La Rasude Lausanne
The city of Lausanne is publishing the plan for the La Rasude district, marking the start of the next stage of one of its most important transformation projects. A new part of the city is to be created in the currently underused, heavily sealed area directly next to the train station, combining around 1,200 jobs, almost 500 residents, public space and climate-friendly infrastructure.
La Rasude is one of Lausanne’s six urban transformation poles and is located directly next to the train station and one of the most important public transport hubs in French-speaking Switzerland. From the city’s point of view, this is the ideal location for densification that combines short distances, high density of use and a better quality of life. The plan d’affectation defines the permitted uses, building volumes and requirements for the environment, mobility and monument protection
Building on existing buildings instead of tabula rasa
Around 70 percent of the existing buildings will be preserved, including the striking building on Avenue de la Gare designed by Alphonse Laverrière, whose protection was explicitly secured in a revised project following criticism from the federal government and experts. Individual buildings such as “Gare 45” and “Horizon” may be raised by two storeys, and two new structures will be added. One along the tracks and one in the district center, the heights of which are defined in such a way that the existing skyline and visual references are respected and the Edipresse tower is not towered over
Living, working and social mix
Around 30 percent of the floor space is earmarked for housing, at least 20 percent of which will be logements d’utilité publique, i.e. non-profit apartments. In total, almost 500 people will be able to live in a district that is currently uninhabited. At the same time, a diverse mix of uses will be created, including offices, a hotel, stores, early childhood care, cultural and leisure spaces and neighborhood services. Around 500 square meters will be reserved for cultural professionals and public uses at controlled, affordable rents
Public space, greenery and mobility
The currently closed, heavily sealed complex will be transformed into an open, pedestrian-oriented quarter. Around half of the site will be available as public space in future, much of it with trees and green areas, supplemented by green roofs, photovoltaic systems and a connection to renewable heat sources to significantly improve the carbon footprint. Access on the surface is primarily on foot and by bicycle, while an underground garage with around 275 car parking spaces and around 1,200 bicycle parking spaces bundles the necessary mobility options underground
Political process and outlook
The plan is available for public inspection until December 18. Objections and objections will be incorporated into the further revision before the decision is taken by the municipal council to the canton. In parallel, competitions for architecture and public spaces with participatory formats are planned to ensure the quality of implementation. Construction is currently scheduled to begin around 2029, with the new district coming into operation in stages between 2031 and 2033, provided that any political referendums do not change the timetable.