Representatives of the three levels of government, the construction and real estate industry as well as other actors participated in the round table. The aim of the meeting was to find a common understanding of the challenge and the roles of the actors, to get an overview of the causes of the housing shortage and to discuss possible solutions.
The issue of housing shortages has been discussed for several weeks. At the national level, the situation is not yet dramatic. However, the housing market is already strained in some regions and the prospects for the coming years are not rosy. The backgrounds and causes for this development are diverse and complex.
Approaches to solutions can only be worked out together with all those involved. Following the round table, various questions will now be examined in greater depth. At the same time, an action plan with possible measures will be developed.
Aus Branchensicht zeichnet sich im April keine einheitliche Entwicklungsrichtung des Geschäftslageindikators ab. Das Verarbeitende Gewerbe hat seine Abwärtstendenz der Vormonate vorerst gestoppt. Im Baugewerbe, im Detailhandel und bei den übrigen Dienstleistungen bekommt die Geschäftslage einen Dämpfer. Etwas stärker fällt dieser im Grosshandel aus. Wenig verändert präsentiert sich die Geschäftslage im Gastgewerbe und im Bereich Projektierung.
Lieferketten funktionieren meist wieder – Meldungen über fehlende Vorprodukte nehmen ab Über mehrere Wirtschaftsbereiche hinweg deutet sich an, dass das Problem des Material- und Vorproduktemangels erheblich an Schärfe verliert. Sowohl im Baugewerbe als auch noch deutlicher im Verarbeitenden Gewerbe nehmen die Meldungen über fehlende Materialien und Vorprodukte stark ab. Die Grosshändler gehen von eher sinkenden Lieferfristen aus.
Die Unternehmen des Verarbeitenden Gewerbes berichten zudem von aus ihrer Sicht deutlich zu hohen Vorproduktebeständen in ihren Lagern. Nachdem die Lagerbestände gezielt aufgebaut wurden, könnte nun eine Phase folgen, in der der Zielbestand an Vorprodukten wieder nach unten angepasst wird.
Höhepunkt beim Preisauftrieb überschritten Wie die Ergebnisse der Umfragen zeigen, planen die Unternehmen mit niedrigeren Preisanstiegen als bis anhin. In allen befragten Wirtschaftsbereichen ist der Höhepunkt der Preisanpassungen zunächst einmal überschritten.
Am häufigsten sind noch Preisanhebungen im Gastgewerbe geplant, allerdings weniger stark nach oben gerichtet wie in den Vorquartalen. Wesentlich für den abnehmenden Auftrieb bei den Verkaufspreisen dürfte sein, dass auch die Einkaufspreise für die Vorprodukte der Unternehmen nicht mehr so stark steigen. Die Lieferketten funktionieren meist wieder und bei den Energiepreisen, etwa beim Gas, entspannt sich die Situation derzeit.
Zu diesen Planungen bezüglich der eigenen Verkaufspreise passen die Erwartungen der Unternehmen hinsichtlich der allgemeinen Teuerung. Im April rechnen sie mit einer Inflation von 2.6% in den kommenden zwölf Monaten. Das ist abermals ein geringerer Anstieg als in den vergangenen Umfragen. Im Januar gingen sie noch von 2.9% und im Oktober 2022 von 3.7% Inflation in den jeweils folgenden zwölf Monaten aus. Seit Sommer 2022 werden die Unternehmen in den KOF Konjunkturumfragen regelmässig zu ihren Inflationserwartungen befragt.
Arbeitskräftemangel bereitet den Unternehmen weiterhin Sorgen Der Personalmangel beeinträchtigt die Unternehmen nach wie vor erheblich. Zwar sind die Klagen über einen Personalmangel nicht mehr lauter geworden – Entwarnung kann aber in keinem Wirtschaftsbereich gegeben werden. Die Berichte von Knappheiten auf dem Arbeitsmarkt sind in allen Wirtschaftsbereichen im mittelfristigen Vergleich derzeit relativ weit verbreitet.
The aim of the survey was to understand the housing situation in the cities and urban municipalities and to gain up-to-date insights into housing policy activities. For this purpose, the consultancy firm Wüest Partner had asked the 130 members of the Association of Cities and Towns from November to December 2022. 59 cities took part in the survey.
Too few affordable flats – even in smaller cities The survey confirms on the one hand that affordable housing is an important housing policy concern of the cities. On the other hand, it underlines the problem that is currently dominating the public debate: The supply of available housing is very scarce. Around two-thirds of the cities rate it as “far too small” or “somewhat too small”. In addition to housing offers in the lower price segment, there is also a lack of opportunities for home ownership.
The lack of low-priced housing primarily affects households with children, especially single-parent households. The situation in the large cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants is perceived as particularly tense. But smaller cities also consider the housing supply in this segment to be insufficient.
There isa lack of building land and it is too expensive 68 per cent of the cities surveyed state that they give away land in building rights, linking this to conditions such as favourable rents. The aim is to create more affordable housing.
More than 80 percent of the cities also state that they have too few building land reserves. Many would like to buy up more land. However, this is often unrealistic due to the high market prices. A good half cite the long and often complicated procedures as well as a lack of interest from private investors as factors that make it difficult to create affordable housing.
There is a need for action 60 percent of all cities surveyed see a “high” or “very high need for action” at the federal policy level. Around 70 per cent of the medium-sized and large cities share this view. As a possible solution, the respondents most frequently named a right of first refusal for building land and properties (80 per cent).
Almost 70 per cent of the respondents also believe that rents can be reduced if the previous rent is made transparent when a tenant changes hands. The cities assess their own possibilities to influence the housing market as rather low. The cities see the greatest possibilities for exerting influence in the promotion of non-profit housing construction.
The Association of Cities will use the findings of the report as an opportunity to formulate measures and demands. Furthermore, on 12 May, a round table chaired by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will address the issue of housing shortages. Among others, representatives of the cantons, cities and municipalities as well as the construction and real estate industry are invited.
The SVIT AWARD is given to property management companies that have implemented innovative solutions to minor or major challenges in the management of rental properties or condominiums over the last three years.
The jury assesses the submissions on the basis of three sets of questions:
How innovative is the approach?
How well can the effect be measured?
how easily can the solution approach be transferred and scaled up?
The selection of the projects for the public vote was not easy. The jury was unanimous in its choice of the projects digital interfaces by Welcome Immobilien, online navigator for housing estates by Previs Immobilien and an app solution for condominiums by Matma Immobilien.
SVIT members now have until 12 June 2023 to find out about the solutions on the Svit homepage and choose their favourite.
A house shift is undoubtedly a rare and impressive event. This is what happened on 17 August last year at Lugano railway station. The actual shifting of the house, which used to house the post office and later the customs authorities, lasted from 8.30 am to 12.00 pm. The house, built at the beginning of the last century, has long been protected because of its architectural significance. Its location would have caused major problems, especially during the excavation work for the new subway, and therefore posed great challenges for all involved. It was decided to move it about 40 metres towards the north, and after about a year it was more or less moved to its original position.
The technology used to move a 600-tonne, 25-metre wide, 10-metre long and 9-metre high building cannot be used just like that. Months of preparations were necessary before the building could be moved. First, the building was completely hollowed out and a reinforcement made of wood and steel was built to prevent the outer walls from being damaged during the shift. Then, the ground was removed both around the building and inside it to expose the original foundation, which was completely milled away and gradually replaced with steel beams. At the same time, the advance tracks were prepared to the north of the building, on which the house was moved about 40 metres.
At the end of this year, as soon as the work on the subway is completed, the house will return to its original place, where it will stand on a fresh foundation for many years to come.
More than ten years ago, we prepared an internal study on user-centred location development for an economic region. The core focus was on high-tech companies whose needs were to be taken into account in settlement processes. By high-tech companies we did not just mean the “Googles” and “Facebooks” of today’s economy, but companies in general that operate with the most modern means, i.e. also manufacturing industry. Larger companies looking for a new location were interested in having a university close to them geographically. This was in order to ensure an exchange with science and teaching and to be able to attract graduates with attractive offers in relative proximity. Google leads the way: in 2004, the American company started in Zurich with two employees. Today, the high-tech company offers around 5,000 jobs in Zurich. This is not only because Zurich is a beautiful city, but above all because the renowned “Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule” (ETH) is at home in Zurich. The study also showed that employees of such companies look for a wide range of local leisure and cultural activities, i.e. short distances. Even if land prices are higher in the city than in the countryside: many companies attach importance to “exciting” buildings for their corporate base (see exemplary article picture). The city often offers interesting brownfield sites where industrial companies used to be located. As a PR effect and from the perspective of good employer branding, this should not be underestimated.
