Mobilization of Generation-Z to the ballot box for real estate-related votes by SVIT Young Zurich
SVIT Young Zurich is launching a series of formats in 2026 to raise young people's awareness of real estate policy issues and motivate them to vote. With events, games and compact information, the association aims to make political education more accessible and tangible. The focus is on decisions that have a direct impact on the housing and real estate market.
Political developments in the real estate sector are becoming ever more pronounced – initiatives such as housing protection in Geneva and Basel clearly demonstrate this. Now a similar vote is also due in Zurich in 2026. SVIT Young Zurich, under the leadership of Alban Kaufmann, would like to become active here and make its contribution in the coming election year. The aim is to raise young people’s long-term awareness of real estate policy issues, show them the consequences of political decisions – and motivate them to go to the polls. But getting young people interested in politics is no easy task. Endless monologues and complicated sentence constructions tend to put people off. The association has therefore developed various formats to reach Generation Z in a more targeted way in the important election year of 2026:
a) “Polit Battle ” – politics live & direct
At the “Polit Battle” live events, young politicians – supporters and opponents – face each other directly. The most important topics are discussed in quick, pointed word duels à la “Arena”, but shorter and more interactive. At the subsequent aperitif, politicians and guests can exchange views in person and form their own opinions.
b) “Built&Rent” political game – experience politics in a playful way
From 2026, the “Built&Rent” game will make it possible to experience the pressure real estate professionals are under – and how political decisions shape the industry. The game will be activated one month before each vote and offers rankings with daily and weekly winners. This turns political education into an interactive experience.
c) Politcheck – election arguments in a nutshell
With the “Politcheck” information flyer in digital and haptic format, SVIT Young Zurich aims to provide a brief overview of relevant political developments and take a position on political issues, upcoming votes and elections. All of the topics presented are political issues that have a direct or indirect impact on the real estate industry.
We are currently providing brief and concise information on the cantonal referendum proposal “State pre-emption rights as a guarantee for more affordable housing?” with the counter-proposal from the Canton of Zurich for the referendum on November 30, 2025.
Should the municipalities intervene even more in the real estate market than they already do? What is behind this promising demand, which seems to be the perfect solution to the current housing shortage? A salutary solution for urgently needed living space? Or rather an additional accelerant of an already overheated real estate market and a destroyer of taxpayers’ money? To get the necessary answers to these questions, we ask FDP cantonal councillor Doris Meier and then present the position of SVIT Young Zurich and SVIT Zurich on this bill.
Further information, documents and dates can be found at:
https://www.svit.ch/de/svit-zuerich/politik