immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Planning / Development

  • Research project promotes circular economy in the construction industry

    Research project promotes circular economy in the construction industry

    Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich(ETH) are working on the reuse of old building materials, according to a press release. In a project-based interdisciplinary course developed by Prof Dr Catherine De Wolf, prospective engineering students from fields such as architecture and computer science are looking for ways to recycle materials in the construction industry in order to save resources and use materials for longer.

    They apply their knowledge during construction site visits, workshops or in the workshop. The ETH researchers spend around 70 per cent of their time in the field. “They learn how to carefully remove materials from existing buildings, document them digitally, integrate them into new designs and finally realise them,” they say. The experience of dismantling a building and reusing this demolition material, which would otherwise end up in landfill, for new construction processes demonstrates “how sustainable construction methods can be implemented in practice”. In the Digital Creativity for Circular Construction course, teams work on realisable projects for external clients and users. Laser scanning, artificial intelligence and augmented reality are used to record the building fabric.

    The students’ work has been exhibited at the Kunsthalle Zürich, the Art Genève art fair and the Architecture Biennale in Venice and has been used by external clients and users.

  • Young adults help shape the future of a central area

    Young adults help shape the future of a central area

    In the municipality of Adelboden, young adults can contribute to the future use of the car park area. The municipality is organising a creative workshop in the Adelboden leisure and sports arena in cooperation with the Adelboden-Lenk-Kandersteg tourism organisation, Parkhaus AG and Hotel Adler AG to find ideas. On 19 June 2026, 80 young adults up to the age of 35 are invited to develop concrete proposals for a structural redesign. Interested parties can register until 5 June.

    According to a press release, approaches that go beyond the “classic planning logic” are in demand. The municipality is keen to make young people’s opinions on the future of their living environment visible. After all, “they make a valuable contribution to the long-term development of the village as a liveable residential and attractive tourist destination”. Before feasibility studies are commissioned, a “broad range of ideas” is required.

    Two options will be actively included and discussed in the “transparent, democratically supported” process: a panorama square with a view of the mountains and an adventure pool with existing development plans. There is also room for further and new concepts. The best project ideas will be professionally visualised, publicly exhibited and then examined in consultation with the local population and tourism stakeholders.

  • Federal Council wants to accelerate residential construction

    Federal Council wants to accelerate residential construction

    According to its communication, the Federal Council is examining measures to accelerate residential construction. With its report of 22 April 2026, it is responding to five postulates from the National Council and Council of States. It is part of the federal government’s housing shortage action plan. The Federal Council has instructed the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications to submit a consultation draft by the end of 2026.

    One of these measures should create the legal basis for a national interest in housing construction. Such a legal basis would then take precedence over, for example, the protection of the townscape or listed buildings. The Federal Council is also having the restriction of the right of appeal for private individuals and the admissible complaints examined. In addition, the procedural costs for objections that are proven to be an abuse of rights could be imposed on the objectors, namely if the objection is clearly aimed solely at preventing or delaying a project.

    However, the sovereignty for planning and building authorisation procedures lies with the cantons. The Federal Council can therefore only recommend that they introduce a digital authorisation procedure and set binding deadlines in order to speed up the process. The Federal Council also recommends that planning applications should only be published once they are complete. It also points out that many licensing authorities do not have sufficient staff or expertise to process complex dossiers.

  • One cape, one vision, 100 million francs

    One cape, one vision, 100 million francs

    Capo San Martino is one of the most spectacular lakeside locations in Switzerland. The headland south of Paradiso lies between two municipalities, has an eventful history and had been left to decay for years. When the property came up for sale, Constantin said he took immediate action. What has lain fallow for years is now to become a place to walk, linger and breathe.

    What is planned
    Around 100 beds, panoramic rooms, catering, wellness and a spa with a direct view of the lake are planned. The Lugano-based firm Mino Caggiula Architects is responsible for the design. For the architect, the aim is to revitalise a piece of landscape and history. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2027, with the opening planned for spring 2030 if everything goes according to plan.

    The hurdles are real
    Before a stone can be laid, the project requires a zoning plan amendment. This must be approved by the city parliament and the cantonal government. Historic pollution, environmental issues and public perception at such an exposed location can quickly become decisive influencing factors. Constantin is confident. However, observers describe the timetable as very optimistic.

    What the project means
    For Ticino, Capo San Martino is more than just a property project. It is revitalising the debate about Lugano as a high-quality tourism location. In a market that is increasingly focussing on international profile and quality of experience, iconic projects are a potential lever. At the same time, the pressure on all those involved is increasing. Spectacular images are not enough; viable concepts for operation, development and political acceptance are required.

    Lighthouse or castle in the air
    Whether Capo San Martino actually becomes a lighthouse project depends on more than 100 million francs. The project must prove that it can fit into a challenging topographical and political context. If it succeeds, Constantin will indeed write a new chapter for this place and Ticino will write a new chapter for its tourism.

  • The Sonnenhof is to reinvent Bülach’s centre

    The Sonnenhof is to reinvent Bülach’s centre

    The Sonnenhof site is centrally located between Bahnhofstrasse and Schaffhauserstrasse and covers a good 20,000 square metres. Today, the site is dominated by a shopping centre from the 1970s, other commercial and residential buildings and a large sealed car park. It is precisely this structure that is now to be fundamentally changed.

    The plan is to create a new, mixed-use district with a public passageway, green courtyards and squares, businesses, restaurants and a cultural and meeting centre. The existing shopping centre will not disappear, but will be modernised and integrated into the new structure.

    Urban densification
    At the heart of the project are around 240 rental flats in various price categories and with different floor plans. In addition, there are around 12,000 square metres for commercial, cultural and public uses on the ground floors and in the passages.