So why should urban locations consider creating more offers for manufacturing industry again in the future? The answer: underused areas are functionally mixed and thus upgraded. The municipality contributes to shorter distances, relieves the sometimes overburdened local transport system, the commuter volume is reduced, which leads to an increased sustainability of a location. By creating jobs in the municipality, purchasing power is increased, which in turn increases business tax revenues. Urban manufacturing is a megatrend that distinguishes between “urban industry”, “urban manufactures” (handicrafts) and “urban agriculture” (urban farming). A future topic that is very interesting for every city and urban region and should be kept in mind as a topic in location development. Why not create a picture of the future that shows what a sustainable location could look like in the future with a healthy mix of manufacturing, leisure and housing?
Swiss Association for Location Management SVSM – the umbrella organisation for location and business development The SVSM is a practice-oriented and independent contact point for questions on the topic of location management and business development. As an umbrella association, it has around 80 members from the fields of location management, regional marketing, business development and real estate. The association promotes the interdisciplinary exchange of experience and networking and is committed to professionalism in location management. With the event series “SVSM Dialog”, the SVSM organises a semi-annual hybrid specialist conference with a changing focus on location management or economic development. Since 2007, the organisation has presented the SVSM Awards for innovative projects in location and business development and elected a deserving personality as location manager of the year.
Lucerne North is a development focus of the Canton of Lucerne. In the coming years, 1,500 new flats, 4,000 additional jobs, 850 study places, two recreation zones and various cultural facilities are to be built here step by step.
In order to become a modern, ecological and lively centre on the river, Lucerne North is to develop as a Smart City. A Smart City uses technologies, innovations and data to improve people’s quality of life, make the location more attractive for businesses, use the infrastructure more efficiently and conserve resources.
So far, Central Switzerland has lacked concrete examples of the smart city approach in an area development. Lucerne North is to become a first practical example with a pioneering character – with the simultaneous developments of the city of Lucerne towards a Smart City as well as possible cooperations on the way to a Smart Region Lucerne. The municipality of Emmen, the city of Lucerne, the canton, the transport association, the business development agency, companies, site developers and the population are involved in this networked approach.
The partners involved are convinced that the Lucerne North area is particularly suitable as a smart city, as there are an above-average number of innovative companies, investors and organisations on site and cooperation already works well.
Lucerne North is divided into six sub-areas. The adjacent areas of Seetalstrasse and Littauerboden are also part of the development focus.
Smartness has many dimensions The Smart City approach is characterised by six dimensions: “Mobility”, “Living”, “Economy”, “Environment”, “Governance” and “People”. In the Smart City dimensions “Living” and “People”, the participatory pilot project “Quartiereffekt” was a milestone in Lucerne North. It enables the population to finance and implement their own ideas for neighbourhood design. But exciting projects were also developed on a smaller scale, such as a smart box from which the population can spontaneously borrow balls, badminton rackets and other games free of charge via an app.
The “Offcut” materials market in the Reussbühl area pursues the goal of a circular economy by recycling residual and used materials, in line with the “Environment” dimension. The “4VIERTEL” development on Seetalplatz provides new approaches in the “Mobility” dimension and provides its residents with a mobility station with sharing vehicles such as e-cars, e-scooters, e-cargobikes and e-bikes. In addition, all car-free households receive annual vouchers for public transport, a bicycle service or the in-house sharing service.
In the “Economy” dimension, a new research cooperation for sustainable textiles was established in 2022 with the Viscosistadt Lab. It aims to realign the textile competences at the location in Lucerne North.
Viscosistadt is gradually developing into the creative part of Lucerne North.
Transformation in full swing The transformation of Lucerne North is in full swing. While some projects are under construction, important planning decisions have been made for others.
In Viscosistadt, a historic industrial building of the former Nylon-6 factory is currently being converted. This will create about 20,000 square metres of new space for office and commercial use. Right next door, the construction site for the “4VIERTEL” development is in the final phase. The first residents of Lucerne North will move in here from summer 2023.
Near Emmenbrücke station, 42 new flats will be built in “Gerliswil Central” by 2024. The Emmenbaum Nord building and the newly designed Schützenmatt district will give the area directly around Emmenbrücke station a fresh face.
An urban location with high density is being created around the new Seetalplatz.
The Rüüssegg housing cooperative’s development on Seetalplatz is about to receive the building permit for around 380 flats. Directly opposite the Kleine Emme in Reussbühl, 80 cooperative flats will also be built from 2024. The “Metropool” project of the Luzerner Kantonalbank and the cantonal administration on Seetalplatz are about to start construction.
The Reussbühl West area has a somewhat longer time horizon. The CKW site, which is used for commercial and industrial purposes, is to become an attractive and lively urban district in the coming years.
Even if no new flats have been occupied yet, Lucerne North is already alive today. Various temporary uses such as the cultural meeting place “NF49” (until November 2022) or the “Garage Emma” with studios for creative people, numerous events such as “Design Schenken” or the Swiss championship of bicycle couriers, cinemas and leisure facilities such as the “Adventure Room” brought around 105,000 visitors to Lucerne North last year. In addition, there are thousands of guests at the summer bar “Nordpol” on the Reuss.
What is data protection and what is not? There is no regulation on the handling of factual data, such as the use of defined data formats or specifications on data consistency in construction projects. Unfortunately, such a regulation is largely lacking today, ultimately to the detriment of property owners. The Data Protection Act (DSG) regulates the processing of personal data by private individuals and companies, among others. In principle, every person should be able to determine the use of their data themselves. Swiss data protection law is designed in such a way that the processing of personal data by private individuals is generally permitted, provided that the principles laid down in the FADP (e.g. purpose limitation, data minimisation) are observed. The revised FADP will enter into force on 1 September 2023. In a real estate cycle, there are numerous starting points for handling personal data. Some areas are highlighted below:
Marketing by estate agents Through their activities, estate agents come into contact with interested parties whose customer and personal data they process. Brokers are therefore now legally obliged to draw up a data protection declaration. In it, they must inform the data subject, among other things, about what data is collected or processed for what purpose, what the processing modalities are and what rights he or she is entitled to. The declaration can be published on the website or in the GTC. If tenant profiles are used for the sales process, caution is required. Either personal data must be blacked out or the tenants must explicitly agree to the disclosure to prospective buyers or the tenancy agreements contain clauses that allow the disclosure in the sales process.
Management data Data is often processed as part of the management process: Tenant checks before conclusion of the contract, user data on the operation of a property, data from access controls (outside the property or to the tenant unit), network data, electronic concierge or smart solutions offered by the landlord (such as tablets in rented rooms, smart homes, etc.). The DPA creates an obligation for every service provider to account for the data they process and to ensure that it is handled in accordance with the law. It is therefore recommended to conduct an individualised data protection analysis. Such an analysis must take into account, among other things, the specific circumstances and data flows, the type of data and service provision, as well as the storage locations. The tenants must be informed of all processing of their personal data, unless there is a corresponding basis in the tenancy agreement.
Offer abroad If offers for sale are also made to persons in the EU area, the provisions of the European Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) must be observed. These are much stricter in some points than the regulations of the DSG. If necessary, the use of geo-blockers should be examined.
Seidel & Partner Rechtsanwälte AG specialises in legal issues for construction, planning and real estate. Our focus is on value-added and solution-oriented support for SMEs, investors, cooperatives and authorities. We strive for economically sensible solutions; litigation typical of lawyers is only a last resort for us.
Der Kanton Luzern zählt immer mehr Studierende – die bestehende Infrastruktur auf dem jetzigen Campus Horw hat ihre Kapazitätsgrenzen aber bereits erreicht und einige Gebäudeteile sind zudem veraltet. Dank den Erneuerungen und Erweiterungen des Hochschulcampus in Horw sollen nach Fertigstellung ab dem Jahr 2029 rund 4000 Studierende und 1000 Mitarbeitende des HSLU-Departements Technik und Architektur sowie der Pädagogischen Hochschule Luzern Platz finden.
