electricity Board (EKZ) has installed a solar power plant on the roofs of the Embraport with a total capacity of up to 4.5 megawatts. A further 1 megawatt and a large-scale battery are in the planning stage. The plant is operated and maintained by

The energy supplier Repower AG has a new CEO. Michael Roth will take over the reins in June 2026. He succeeds Roland Leuenberger, who has led the company since

Aargau Verkehr AG has installed a solar power system at the bus depot in Fahrwangen in collaboration with AEW Energie AG. The system has been generating solar power since March. It is expected to be fully operational by the time the new electric buses are launched in October

From 2037, the University Hospital of Zurich, the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and Stadelhofen railway station are set to be heated and cooled using energy from Lake Zurich. Energie 360° is investing around 40 million Swiss francs in the

Regionalwerke AG Baden is commencing work on the expansion of the Ennetbaden district heating network. The aim is to ensure a long-term, climate-friendly heat supply as part of the journey towards the net-zero target. Two construction phases are planned between 20 April and 31

Walo Bertschinger AG is involved in the expansion of the Landquart Fashion Outlet. The shopping centre is set to be expanded by 5,000 square metres by April 2026. Walo is carrying out the paving and surfacing

Bonacasa, based in Oensingen, is currently contributing to the development of the Arbora neighbourhood in Crissier. The bonacasa living residential concept, with its range of facilities and services, is enabling the creation of 63 accessible flats for active older

EBL Energie Rigi has broken ground on the connecting pipeline between the Haltikon energy centre and the Adligenswil district heating network. The pipeline is the first phase of construction for the expanded heating network. It will enable the outdated heating plant in Adligenswil to be

Marc Flückiger is set to succeed Hansjörg Brunner as president of WirtschaftsPortalOst. A trained cheesemaker, he is a co-owner of SYGMA AG Liegenschaftenbetreuung in Wil. Brunner has chaired the Wil Area Business Association since its foundation in

In Switzerland, around 555 new battery storage systems were installed in 2025. This brings the total number of storage systems connected to the grid to 1,451. This is according to Swissolar’s Battery Monitor 2026. The association expects this figure to rise to 2,461 installed systems by

Primeo Energie reported turnover of 1.8 billion Swiss francs in 2025, down from 2.3 billion the previous year. Profit rose from 91 million to 109 million Swiss francs. This was partly due to the divestment of wind farms in Norway and the Swiss electric vehicle

The construction group Implenia has secured several building contracts in Switzerland and Germany with a total value of 310 million Swiss francs. These include the Jardins en Ville development in Vevey (VD), projects for sustainable housing, and contracts in the justice, education, research and

Researchers at ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology are developing an insulation material made from sawdust that can be used for fire protection. The material, which is mixed with minerals, is intended for use in fire-resistant interior

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

Sika is supporting the HIL Living Lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) during the first three phases of the project. The teaching and research building for architecture and construction sciences (HIL) is being renovated and extended as a real-world case study for circular

The majority shareholders of Procimmo Group AG have agreed to sell their shares to the Vaudoise Insurance Group. Vaudoise already held 20 per cent of the share capital. This is expected to create opportunities for further development at

The PropTech Map Switzerland reveals the strength and diversity of the digital property industry in Switzerland. Over 470 companies, numerous categories and clear regional clusters show a dynamic innovation ecosystem. However, its boundaries are becoming increasingly

Today, digital technologies accompany properties through all phases of their life cycle. From the initial investment idea through construction and operation to refurbishment, decarbonisation and demolition. Proptech solutions make data usable, reduce costs and emissions and open up new services for

One in ten jobs in the Zurich region is linked to the financial sector. Around 16 per cent of total regional value added comes from banks, insurance companies and banking-related service providers. A new study puts the figures on the table and at the same time the Zurich Banking Association makes a

Anyone who wanted to get their money back from the UBS property fund is now facing a closed door. Anyone who wants to get out will have to wait up to three years. The case is not an isolated event; it is the third sign in just a few weeks that an entire investment segment has come under pressure.

Two days, four halls, an entire industry under one roof. Ineltec will return to Messe Zürich on 9 and 10 September 2026, bigger than when it restarted in 2024 and with a partnership that will give the trade fair national appeal. The number of exhibitors from two years ago has already been