Schwyz removes key areas from its landscape plan

The canton of Schwyz is proceeding with its landscape strategy without the controversial key areas. This removes a sensitive point of contention from the forthcoming revision of the structure plan, although the strategy is still intended to apply to planning and construction projects as well as to the BLN conservation objectives.

Consultation with the relevant federal authorities was crucial to this change of course. According to the canton, approval of the structure plan is possible even without new key areas. The Cantonal Government therefore decided on 9 June 2026 to dispense with designating such areas and to continue the landscape concept in a scaled-down form. In practical terms, however, the issue does not disappear from the planning and development process. The landscape concept is intended to continue to describe Schwyz’s landscapes across the whole canton, set development objectives for each landscape area and specify the conservation objectives for BLN areas. Key elements will later be incorporated into the cantonal structure plan and can be referred to in planning and construction projects. Fewer points of contention in the structuralplan This decision defuses a point of contention that has long been a sensitive issue both politically and technically. In an earlier phase of the project, proposals for landscapes of particular value to the canton were still on the table. The canton’s website documents that a background report, including a landscape typology and proposals for key areas, was drawn up as early as 2020. The canton is now moving away from this and focusing on landscape areas, development objectives and measures. BLN remains a key focus The intervention remains particularly relevant for landowners, planners and authorities, as the concept is not merely a piece of paper. The canton states that it can be taken into account when assessing planning and building projects, as well as other projects that have an impact on the landscape. At the same time, the protection objectives set by the federal government for landscapes of national importance are being clarified. In landscape conservation areas outside building zones, special requirements for buildings and structures already apply. Next step gets underway internally According to the canton, the second phase of drafting the landscape concept is currently under way. Documents for consultation with the cantonal authorities are currently being prepared. Subsequently, key elements are to be incorporated into the structure plan, which in the canton of Schwyz forms the overarching framework for spatially relevant projects.