Die beiden Institutionen bleiben dabei eigenständige Organisationen mit einer je eigenen Identität und mit unterschiedlichen Kulturen. Der Campus lässt diese Diversität zu und ermöglicht eigenständige Auftritte. Trotzdem prägt ihn Gemeinsamkeit nach innen und aussen. Die gemeinsame Nutzung von Räumen und Einrichtungen, überschneidende und komplementäre Lehr-, Forschungs- und Dienstleistungsangebote sowie die zentrale Bewirtschaftung der Campusanlage basieren auf gemeinsamen Abmachungen und bewirken Synergien. Dadurch entsteht für die Pädagogische Hochschule wie auch Technik & Architektur ein qualitativer und ökonomischer Mehrwert.Geplant sind zwei neue Baukörper: Im Norden ein sechsgeschossiges Hauptgebäude der PH Luzern und im Süden ein siebengeschossiger Bau des Departements Technik & Architektur der Hochschule Luzern. Die bestehenden Trakte II, III und IV werden saniert und um ein Geschoss erweitert. Die leicht versetzte Anordnung der neuen Bauvolumen sorgt für eine spannungsvolle Gesamtkomposition auf dem Areal. Den Zuschlag für das Projekt erhielt das Architekturbüro Penzel Valier AG aus Zürich.
Die neuen Bauvolumen werden leicht versetzt angeordnet.
Die Architekten haben sich für eine Hybridbauweise aus Beton und Holz entschieden. Für die Erweiterung der Bestandesbauten sowie für die aussenliegenden Raumschichten der Neubauten soll unter anderem heimisches Holz zur Verarbeitung kommen. Dieses verleiht den Unterrichtsräumen eine angenehme und warme Atmosphäre. Die innenliegenden grossen Raumbereiche werden aus Recyclingbeton konstruiert.
Die Unterrichts- und Büroräume der beiden Neubauten entstehen rund um zentrale Atriumfiguren. Die Räumlichkeiten werden flexibel und an sich verändernde Bedürfnisse anpassbar gebaut. Die Atrien vernetzen die Institute der jeweiligen Schulen untereinander sowie mit den übergeordnet genutzten Sockelgeschossen. Diese sehen gemeinsame Nutzungen für den Gesamtcampus wie Bibliothek, Mensa, Audimax oder Campusaula vor.
Die rötliche Farbgebung der verschiedenen Fassaden-Elemente setzt die bestehende Tradition und Identität des Campus Horw fort.
Für die Realisierung des rund 365 Millionen kostenden Projekts sowie für den späteren Betrieb des Campus ist eine eigens dafür gegründete Aktiengesellschaft, die Immobilien Campus Luzern-Horw AG, verantwortlich. Die Realisierung ist ab 2026 vorgesehen. Die etappierte Inbetriebnahme ab 2029.
Der neue Campus Horw entsteht in Hybridbauweise aus Beton und Holz.
Modern, attractive homes today are intelligent. “Smart Living” is the buzzword, which means “dealing with digital technology that uses the networking of smart devices and functions to provide multiple applications and services. Smart living is more than a smart home.” The investor believes that smart living will be standard in the future.
User-friendliness and real-time energy display as an important requirement for residents Among the requirements were end-user needs such as simple, centralised operation of lighting, shading, indoor climate and access systems. In the case of energy, it should be possible to record consumption in real time and visualise it for residents.
More efficiency in building maintenance and management Requirements on the part of property management include the classic exchange of information and data with tenants and condominium owners. The provision of operating instructions and central access to consumption data for energy billing also lead to greater efficiency and cost savings in maintenance.
Cross-area energy and building management Cross-area requirements include the integration of the energy and building management system. It is not a question of individual flats, but of realising a development as a “smart city”, with continuous connectivity across all systems.
Central control of building functions with touchscreen or smartphone app With the building automation system from eSMART, building functions such as the video intercom, room climate, lighting or shading can be controlled centrally and in a user-friendly way via an operating panel/touchscreen or the smartphone app. The property manager can access consumption data and communicate with the residents via the touchscreen. In addition, the touchscreen displays the consumption of electricity, heating and water in real time, which positively influences the consumption habits of the residents and helps them to save energy and costs.
Communication via existing power line, without additional wiring Communication is via the existing power line and can therefore be integrated easily as well as cost-effectively and sustainably, both in new and existing buildings. Micro-modules are mounted directly behind the light switch, for example, and communicate via the existing power grid (powerline communication technology). Smart Living is a challenging, future-oriented task for all parties involved in the project.
In future, students at BFH-AHB will be able to deepen and broaden their studies in architecture, wood technology or civil engineering with an interdisciplinary minor. The minors “Circular and Sustainable Construction” and “Integral Digital Construction” are to be understood as minor subjects or small study programmes that provide students with an additional qualification. By choosing the minor, students set an individual thematic focus for their personal, specialised profile.
Interdisciplinary, forward-looking, networked A minor not only increases the individualisation of studies, but also the interdisciplinarity. In the minor, students from the disciplines of architecture, wood technology and civil engineering deal with a current topic in depth across subject boundaries. In exchange with partners from business, research and politics, they look at it from different perspectives. Together, the students from the three disciplines gain new insights and develop solutions for complex future challenges. Last but not least, they gain important experience in interdisciplinary cooperation.
With the minor, the BFH-AHB prepares students for the working world of tomorrow, because circular and sustainable construction as well as integral digital construction are becoming increasingly important. The collaboration of architects, wood engineers and civil engineers plays a central role here: together they can drive the digital transformation of construction and lead circular, sustainable building projects to success. Students deal with these future topics throughout their studies. In the minor, they delve into them and use the potential of collaboration to responsibly shape the world of construction.
The historic Schlössli Schönegg and its chalet on the Wilhelmshöhe in Lucerne have belonged to Stefan Muff, the main shareholder of the Axon Active Group, since 1998. Together with his brother Bruno, Muff renovated the building, which at the time was in great need of renovation, in close consultation with the monument preservation authorities. It then served as the headquarters of Endoxon AG, which developed technologies for digital maps and was sold to Google in 2006. Since 2008, the “Schlössli” has been the headquarters of the Axon Active Group, which is strategically positioned in the field of digital transformation. Axon deals with complex big data solutions for globally operating companies as well as digital ecosystems for diverse industries. Today, the group has over 750 employees at 18 locations around the globe. Currently, 50 people work at the headquarters – and the number is growing rapidly.
Muff had great visions for the Schönegg castle from the very beginning. He already planned for extensions when he bought the building. Today, the building can no longer meet the future requirements as a centre for providing digital services and for the planned research activities and the newly developed “DeepWorking” operating concept. For this reason, the newly initiated project envisages a supplementary new building as the “Axon Campus”, which is to serve as an innovation laboratory. This is intended to promote the interdisciplinary cooperation of various interest groups and ideas. The campus brings together stakeholders from education, politics, public authorities and business and lets them participate in forward-looking forms of society and business. At the same time, innovations can be experienced and tested in digital ecosystems. The environment is also intended to offer ideal conditions for start-ups, which is why the project has also been reported as the “Silicon Valley of Central Switzerland”.
Sketch of the planned extension.
To meet the demands of a modern campus, the future space must be open, flexible and multifunctional. A gross floor area of 1500 square metres is planned with about 150 workplaces. The project also includes a high-quality canteen with a production kitchen and a fully digital and multifunctional auditorium for 120 people with an adjoining bar area. The new building will be adapted to the special local conditions and the resulting hazard situation due to possible landslides and rock falls. Comprehensive slope protection is guaranteed by the new building. The changing mobility requirements are also taken into account: by means of rented parking spaces on the Gibraltarstrasse level and the installation of e-mobility compliant parking and bicycle spaces in the new building, which is estimated at 15 million Swiss francs. The approval process is still underway. Occupation is expected in 2025 at the earliest.
Thanks to the project by the renowned architectural firm of Daniele Marques from Lucerne, the Wilhelmshöhe place of power will increasingly become a house of encounter and digital transformation. Muff envisions the place developing into a holistic innovation location. A possible opening of the rooms at weekends for educational institutions or other curated events is conceivable.
Over 135,000 people live and work in the Reuss Valley. The region will continue to develop strongly, not least due to the booming working and living area of Lucerne North.
Floods cause major damage However, the Reuss currently poses a considerable flood risk. The current dams are over 150 years old – there is a risk that they will no longer withstand heavy floods. The floods of 2005 alone caused damage to buildings and public infrastructure along the Reuss and Kleine Emme rivers to the tune of 345 million Swiss francs.
