
More living space from the system
Serial construction is a response to the housing shortage, cost and climate pressure and opens up new opportunities for quality, sustainability and the circular economy. The decisive factor will be whether it is possible to combine standardization with architectural diversity and social

Choice of materials to combat the urban heat
The material catalog "Building materials for cities in a changing climate" is now available in an expanded new edition. It shows how the right choice of materials can specifically influence heat stress, urban climate and quality of stay in densely built-up areas and provides planners with a

Startups that are turning construction upside down
Six start-ups competed in the final of the Swissbau Startup Challenge in the Swissbau Lab. They showed how CO₂ can be reduced, processes streamlined and resources circulated. An expert jury selected the winners, Basel Circular presented the Circular Award for the first time and one thing was

Klybeckquai and Westquai as a hinge between the city and the future
Basel is setting new standards in urban planning with the development of Klybeckquai and Westquai. A newly conceived quarter on the Rhine, flexible uses on Westquai and generous open spaces define the face of a dynamic, complex urban

Canton of Zurich presents design plan for Limmattal Energy Centre
The canton of Zurich will be presenting the design plan for the Limmattal Energy Centre for a period of 60 days starting on 20 January. In future, this centre, located on the site of the current waste incineration plant, will also include wastewater treatment. Wastewater treatment at Antoniloch

Modernization and building mobility: Why we need to build on the existing infrastructure
Cities of all sizes face a common challenge: their key infrastructure was never designed for the relentless pace of modern life. Millions of people rely on systems that are decades old, well past their intended lifespan and incompatible with climate


SVIT Zurich political talk “Zurich municipal council elections 2026”
On March 8, 2026, the city of Zurich will elect its municipal council. In the SVIT Zurich Polit Talk, seven committed candidates will discuss their positions on housing and real estate policy, present solutions for the tight housing market and enter into direct dialog with the

Future model for life sciences, research and cluster power
The Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area Main Campus, Europe's highest-profile innovation cluster for life sciences, biotech and healthcare technologies, is being created in the Bachgraben area of Allschwil. International corporations, top research institutes, start-ups and academic leaders work

Engineers’ Day 2026
On March 4, 2026, Switzerland will once again be dedicated to the art of engineering. Engineers' Day will bring together experts in engineering, STEM and tech professions. Supplemented for the first time by the national "National Conference of Engineers" at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences

Gray Energy Steep Pass for Tenant Protection
The debate about a sustainable building stock is at a crossroads. While the construction of energy-efficient buildings, energy-efficient renovation and the use of low-emission energy sources are now standard practice, the opinion-forming process on grey energy is still in full swing. Grey energy is

Zurich strengthens energy transition with 60 million program
The canton of Zurich wants to further reduce emissions in the building sector. To this end, the cantonal government is applying for a new framework credit of CHF 60 million until 2029. Together with federal funds, up to CHF 286 million is available for energy promotion

Wolf-Areal Basel affordable apartments
A new part of the city will be built on the Wolf development site in Basel from 2028. SBB is granting building rights for two plots to the Basler Wohngenossenschaft and Vivanta AG. Around 270 affordable apartments based on the cost-rent principle will create a mixed, lively

Canton Zurich wants to use large roofs for solar power
Roof areas larger than 300 square metres in the canton of Zurich are to be used entirely for the production of solar power in future. This is what the cantonal government is proposing. In addition, grid operators are to jointly promote long-term storage in

Official surveying in Switzerland gets a new strategy until 2040
Switzerland is getting a new strategy for its official surveying. This should contribute to greater reliability, accessibility and usability of official geodata. For example, new technologies such as artificial intelligence and 3D modelling are to be integrated into the land

More flexibility in hotel industry training in Thun
From the 2026/27 academic year onwards, the Thun Hotel Management School will offer students the option of commuting daily instead of staying at the school hotel. Teaching hours, inter-company courses and the organisation of the school day will be adjusted accordingly to offer this

Project makes barriers in everyday city life tangible again
The "Achtung Barriere!" project tests how people with disabilities experience the city and what obstacles make their everyday lives difficult. Mixed reality applications are used for this purpose. The project is being carried out by Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Correctiv.Schweiz

Experimental field of cooperative city life
The Hobelwerk in Oberwinterthur shows how a dense, mixed-use district can be created from a former industrial site right next to the train station, combining living, working and community life in a new way. Around 400 people live and work here in a confined space with diverse forms of housing,

Cantons stop fire protection liberalization
Following the fire in Valais, the cantons have halted the "BSV 2026" project and put the planned relaxation of Swiss fire safety regulations on ice. Instead of deregulation, the focus is now on analysis, clarification and readjustment, with an open outcome between tightening, standardization or


Basel between regulation and reality
The mood in the Basel property world is tense, and rightly so. Anyone planning, redeveloping or investing in projects today feels the contradictions between political aspirations, economic reality and social expectations. Hardly any other economic region in Switzerland is currently as exemplary of


St.Gallen prevents planning standstill in municipalities
With an amendment to the Planning and Building Act, the St.Gallen government is creating more planning security for municipalities, investors and project sponsors. Special use plans remain possible even during ongoing local planning revisions and the deadline for adapting land use planning to the

Federal government supports 33 model projects for tomorrow’s spatial planning
Over the next four years, the federal government will be supporting 33 projects throughout Switzerland with a total of almost CHF 4.3 million through the model projects for sustainable spatial development. The aim is to test new approaches to housing, landscape, supply, movement and regional

Polysportive lighthouse project takes shape
A new sports powerhouse for the Zurich region will be built between Dübendorf and Wangen-Brüttisellen by fall 2026. The Zurich Sports Center in the Dürrbach area will bring together over 30 types of sport under one roof. This project combines popular and top-class sport, training and

What the new Spatial Planning Act can do
The first part of the revised spatial planning law with RPG2 and the amended Spatial Planning Ordinance has been in force since January 1, 2026. Further key provisions will come into force on July 1, 2026. The focus is on a stabilization target that puts a stronger brake on building outside

Fresh capital for data-based planning in the construction industry
The start-up vyzn, which specializes in digital and sustainable construction planning, has successfully completed its seed financing round with Swiss and Finnish partners. The team of three male and one female founder now wants to expand the portfolio and grow. Vyzn will launch in Germany at the