From industrial site to garden neighbourhood
Where industry once characterised the landscape, a vibrant part of the city of tomorrow is being created. The Kartoni neighbourhood combines ecological awareness, social diversity and bold urban development to create a future-oriented living space in the canton of Glarus.
The Kartoni neighbourhood shows how visionary urban development can succeed. On a former industrial site, a green residential neighbourhood with around 150 flats is being created, complemented by service and cultural facilities. What still exists as a planning sketch today will develop in several stages into a diverse living space that is open to all generations and lifestyles. The historical backdrop of Glarus will not only form the framework, but will also be further developed through modern architecture and sustainable construction methods.
Town and country reconnected
Glarus is more than just the canton’s capital, it is a way of life. Only an hour away from Zurich or St. Gallen, Glarus offers urban density and natural recreation at the same time. The Kartoni neighbourhood reinforces this quality. It builds a bridge between the district of Ennenda and the town centre, creating new paths and meeting places both spatially and socially. The municipal merger that took place in 2011 thus takes on a tangible architectural dimension.
Water as a connecting element
In future, the Linth will become the lifeline of the neighbourhood. Where previously sealed surfaces dominated, a public riverside space with direct access to the water is being created. The renaturalised canal interweaves with the river landscape and creates a playful counterpart to the structured design of the nearby Volksgarten. The area becomes a meeting place for walks, relaxation and shared experiences.
Car-free garden neighbourhood
The Kartoni neighbourhood relies on an underground solution for mobility. Directly after the Linth Bridge, an access road leads to a spacious underground car park, which means that the entire neighbourhood remains car-free above ground. The result is a garden neighbourhood that is open, green and criss-crossed by paths. The car-free design not only promotes peace and safety, but also sends out a strong signal in favour of a new way of living together in densely populated areas.
The courage to take stages and a plan with a vision
The development of the neighbourhood does not follow a rigid timetable, but reacts flexibly to political, economic and social conditions. Several planning strands are currently running in parallel: from the Hängg Tower to residential areas and the integration of a music school. The already approved development plan is being adapted to new requirements, particularly in relation to the neighbouring Dorfbach project in Ennenda.