With the project “Flood protection and renaturation of the Reuss”, the Canton of Lucerne aims to coordinate flood protection and renaturation measures and generate multiple benefits. It is intended to protect people, animals, infrastructures and goods, to ecologically enhance the Reuss and its watercourse and to maintain and increase the quality of life of the population.
Widening the Reuss protects against flooding The planned Reuss project provides for a widening of the watercourse at suitable points. This will lower the water level and thus provide flood protection. Higher dams would offer less protection than a wider Reuss, and a deeper Reuss would endanger the groundwater in the Reuss valley and thus the drinking water in Canton Lucerne. Where settlements and infrastructures limit the space needed for widening, existing dams are raised and shallow new dams are created in isolated cases.
The Reuss project is divided into five geographical sections. Specific protection and ecological measures are to be implemented on all of them.
Construction will take around twelve years The public launch of the project took place in autumn 2019. In June 2022, the government council approved the project, but due to appeals it is not yet legally binding. Therefore, the project will be delayed. After the legally binding project approval, the government council will apply for a special credit for the realisation of the project, which will be voted on by the population. The construction work for the project will take about twelve years.
As the Swiss Real Estate Offer Index compiled by the SMG Swiss Marketplace Group in cooperation with the real estate consultancy IAZI shows, condominiums were advertised at 1.0 per cent higher values in March. Single-family homes also saw an increase, albeit smaller, of 0.3 per cent. The number of single-family homes and condominiums advertised has increased in recent months, which would generally indicate an improvement in the tight property market. “However, we see that sellers of owner-occupied homes continue to assume a stronger willingness to pay for the time being, as the current increase in asking prices shows,” says Martin Waeber, Managing Director Real Estate, SMG Swiss Marketplace Group.
Flat hunters must expect higher rents As of the general moving-in date at the end of March, the average asking rents in the country have risen by 0.8 percent. Within one year, there has been an impressive increase of 4.6 percent. However, there are large regional differences in the development of rents: The strongest increase was in central Switzerland (2.2 per cent), especially due to the price drivers Zug and Lucerne. The increases in eastern Switzerland (1.1 per cent), the greater Zurich region (1.0 per cent) and the Lake Geneva region (0.9 per cent) are somewhat more moderate. There was hardly any change in the Central Plateau (0.1 per cent), while asking rents fell slightly in Northwestern Switzerland (-0.3 per cent) and Ticino (-0.3 per cent).
Particularly in the three large regions of Zurich, Central Switzerland and Lake Geneva, further price increases are to be expected in the coming months due to the existing housing shortage, ongoing immigration and the decision on the reference interest rate expected in June.
The cantonal development priorities were already defined in the 2009 cantonal structure plan. Even before the Swiss population approved the Spatial Planning Act, the cantonal planners had already focused on an increased spatial concentration of future economic development along the most attractive transport locations. Further planning instruments are available for the more decentralised locations, so that adequate business development is also possible there .
Integral spatial and economic development The coordination of settlement and transport is a central element in the further development of the cantonal development focal points (ESP). Only when infrastructures and growth are in good symbiosis will functioning areas be created in the long term. The optimisation of transport access is often the basis for ESP development. In addition to planning roads and railways, the Canton of Lucerne focuses in particular on promoting sustainable mobility, not least with regard to climate policy goals. The companies, for their part, are called upon to introduce a company mobility management system and to do their part to ensure that traffic can flow optimally.
Instrument for coordinated location promotion Thanks to its central geographical location and constant work on the most important location factors for companies, the Canton of Lucerne is particularly attractive as a business location today. Due to the close cooperation of the canton with the regions and municipalities in location and business promotion, the cantonal ESPs are the most important link to spatial planning. All development focal points should be provided with available, attractive land offers, combined with a promising marketing profile. The basis is laid in the jointly supported area management of the ESPs in cooperation with the landowners and investors.
Strategic working areas as a special offer Strategic working areas (SAG) are coherent larger areas that are defined in the structure plan. There are currently three such areas in the canton of Lucerne. They are between 10 and 30 hectares in size. This is a lot of space to realise big ideas and projects. According to the criteria formulated, their use is reserved for particularly high-value-added companies and real estate developments. The development of the sites is carried out in close coordination with the Canton of Lucerne and the respective local communities. The Lucerne Economic Development Agency acts as the first point of contact for potentially interested parties.
Lucerne city region
ESP Lucerne South Nestled between Lucerne, Horw and Kriens is a diverse settlement area with an urban character and directly adjacent recreational area. The ongoing transformation into an urban, creative and sustainable living and working area is in full swing. Lucerne South has excellent regional and national transport connections. The “Freigleis” bicycle highway is particularly popular as a work and leisure connection. www.luzernsued.ch
ESP Lucerne North The Smart City Lucerne North is where Emmen and Lucerne, the two most populous municipalities in the canton, meet. The urban heart of the ESP perimeter, which stretches from Littau railway station to Waldibrücke railway station, is currently being built around Seetalplatz, which is ideally accessible and picturesquely situated on the Reuss and Kleine Emme rivers. The largest ESP in terms of area offers a wide range of services for businesses and the population. www.luzernnord.ch
ESP Lucerne East The Lucerne East area comprises six Rontal municipalities. Directly connected to the A14 motorway and accessible by all means of transport, Lucerne East lies directly on the axis of the economic areas of Lucerne, Zug and Zurich. In addition to large industrial firms, internationally oriented companies in particular are located here. At the same time, the green hills of the region and the nearby water space of the Reuss River offer local recreation on the doorstep. www.luzernost.ch
ESP Lucerne railway station The world-famous postcardLucerne is the cultural and economic metropolis of Central Switzerland. The project of the century, the through station, will ensure Lucerne’s national and international accessibility in the long term and enable the expansion towards sustainable mobility in the entire metropolitan region. The city centre on the lake will take on a new character as new, unique urban development opportunities are created in the immediate vicinity of the station.
ESP Rothenburg Station This ESP, located in the north of the city region, is characterised by a high location quality and development dynamics and has great potential for further development. An overall settlement and transport concept is currently being developed in a cooperative process, which will form the basis for the future structural, transport-friendly and economic development of the area.
SAG Schweissmatt Inwil The largest of the three strategic working areas in the canton of Lucerne is located in the municipality of Inwil. The almost 30-hectare site is located in the immediate vicinity of the A14 motorway (main transport axis Lucerne-Zug-Zurich) and is in the process of being prepared under planning law for the settlement of a large-scale enterprise with high added value.
Sursee, Seetal, Willisau and Wiggertal regions
ESP Sursee The development of the city and region of Sursee into a modern small-town centre on Lake Sempach has been in the offing for decades. The town is also interesting as a business location. Over the years, numerous companies have settled here, benefiting from the perfect rail and road connections. With its inclusion in the agglomeration programme, the town of Sursee is about to take the next step in its development. From the working area in the north of the town, companies can reach their customers throughout Switzerland within a short time.
ESP Hochdorf-Römerswil Hochdorf is the regional centre of the Lucerne Lake Valley. The high quality of the landscape meets exciting companies here. Industry in particular has settled in the Seetal over the course of time. This has left its mark. Even today, the Seetal is still the region with the highest proportion of second sector companies. The large reserves of building land are a major advantage of the ESP and, in particular, its potential. A utilisation and development concept is currently being drawn up.
ESP Reiden / Wikon The municipalities of Wikon and Reiden are located on the border with Canton Aargau and have excellent transport connections with their own motorway exit to the A2. In addition to the north-south connection, the east-west connection A1 is also in the immediate vicinity. This location and also the industry- and fabric-friendly environment (the ESP borders residential areas at only a few points) make the ESP a highly sought-after location for companies.
ESP Willisau The pretty little town of Willisau is the regional centre of the Lucerne hinterland. Small and medium-sized commercial and industrial enterprises from various sectors have settled here. Competec Logistik (Brack) is a major newcomer to the area, and the company continues to expand in Willisau. There are still building land reserves, and urban development is underway on the former Wellis site. The spatial and utilisation vision for the Willisau ESP is currently being drawn up for its further development.
