immoTable Glarus shows prospects for the Alpine region
At the 105th immoTable in Glarus, the focus was on the future of the location. Under the motto "Glarus - room for potential", decision-makers and experts from the real estate industry, planning and politics discussed the opportunities, challenges and visions of sustainable development in the Alpine region.
Monika Schärer opened the event with a clear impulse. The Glarus region is ready to reinvent itself and serve as a model for urban development in the Alpine region. Andreas Binkert, architect, lecturer and board member of the Nüesch Group, led the guests through the Spatial Concept Switzerland 2050, emphasizing the need for polycentric structures, forward-looking site development and environmentally friendly mobility and energy solutions. According to the SIA, a development strategy for the whole of Switzerland up to 2070 is needed, which serves as a binding basis for prioritization, weighing up interests and investment security.
Smart Valley Glarus
The focus was on the question of how alpine regions such as Glarus can benefit from change. The vision of a “Smart Valley Glarus” was outlined, not as an artificially created city, but as a cluster-like spatial structure with high density, mixed use and seamless integration of existing villages. Education, the circular economy, digitalization and energy-efficient construction form the basis for this. Glarus could thus become a pilot region for an Alpine smart city in which sustainable ways of living and working are created.
Location quality and pioneering spirit
Marianne Lienhard, the canton’s Director of Economic Affairs, emphasized the strong pioneering spirit and high location quality in her talk. The canton of Glarus is an “industrial pearl with a down-to-earth attitude” that is economically strong and at the same time offers space for quality of life, recreation and innovation. The heterogeneity of the localities and the close connection of the population to their places of residence are decisive locational advantages that strengthen social cohesion.
Active location development
Andreas Mächler from the cantonal contact point for the economy showed how actively location development is being pursued. Thanks to revised land use planning, several hectares of building land are available in Glarus North. Well developed, centrally located and significantly cheaper than the national average. Companies benefit from attractive framework conditions, short distances to the administration and a dynamic relocation policy.
Real estate market analysis
Andrea Bernhard from Wüst und Partner analyzed the current situation on the Glarus real estate market. Despite growing demand and an almost empty supply, the price level is stagnating compared to other regions. In Glarus South in particular, new construction activity is low and most of the housing stock is outdated. But this is precisely where the opportunities lie. Densification, flexible building zones and targeted development could provide new impetus, provided a balance can be struck between growth and identity.
Real Estate Award
To conclude, Tim Caspar from Real Estate Award AG presented the upcoming award event on October 2, 2025. With over 400 decision-makers, a gala and awards ceremony in five categories, the innovative strength of the industry will be made visible here. A strong starting point for all those who want to help shape the future.
The immoTable Glarus has shown that the canton is at the beginning of a new stage. With a clear attitude, an open mind for cooperation and the courage to transform, Glarus can become a role model for sustainable development in the Alpine region, as a space for investment, innovation and a good life.