Densification and residential construction over railway tracks
A development on and above railroad tracks could create urgently needed space for new apartments in Swiss cities without disrupting the flow of public transport. Josef Dittli's proposal opens up a forward-looking debate.
Centrally located railroad station areas in particular have enormous untapped potential. The redevelopment of railway yards is an urban development strategy that is already being used successfully around the world, for example in major cities such as London, New York and Vienna. In Swiss cities, too, this option is increasingly becoming the focus of debates on sustainable densification and innovative urban development.
Political initiatives and reactions
Josef Dittli, a member of the Council of States, has submitted a motion calling on the Federal Council to examine concepts and processes for the use of space above railway tracks. The focus here is particularly on technical and legal feasibility as well as sustainable integration into the existing urban structure. The Federal Council responded positively and sees great potential for residential construction in central locations in the track areas. The business is now being discussed in the Council of States and promises new impetus for urban development projects.
Similar initiatives are also being promoted at cantonal level, for example by the FDP in Zurich, with the aim of making better use of the space available in urban areas and improving the quality of life.
Opportunities and challenges
The realization of such construction projects requires innovative processes and interdisciplinary cooperation between authorities, rail transport companies, construction companies and urban planners.
Central to this are
- Ensuring the functionality and safety of rail traffic
- Sustainable and energy-efficient construction methods
- Integration with existing infrastructure and the cityscape
- Legally clear and transparent processes for planning and planning permission
The use of space above railway tracks offers a promising answer to the challenges of urban densification and the creation of living space. With political initiatives at various levels and the positive attitude of the Federal Council, this potential could be tapped in a meaningful way in the future and future-oriented urban development projects could be realized.