ESP Dagmersellen The Dagmersellen development focus has excellent transport connections. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the A2 motorway junction, the railway station is within walking distance, and there is also an industrial railway siding. The ESP is characterised by large industrial companies such as Pan Gas, Misapor, Emmi and Hiestand, and has a large range of warehousing and logistics facilities, especially through Galliker AG. The ESP still has potential for expansion.
SAG Honrich Sempach The strategic working area is located directly on the motorway. Nearby, the old Swiss fought for their independence in the famous Battle of Sempach. The profile is also independent. Where else can companies find 10 hectares of land with a lake view for development today? The Städtli, which was awarded the Wakker Prize, convinces with its high quality. There is one condition: the land is reserved for value-added companies and uses.
SAG Mehlsecken Reiden The location of SAG Reiden could not be more central. Situated between the cities of Basel, Bern, Lucerne and Zurich, it lies at the crossroads of the A2 and A1 motorways that cross the country. The Reiden motorway junction is right next to the site. The approximately 20 hectares of land offer strategic development opportunities for a high-value-added company that would like to take advantage of the favourable location and the high potential for the next big step.
After the pandemic-related online event two years ago, it was possible to shake hands again at the Bieler Kongresshaus. Well over 300 professionals took advantage of the opportunity to cultivate their network. The focus of the windays was on the trade exhibition and, above all, the exciting presentations.
Energy, ventilation, comfort In the first presentation, National Councillor Priska Wismer discussed how politicians want to make the Swiss building stock more sustainable. By 2050, it should consume only half as much energy as it does today. This will only be possible with a significant increase in energy efficiency, as the centrist politician explained.
Kristina Orehounig from Empa presented the great importance of windows for energy-efficient renovation. Her research clearly shows that building envelopes are not only important for energy efficiency in winter. Due to climate change, heat protection in summer plays an increasingly important role. This topic was also taken up by Julia Bachinger from Holzforschung Austria. She presented 10 golden rules that make “cool rooms through cool windows” possible. A central point here is correct ventilation, which is also important for many other areas, as Julian Wenzel (Maco) and Beat Frei from the engineering firm Frei Wüst Expert pointed out in their presentations. According to SIA 180, a ventilation concept is mandatory today. When asked who is responsible for this in renovations, Beat Frei replied: “The window installer, but he often doesn’t know.”
Window installation In the installation section, Michael Lerch from 4B showed that windows are getting bigger, heavier and more complex. Often, even the insertion of the elements on the construction sites is an elaborate challenge. Most of those involved are aware that installation does not work without perfect planning. But at least as important is the implementation, which depends heavily on the personnel deployed. Dominik Sieber (SFS) emphasised in his presentation that two thirds of complaints are directly or indirectly related to the installation.
One idea to simplify window installation is elastic bonding to the wall. Peter Schober reported on the investigations of Holzforschung Austria on this topic. With bonding, one can combine fastening, insulating and the connections on the outside and inside in one work step. However, specially modified adhesive systems and the corresponding application aids are needed. Peter Schober estimates that such systems could be on the market in two to five years.
Thechallenge of a lack of skilled workers Since the pandemic, the shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry has become even more acute. Tom Sahli, an expert in personnel recruitment, showed in his presentation that for many employees the values of a company are clearly more important than the technical issues of the job. The younger generation’s ideas have also changed significantly in various other areas. Basically, companies today apply to potential employees, not the other way around.
A panel discussion on the same topic produced some exciting approaches. Nicole Wenger, for example, described how her company, Wenger Fenster AG, now allows part-time work in all areas, including assembly. The company also employs people with disabilities.
Markus Stebler explained that at his company, Stebler Glashaus AG, peers from the future team conduct the job interviews. The HR managers join them later.
In his small company in Reitnau AG, Heinrich Hochuli relies on continuing to employ his own apprentice carpenters after they have completed their apprenticeship. As a representative of the Association of Master Carpenters, he also pointed out the projects that the VSSM is launching to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.
Human resources expert Tom Sahli recommended that companies continue to develop their existing employees. Due to the full order books and the lack of resources, this is difficult, but worthwhile in any case.
Sustainability Hansueli Schmid from Lignum spoke about the life cycle assessment of windows. Up to now, there has been little demand for precise values in window construction. However, this could change in the foreseeable future if ecological criteria become relevant when awarding contracts. BIM could act as a solution provider here.
The presentation by Gerald Feigenbutz, from the Quality Association for Plastic Window Profile Systems, also dealt with ways to more sustainability. His organisation is striving to further increase the proportion of recycled material in plastic windows. At the moment it is 25%. The decisive factor for the recyclability of the products is that they can be easily separated into the materials used at the end of their service life. This process must already be taken into account during development.
Digitalisation Two examples showed how much potential the use of simulations offers. Karim Ghazi Wakili from the Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH presented hygrothermal simulations of terrace connections. And the female duo Vasiliki Gkesouli/Julia Hauth presented the project “Glass rebate bonding for plastic windows”. They used FEM models and DIC technology for their development. This not only saved them a lot of time and money, they were also able to benefit from the high reliability of modern technology.
Nikita Aigner came up with an exciting practical example. Together with a team from BFH, he digitised and automated the renovation of windows in architecturally valuable buildings. The process begins with taking measurements at the construction site. Based on the data collected there, a robot can take over the tedious manual work of glazing and milling.
Outlook The windays are held every two years. The next windays will take place on Thursday, 3 April and Friday, 4 April 2025.
Under the motto “Get things done”, the Sustainability Days presented trends, concrete solutions in the form of innovative products and services as well as strategies and outlooks in the four congress and exhibition formats SmartSuisse, Re’ Summit, Future-Proof Infrastructure and MUT – Environmental Technology Exhibition during 28 and 29 March 2023. “We are delighted that the Sustainability Days, with their 15 thematic focal points around sustainability, have been so well received. In the future, our goal is to establish ourselves as the central platform for a sustainable future in the areas of smart city, corporate sustainability, environmental technology and infrastructure,” says Julien Rousseau, Brand Director of the Sustainability Days, with satisfaction.
Food for thought from national and international voices On 28 March, Marco Lambertini, Special Representative and former Director General of WWF International, was among those who kicked off the congress series with a total of over 170 speakers. He pleads for the initiation of a profound change of our economic model in order to become a nature-friendly society and to decouple development from environmental destruction. Keynote speaker and architect Thomas Rau also emphasises the need for change as quickly as possible. For him, one important way to do this is the circular economy. In his opinion, we have to rethink the value chain, towards a value preservation chain. In a finite world, material must be seen as something that is only used temporarily and then returned to the cycle of things.
The political perspective on the topic of sustainability also played a major role. For example, the Swiss city presidents Stefanie Ingold (Solothurn), Beat Jans (Basel), Michael Künzle (Winterthur), Barbara Thalmann (Uster) and Beat Züsli (Lucerne) discussed the goal of climate-neutral cities. There was agreement that climate protection in this context was not an alibi exercise. This shows, among other things, what measures and considerations are already underway or being considered. Cities certainly have a role model function, as they often have more resources at their disposal. Regula Rytz, former member of the National Council and President of the Green Party of Switzerland, took a look at the topic “Sustainable Technology: between real transformation and progress myths” as a historian. According to her, new challenges in environmental policy need new forms of sustainable technology – and it needs pioneering spirit for real transformation. In his keynote speech, Pekka Timonen, Mayor of Lahti, presented the success story of the traditional industrial city. This is how Lahti has become Finland’s leading green city and a pioneer among Europe’s sustainable cities.
Other keynotes and sessions focused on climate change as such. The Secretary General of the UN organisation WMO, Petteri Taalas, gave an impressive presentation on climate change and the associated climate catastrophes and future scenarios with a global impact. He said that action must be taken now if the worst effects of climate change are to be prevented in this century. And Prof. Dr. Reto Knutti, Professor of Climate Physics at the ETH Zurich and speaker at the Re’ Summit, organised jointly with sun21, shares this view. According to him, only a complete shift away from fossil fuels and net zero emissions before 2050 can limit climate change. The obstacles are not primarily of a technical and economic nature, but a collision of identities and the question of how to respond to the challenges. A new feature of SmartSuisse was the expansion of the main topics to include health, which met with lively interest. At the Health Podium, for example, experts from the field discussed whether health data is the new gold under the aspect of data security vs. data use.
