A sector is reinventing itself
The Silbern site in Dietikon is a thriving business and shopping district in the heart of the Limmat Valley. For a long time, however, the site lacked coordinated dialogue between the various stakeholders. Whilst other business hubs in the region were catching up, Silbern was treading water. Now, the key players have embarked on a new course.
Representatives from IG Silbern, Limeco, BirdLife, the town of Dietikon and the Canton of Zurich have been engaged in a wide-ranging mediation process since 2024, led by PD Dr Joris Van Wezemael. The aim was to build genuine mutual understanding. This resulted in mutual respect between the business community, nature conservation organisations and the public sector. On this basis, the ‘Allianz Zukunft Silbern’ alliance was launched in mid-January 2026.
A model that transcends boundaries
The Alliance operates differently from traditional planning bodies. Business, mobility, the environment and nature are no longer dealt with in separate processes, but are planned and managed jointly. The foundation is laid by a binding vision and a charter of cooperation, which clearly define roles, principles and structures such as the steering group, operational committee and secretariat. Those who help plan also share responsibility. That is the core of this approach.
Sharing responsibility
At the heart of the initiative is the partnership-based development of the Silbern. Property owners, businesses, nature conservation organisations and the public sector are to address relevant issues through dialogue, in a solution-oriented manner and with shared responsibility. The alliance sees itself as a binding framework for pooling interests at an early stage, identifying conflicts and coordinating long-term development steps.
Major issues, a concrete framework
The scope of work ranges from quality of life and green spaces to mobility solutions within the area. At the same time, the buffer zone adjacent to the nature conservation area is an active issue that the Alliance is addressing in collaboration with nature conservation stakeholders. The aim is to create a location that brings economic development, good accessibility, and natural and living environments more closely together.
Support from the canton
Martin Neukom, President of the Government and Head of the Department of Public Works for the Canton of Zurich, attended the launch in person and reaffirmed the canton’s support. This signal carries weight. It shows that the model is not viewed as a local experiment, but as an approach that can be replicated in other areas of the region.
What matters now
The potential of Silbern lies not in a single major initiative, but in the sum of coordinated steps. The alliance aims to further develop Silbern as a sustainable, easily accessible and environmentally responsible business location that offers companies attractive conditions whilst simultaneously strengthening natural habitats and living environments. Whether this new beginning leads to lasting change will be determined by how it is implemented.
Text: Jessica Bill • Image: courtesy of the publisher