Cross-sectoral meetings Another highlight was the networking dinner party on Tuesday evening. Over a three-course meal in a relaxed atmosphere, participants of all formats came together to talk to each other across sectors, to exchange ideas and to discuss. They were guided through the evening in an entertaining way by stand-up comedian and magician Michel Gammenthaler and by “The Blackouts”, who showed with their LED show how art and technology can be used to convey a message and inspire people. Also a guest was the Swiss adventurer and visionary Bertrand Piccard, who told of his round-the-world flight in a solar plane without fuel during his appearance. A pioneer in viewing ecology through the lens of profitability, he is now an advocate for renewable energies and clean technologies.
Concrete solutions to touch and try out The accompanying exhibition offered ample opportunity for professional exchange as well as networking. 72 suppliers presented their solutions and innovations and were able to make important contacts with visitors as well as other participants. “SmartSuisse is an important meeting place for SBB to exchange ideas with other experts, to further develop our projects and to generate new ideas. This is entirely in keeping with the Smart City Lab Basel motto ‘network, develop, test, experience’”, says Smart City Lab Basel, SBB AG.
There were also exciting things to experience at the exhibition: The exhibitor SAAM (Swiss Association for Autonomous Mobility) presented the teleoperated driving project initiated by SwissMoves as part of SmartSuisse and offered visitors the opportunity to ride in a vehicle controlled from Fribourg on a test track. Also part of the exhibition was the MUT – Environmental Technology Exhibition, which catered to the professional audience of the Swiss environmental technology sector. “The meeting of the cleantech industry at the MUT shows the need to promote ecological and pragmatic solutions,” says Andreas Knecht of Mokesa AG, which was an exhibitor at the Environmental Technology Fair.
Virtual discussion: sustainable infrastructure projects On 28 March, the Future-Proof Infrastructure virtually discussed the challenges that infrastructure projects have to face in order to achieve sustainability, such as financial and political resilience. For this, the virtual congress brought together key international stakeholders, investors and infrastructure experts. The discussions made clear that there is a huge inancing deficit in infrastructure investments in all sectors and that there is an urgent need to tackle climate change by improving sustainable infrastructure outcomes. Solutions for financing infrastructure were addressed by the FAST-Infra panel, among others, which aims to unlock private investment in valuable infrastructure. Also discussed was how project preparation institutions can bring to light important infrastructure projects in countries with limited access to financial and technical resources. The partner of the format is the Global Infrastructure Basel Foundation (GIB). The second edition of the Sustainability Days is scheduled to take place in Basel from 9 to 11 April 2024.
Of the 41 projects supported, 25 are business expansions and 16 are business relocations. Of the 16 relocations, 3 are from Switzerland and 13 from abroad. These include the Japanese company Epson, which has set up in the Marly Innovation Centre, and the Brazilian company Carob House in Fribourg. Among the expansions, the projects of Immomig in Düdingen and Wago Contact in Domdidier are worth mentioning.
Although the WIF devoted considerable resources to it in 2022, the Rolex project is not included in the figures in the annual report. The project will take shape in 2023 with the finalisation of the spatial planning and construction process and the establishment of temporary production and training facilities. This project of exceptional scope and quality will strengthen Fribourg’s industrial base and accelerate the canton’s competences in the fields of automation, robotisation and, more generally, Industry 4.0.
Olivier Curty, State Councillor for the Economy and Vocational Training, told the media conference: “Fribourg companies have demonstrated their resilience over the last few years and months, and neither the global pandemic nor the war in Europe can stop them from investing and creating new jobs. The canton of Fribourg is continuing its economic development successfully and vigorously
WIF Director Jerry Krattiger summarises: “The WIF has had a good year despite the difficult global economic context. After the Council of State defined the bio-economy and Industry 4.0 as the main axes of the cantonal economic development strategy almost three years ago, the Canton of Fribourg has successfully continued its positioning in these areas
New regional policy with 15 new projects Under the 2020-2023 implementation programme of the New Regional Policy (NRP), 15 projects were approved last year, with a contribution of CHF 1.35 million. These projects are divided into the following areas: Community projects (9), programme for mountain regions (3), tourism (2) and new themes (1).
Work has also started on the NIP implementation programme 2024-2027. Industry and tourism remain the two priority themes. New cross-cutting themes include the local economy, sustainable development and digitalisation. In addition to its usual activities to support the creation, establishment and development of businesses and its activities in the field of NRP, the WIF has finalised the last COVID business support package last year.
Courageous decisions and the resulting dynamism have shaped the development of Lucerne as a business location over the past two decades, with the KKL, which opened in 1998, serving as a symbol of change. In the course of this renewal, Lucerne expanded its university location and increased its fiscal attractiveness for residents and businesses.
After years of strong growth and economic prosperity, sustainability is now high in the zeitgeist. In addition to economic and social aspects, ecological issues in particular are given greater weight than in the past. In particular, the consideration of climate protection has become a real yardstick for the sustainability of business models. Companies must rise to this challenge and find the right balance between the business of today and that of tomorrow.
The canton supports global efforts in climate protection and aims to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. The Canton of Lucerne’s climate strategy invites the economy and businesses to work together towards this goal. A central lighthouse project is presented in more detail in this issue: the unique energy ecosystem in Dagmersellen.
In the areas of taxes, accessibility and education, the canton remains competitive through the planned revision of the tax law and the construction of two generation projects in the transport infrastructure (through station and bypass). Meanwhile, the expansion of the university locations in Horw and Lucerne will ensure that companies have access to the skilled workers they will need in the future.
Testimonials
Adrian Steiner CEO, Thermoplan AG “Thermoplan relies on Lucerne as a business location because you can find well-trained and loyal skilled workers in all areas here.”
Makoto Nakao President, GC International AG “Dental medicine in Switzerland is among the best in the world in terms of quality. Lucerne convinced us in terms of infrastructure, education and safety.”
Dr Ralf P. Halbach CEO, Geistlich Pharma AG “The attractive business location convinces people from all over Switzerland and abroad to move to Lucerne and work here. Experience shows: The advantages of living in Lucerne are a strong argument.”
Peter Ruppeiner CEO and Co-Founder, AVANTYARD LTD. “Lucerne is increasingly becoming a hotspot for personalities with innovative ideas and start-ups. An attractive location with a manageable size is perfect for quickly building a network.”
Until now, the planning and realisation of construction projects has been characterised by silo thinking. As a result, communication among the project participants and with the client suffered, good ideas were lost and the knowledge of the implementing companies was often not used. The real estate developer Steiner AG therefore relies on the forward-looking IPD methodology of project delivery. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a radically new approach that relies on close, collaborative cooperation between all key stakeholders from the outset and always focuses on the success of the project. This breaks down silo thinking (“best for me”) and replaces it with a common goal (“best for project”). The alliance partners not only share the risks, but also all participate in the success of the project.
Steiner AG is supported in the successful introduction and implementation of the new methodology by refine Schweiz AG, a company specialising in IPD and LEAN. In addition, Dr. iur. Wolf. S. Seidel of Seidel & Partner Attorneys at Law provides the necessary legal support for the “Zukunftspforte Menziken” project in drafting the new contracts.
Strong and reliable alliance partners Thanks to the IPD methodology, all project partners involved can improve their value creation. At the same time, they benefit from the fact that data is shared right from the start and communication barriers are broken down. The joint work in the co-location, LEAN planning, and the consistent use of BIM support the IPD methodology. For the “Zukunftspforte Menziken”, which was selected by Steiner AG as the first IPD project, the partner selection phase is largely complete.
The following alliance partners could be won for the project:
– General planning: GKS Architekten Generalplaner AG – Civil engineer: EBP Schweiz AG – HVACSE planning: HEFTI.HESS.MARTIGNONI Aarau AG – Electrical execution: Eniwa AG – Landscape architecture: Planikum AG – Shell construction: Leuthard Bau AG – Client / Development: Steiner AG
We are still looking for an alliance partner for each of the following
– HVAC execution – Construction management shell + finishing
Together with its agents, SBB intensively sought solutions for the elements that had prevented the start of several construction sites in December 2022. In addition, the FOT had requested clarification regarding the statics in October and issued a partial plan approval order for passenger flows where questions were still open. Over the past six months, numerous technical and political consultations have taken place to find sustainable solutions.
Solutions for the anchorages in the south of the station Additional information was requested for the new anchorages that reinforce the retaining wall and the statics of the south façade of the station. Test anchorages were built to check the geological conditions of the site. Now the dossier will be revised accordingly and submitted to the BAV for review in spring 2024.
Solutions for the basement of Bahnhofplatz The FOT has requested additional information on the structural analysis of the basement of Bahnhofplatz. The structural analysis and the dossier will be revised by the end of the year so that the FOT can examine them in 2024.
Solutions for the platforms and subways Aspects relating to the platforms and subways were objected to in the partial planning approval ruling. For this, the SBB project teams looked for improvements. In view of the increasing passenger volumes and services at Lausanne station, congestion-free and safe passenger flows represent a major challenge. In order to avoid the demolition of further buildings south of the station, perrons were defined for the project in 2012 that were narrower than ideal. Now SBB is planning wider platforms with more space for customers, partly due to the development of rail operations and the standards for track spacing in the station. At the same time, the new track geometry also provides the additional information required by the BAV with regard to structural engineering. Thanks to these improvements, Lausanne station can be used for longer without causing congestion.
The new project requires over 1000 new plans, technical reports and calculation documents. The entire track and platform geometry of the station must be revised. The SBB and its agents need 2.5 years to prepare the documents, the FOT 12 months to review and approve this partial dossier. First, the consistency of the overall planning is assessed, then the various sub-projects are continuously checked and approved, provided they meet the technical and legal requirements. With the approximately 12 months delay that the project already has today, the work should be completed in 2037, i.e. 4.5 years later than originally planned. The additional costs for the new planning will be analysed in the coming months.
New staging of the construction site The release of the planning approval dossiers in three phases leads to a new staging of the construction site. The planners tried to keep the burden on the customers as low as possible. The new planning also minimised the dependence on the metro project. Services at Lausanne station will be maintained during the work.
In February 2022, Halter AG acquired the Schützengütli site in Bischofszell with two areas of around 6500 and 1000 square metres. The property, which had served the Schiffli embroidery factory from 1907 and later the glass rectifier construction, passed into the ownership of the Laumann & Co. malt factory and fruit pressing plant in 1946. Essences and syrups were produced here until a few years ago. On 10 February 2023, the revised building and zoning plan of the city of Bischofszell came into force, allowing residential use with a design plan obligation on the site.
For a lively and attractive Bischofszell “With this site development in an intact neighbourhood, we will create attractive living space in a very well-developed location right next to the railway station,” says Rolf Zäch, project manager at Halter Entwicklungen, with conviction. “The development of the site makes a valuable contribution to an attractive Bischofszell.” Thomas Weingart, mayor of Bischofszell, is also pleased about the upcoming development: “The centre of our town continues to develop positively. The town council is pleased about that. We are particularly honoured that Halter AG, a well-known company, will be active in Bischofszell and can contribute its great experience in urban development.”
Harmonious integration into the neighbourhood and the city Around 50 owner-occupied flats are planned, for which the existing buildings will be removed except for individual elements. In a two-stage study contract, the aim is to achieve a high-quality site development that offers future residents a high quality of living and blends harmoniously into the surrounding neighbourhood. Taking economic criteria into account, an urban planning concept for the site will be developed, which will be followed by the architectural design in a second step. The study commissioning process already initiated by Halter Entwicklungen will start this spring.
A box of ice cream sticks, a tube of glue and creativity and intuition: that’s all it took to take part in Switzerland’s national bridge-building competition. The interest of the vocational schools from the three language regions was correspondingly great. The 64 participating trainees in the professions of draughtsmen and draughtswomen in the fields of civil engineering, geomatics, architecture, landscape architecture or spatial planning as well as carpenters constructed their bridge models in their free time and invested up to 100 hours in it. The competition is also increasingly popular with the FH students, who participated with eight teams and 21 participants. The bridge-building competition is organised by the VSS together with the engineering firm AJS.
The presentation of the bridge models in the congress centre in Biel showed the whole range of creativity of the students: From elegant and light to massive and heavy, inspired by classical forms or simply springing from free imagination, meticulously worked out to the last detail or rather improvised. Jean-Marc Jeanneret, President of the organising Association of Swiss Road and Transport Professionals (VSS), was also pleased with the huge variety of the models presented. For him, this competition, which has been established in many countries for years, has another effect that should not be underestimated, especially in the digital age: “When you assemble the construction ‘by hand’, you understand it in the truest sense of the word. Weak points become more concretely apparent than with static calculations or 3D models on the computer. In this way, learners gain a lot of knowledge in a playful way, which they otherwise often have to painstakingly acquire . That’s why this competition is also a good introduction to professional life.”
The highlight of the event was the resilience test, with which the most effective bridge was chosen. First crackling, then crashing and with much applause from the audience, the bridge models break on the test bench. The effectiveness of the bridge is rated according to the load-bearing capacity achieved in relation to its own weight. This evaluation formula rewards those who arrive at the most efficient solution with a minimum of material consumption – entirely in the spirit of a resource-efficient economy.
As in the previous year, the team from the ZHAW Winterthur solved this task best among the students. Their bridge carried a load of an incredible 1060 kg! The three students Pascal Lämmler, Fabio Schäfer and Naatan Lohrer not only won a cheque for 1000 Swiss francs, they also won the “maximum load” category and set a new record. A team also dominated in the apprentice category: the Wetzikon Vocational School with Valentin Voll, Pascal Roffler and Denis Bilgin won both the “most effective bridge” and the “maximum load” category (773 kg).
It is one of the big challenges in the upcoming NEST unit “STEP2”: a concrete staircase whose shape is reminiscent of a human spine. Although the unit is still in the planning stage, parts of the stairs have already been produced as prototypes. Because the unit pursues a great goal: only what has a future in the construction industry will be built. Together, the partners work consistently towards market readiness – and this is also the case with the staircase.
“Over the past two years, the project team has jointly developed a completely new concept for the production of customised concrete components. This was only possible because the experts along the entire value chain worked together at eye level,” says Enrico Marchesi, innovation manager at NEST and project manager of “STEP2”, with conviction. The interdisciplinary project team was put together together together with the scouting and incubation experts of the main partner BASF. It is made up of the architectural firm ROK, which is responsible for the project management, the ETH Chair of Digital Building Technologies, 3D printing experts from the BASF subsidiary BASF Forward AM and the 3D printing company New Digital Craft, experts from the precast concrete manufacturer SW Umwelttechnik, engineers from the engineering firm WaltGalmarini and the experts from the Empa spin-off “re-fer”.
Customised solutions The “STEP2” staircase impressively demonstrates how concrete structures can be realised with the help of computer-aided design and the latest 3D printing technologies. By using 3D-printed formwork, it is possible to create more complex shapes than with previous special formwork. At the same time, the amount of material required can be significantly reduced.
The process enables customised concrete solutions that can be optimally adapted to the respective application and have a high level of detail. In addition, it also holds great potential in restoration, for example in the renovation of historical buildings.
High complexity The design of the staircase comes from the ETH Chair of Digital Building Technologies. Based on this, the project team developed a complex, parameter-based formwork system for the individual steps, which is produced using 3D printing. “It was important for us to use digital fabrication in such a way that we can produce extremely filigree concrete elements. A key criterion for the system was the reusability of the formwork for the production of multiple steps. At the same time, we had to take into account the requirements of 3D printing and the material, as well as the conditions when filling the formwork,” explains Benjamin Dillenburger, head of the “Digital Building Technologies” team. In order to meet all these requirements, the exchange within the entire project team was of central importance.
“In order for the 3D-printed formwork to be used for several stages, we used a suitable coating. In terms of sustainability, we opted for a material that can be detached from the formwork again. This is the only way we can ensure that the material is separated by type,” says Jörg Petri from “New Digital Craft”. He and the “Virtual Engineering” team from “BASF Forward AM” brought their years of know-how in the 3D printing field to the project.
“For BASF Forward AM, the project is an important milestone in demonstrating that the materials used can withstand the high demands. It pays into our strategy to realise formwork using 3D printing as an alternative to conventional mould making,” says Anke Johannes, Director Sales Europe at BASF Forward AM. For the formwork material, the team chose Ultrafuse® PET CF15 filament because of its excellent properties for concrete formwork applications. In the end, the concept for manufacturing and assembling the formwork elements was ready.
The endurance test Now the time had come to turn the stairs into reality. SW Umwelttechnik produced the steps in its own factory with the help of the formwork. Ultra-high-strength fibre-reinforced concrete was used as the material. “Our concrete allows for very thin, complex shapes that could not be realised with normal reinforced concrete. It’s great that we can demonstrate this so impressively with the staircase in the “STEP2″ unit,” says a pleased Klaus Einfalt, CEO of SW Umwelttechnik.
The WaltGalmarini engineering office is responsible for calculating and assessing the statics. To check whether the calculated values correspond to reality, the steps were sent to Empa. There they were subjected to various load tests by Empa experts under the supervision of the engineering office. The first prototype consisting of three stages, which were all tested individually, largely fulfilled expectations and at the same time provided new findings for optimising the system.
In the subsequent prototype, not only the statics but also the construction of the staircase system was put to the test. Three steps were threaded on top of each other and clamped together using “memory-steel”, an innovative prestressing technique developed by Empa spin-off “re-fer”. In the process, bars of the type “re-bar R18” were placed in predefined cavities and mechanically anchored. The pre-stressing was done by heating with electricity. Afterwards, further tests were carried out to analyse how loadable the steps are individually and the system as a whole. The result: the engineers deemed the overall system reliable.
“I am very pleased that the staircase could not only convince on paper, but now also in practice. This represents an extremely important milestone in the project for us,” says Michael Knauss from ROK. With this “proof of concept”, the production of the final staircase can now take place – another important step towards the realisation of the NEST unit “STEP2”.
Today, real estate has to meet a multitude of requirements. As a significant driver of CO2 emissions in Switzerland, they play a central role in Swiss climate and energy policy. The requirements for economical and efficient energy use in buildings are correspondingly high. On the other hand, there are ever-increasing demands for safety and comfort on the part of the users – with a simultaneous reduction in the complexity of the application. One component for solving these sometimes seemingly contradictory requirements lies in the digital networking of sensors and devices in buildings.
Valuable partnerships as innovation drivers The cooperation with the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) in Dübendorf is proving to be an extremely valuable and fruitful partnership with regard to the development of intelligent and sustainable buildings. In the modular research and innovation building NEST, Empa develops and tests technologies, systems and materials together with partners from research, industry and the public sector.
Bouygues Energies & Services supplied prefabricated HVAC components as part of the NEST unit HiLo (“High Performance – Low Emissions”). Using Building Information Modelling (BIM), a factory and assembly plan including manufacturer’s specifications were created, allowing materials to be ordered directly from the model. In the NEST unit “Sprint”, Empa has successfully put circular construction and “urban mining” into practice. Recycled materials and components were used to create flexible office space in a very short time, while conserving resources.
In the field of predictive control, learning algorithms enable considerable energy savings compared to conventional, rule-based control algorithms, while at the same time increasing the comfort and user-friendliness of building systems.
Researchers from various departments of the HSLU have dealt with the question of how a high-rise building can be designed in a socially sustainable manner, the HSLU informs in a press release . Architectural, social and economic aspects were examined for this purpose. The researchers have derived planning and action recommendations from their findings. The interdisciplinary university project was funded by the Swiss Agency for Innovation Promotion, Innosuisse .
A sustainable high-rise offers “both a high individual and collective quality of life and has an eye on community life today and for future generations,” project initiator Alex Willener is quoted as saying in the statement. In order to meet these requirements, the building must be of use to both its occupants and those around it, promote social cohesion and also be economically viable, writes the HSLU.
In a skyscraper, people with different lifestyles and expectations live under one roof. The researchers recommend that these differences be taken into account as early as the planning stage and promoted in the completed building. In order for a high-rise to be accepted in the area, it should offer something for the entire district. Doctors’ surgeries, crèches or a neighborhood meeting point are given as examples in the communication. In order to be able to adapt the high-rise to changing needs, the researchers recommend making sure during construction that rooms can be combined or re-divided with little effort. hs
The Pini Group based in Lugano takes over the geotechnical company Geodata based in Turin. According to a press release by the Pini Group, both companies are characterized by the fact that they started out as family businesses and have developed into global players in the engineering sector. With this acquisition, its CEO, Andrea Galli, wants to “strengthen all the values that have enabled this company to write engineering history”. According to Pini, it enables access to the renewable energy sector, especially hydropower.
The company now has 700 employees. The acquisition will greatly accelerate the development plans of the engineering and consulting service provider, which was founded 70 years ago, and will strengthen its position “as a leading company in planning, construction management and consulting services,” the statement said.
Geodata is mainly engaged in the planning of underground and hydraulic works. The company was founded in 1984, has 16 branches in Europe, North and South America, India and Malaysia and is active in 20 countries. With this strategic acquisition, the Pini Group wants to benefit from the expertise of a company that has planned and supervised the construction of more than 4000 kilometers of tunnels and more than 3500 projects worldwide, according to the Pini Group.
The Feld school in Azmoos has won first place in this year's Constructive Alps architecture prize, the Federal Office for Spatial Development ( ARE ) reports in a statement . It represents Switzerland in the competition organized jointly with Liechtenstein. Constructive Alps recognizes sustainable building and renovation in the Alps. With the competition, the two countries want to promote the implementation of the Alpine Convention for the sustainable development of the mountain region.
The Feld schoolhouse was built on the site of the old schoolhouse in Azmoos. It offers space for more than twice as many children as the old school building on the same built-up area. The socially and ecologically sustainable timber construction also impressed with its own photovoltaic system, among other things.
The second prize was awarded jointly to the headquarters of the heating specialist ÖkoFEN France in Saint-Baldoph and the Ghiringhelli residential development in Bellinzona. Third place went to the renovated Falkenhütte in Hinterriss in the Austrian Karwendel Mountains.
Switzerland will hold the presidency of the Alpine Convention in 2021/22. The internationally binding agreement between the eight Alpine states and the European Union has set itself the goal of developing the Alps into a model region for climate protection and adaptation to climate change. Under the aegis of Switzerland, the focus was on climate, sustainable mobility, Alpine towns, sustainable construction and modal shift.
CKW investiert in der Agglomeration Luzern in mehreren Projekten in die Versorgungssicherheit und in ein weiterhin zuverlässiges Stromnetz. So erfolgte am 19. September 2022 der Baustart zur Verlegung der Freileitung zwischen der Unterstation Ruopigen und Oberwil in Littau. Die Hochspannungsleitung führt aktuell mitten durch Quartiere und über das Schulareal Rönnimoos. CKW verlegt die Leitung auf einer Länge von 1210 Metern in den Boden. Dank der Verlegung der Hochspannungsleitung wird das Gebiet Rönnimoos entlastet. Zudem ermöglicht sie der Stadt Luzern, das Gebiet Längweiher/Udelboden mit einer neuen Überbauung zu erschliessen und das Schulhaus Rönnimoos zu erweitern. Bis Sommer 2023 soll die aufwändige Verkabelung fertig sein. Danach erfolgt der Rückbau der bestehenden Freileitung.
Aus wirtschaftlicher Sicht wäre für CKW der Zeitpunkt für einen Ersatz der Hochspannungs-Freileitung noch nicht notwendig. Sie erreicht erst in gut 20 Jahren ihr Lebensende. CKW und die Stadt Luzern haben sich darum bereits 2019 in einer Vereinbarung auf einen Kostenteiler geeinigt. Die Stadt Luzern beteiligt sich mit 995’000 Franken an den Gesamtkosten von 3,2 Mio. Franken. Dadurch entstehen den Netzkunden von CKW keine zusätzlichen Kosten.
Während den Bauarbeiten wird die Luzernstrasse in Littau im Bereich des Schulhauses Rönnimoos zeitweise nur einspurig befahrbar sein. Die Stromversorgung ist gewährleistet.
Erneuerung der Unterstation Horw ist bald abgeschlossen Bevor die neue Leitung in Littau ans Netz gehen kann, muss die Erneuerung der Unterstation in Horw abgeschlossen sein. Sie ist ein wichtiger Knotenpunkt im CKWVerteilnetz und wird unter anderem von der Unterstation Ruopigen gespiesen. Aktuell erneuert CKW das Gebäude und einen Grossteil der Technik der Unterstation Horw. Zudem erfolgt an den bestehenden Transformatoren eine Spannungserhöhung von 50’000 auf 110’000 Volt. CKW investiert mit diesen Projekten rund 11,5 Mio. Franken in die Sanierungen und den Ausbau der Netzinfrastruktur. Sie stärkt damit heute und in Zukunft die Versorgungssicherheit in den Regionen Horw, Kriens, Littau und der Stadt Luzern.
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