    In terms of urban planning, the project focuses on density and orientation. Four taller buildings will mark the site and give it a clearly recognisable address. The design plan allows for a maximum building height of 55 metres on the north-eastern corner. This shows how clearly the Sonnenhof will stand out from the previous scale.

    Open space instead of tarmac
    The message is particularly strong in the outdoor space. Where heat-retaining pavement dominates today, unsealed surfaces, trees, courtyards and climate-resistant planting will improve the microclimate in future. Rainwater will be able to seep away and evaporate, roofs will be greened and supplemented with photovoltaics.

    The project also aims to reorganise traffic flows. Most of the above-ground parking spaces will be moved to the underground car park, while paths and squares will be designed primarily for pedestrians and cyclists. Nevertheless, around 450 car parking spaces will remain on the entire site.

    Culture as part of the development
    The combination of property development and public use is striking. The planned KUBEZ cultural and meeting centre at Sonnenhof will not only be built, but will also create a regional meeting place for culture, education and leisure. The project is being developed in collaboration with the town of Bülach and neighbouring municipalities.

    This is what makes the Sonnenhof more than just a classic development. The site should not only provide living space, but also create a new centre that expands the everyday life of the town and strengthens the connection between the railway station, town centre and neighbourhood.

    A long road to the new centre
    Sonnenhof is still a planning project. the private design plan is due to be submitted in 2026, with approval scheduled for 2027. The first stage could start in 2029 and be completed in 2031, with overall completion scheduled for 2034 according to the project status.

    This shows the true scale of such projects. The transformation of a central site requires not only capital and design power, but above all time, procedures and political coordination. If Sonnenhof succeeds, Bülach will not simply gain new flats. The town will gain a new piece of urbanity.

  • The grid becomes Switzerland’s bottleneck

    The grid becomes Switzerland’s bottleneck

    By 11 votes to 0 with 2 abstentions, the Energy Committee of the Council of States adopted the amendment to the law to speed up the expansion and conversion of the electricity grids. The committee has thus made it clear that the expansion of the grid infrastructure should no longer be treated as a political sideshow.

    This is more than just a technical step. The Commission expressly emphasises the outstanding importance of a domestic, renewable energy supply and demands that the legal framework conditions finally reflect this importance. The electricity grid is thus being transformed from a companion into the strategic backbone of energy policy.

    Overhead lines before underground cables
    The Commission emphasises one key point. Transmission grid lines should primarily be realised as overhead lines. Underground cables remain the exception and should only be considered in special cases. However, this principle should not apply in construction zones.

    The political priority is thus visibly shifting towards speed and feasibility. The more complex the balancing of interests, the longer procedures take. This is precisely where the bill wants to start and streamline planning processes.

    More room for manoeuvre when replacing
    The focus on existing buildings is particularly relevant. In the coming years, a large part of the grid infrastructure will reach the end of its service life. According to Swissgrid, structural bottlenecks are already noticeable today and two thirds of the 6,700 kilometre-long transmission grid is over 40 years old.

    The Commission therefore wants to facilitate the replacement of existing high-voltage and extra-high-voltage lines, including on existing or directly neighbouring routes. This principle should now also apply to parts of the distribution grid above 36 kV. This is a signal with an impact. Not every grid expansion begins on a greenfield site. Much is decided by replacing the existing grid more quickly.

    The silent hurdle of the energy transition
    There is also a detail with a major impact. In future, transformer stations will also be possible outside the building zone under certain conditions if no suitable location can be found within the building zone. This also shows where the energy transition gets stuck in everyday life. Often not because of the strategy, but because of the land.

    The proposal therefore hits a sore spot. Switzerland has accelerated the production of renewable energy, but the grid is threatening to become a bottleneck. If procedures continue to take years, it is not a lack of ideas that will slow down the turnaround, but a lack of lines.

  • 10 million and then

    10 million and then

    On 14 June 2026, Switzerland will vote on the “No 10 million Switzerland!” initiative. It aims to keep the permanent resident population below 10 million in the long term and provides for additional measures from 9.5 million. The political focus is on immigration. However, the spatial effect could be much broader.

    After all, labour markets cannot simply be stopped at the national border. If companies continue to need skilled labour, but fewer people can or should live in Switzerland, the pressure on living and commuting areas close to the border will increase. This doesn’t just change statistics. It changes entire regions.

    The housing market is shifting
    The pattern has long been visible. In the Lake Geneva region, the labour market is growing strongly, while living space remains chronically scarce on the Swiss side. The result is an ever-increasing expansion of the metropolitan area towards France.

    The price difference explains the dynamic. In the canton of Geneva, asking rents recently stood at CHF 384 per square metre per year, while in France, which is close to the border, they were only CHF 190 to 260, depending on the location. The gap is even greater for residential property. In Geneva, asking prices are around 13,500 francs per square metre, in nearby France around 3,500 to 6,000 francs.

    When relief creates new burdens
    What is supposed to act as a brake for Switzerland can additionally fuel border regions. More cross-border commuters mean more demand for housing outside Switzerland, higher prices in neighbouring communities and growing pressure on schools, transport and municipal services. Voices from Haute-Savoie are already warning of precisely this.

    In terms of infrastructure, this is not a minor issue either. New transport services such as the Léman Express have made cross-border commuting much easier and triggered new development dynamics around the stops. The area is not growing any less. It is just growing differently.

    What this means for locations
    This is a tricky truth for location policy. Growth does not disappear just because you want to put a political cap on it. It seeks new paths via commuter axes, residential locations and functional economic areas.

  • 2000 jobs are on the line in Wettingen

    2000 jobs are on the line in Wettingen

    Wettingen has moved to the centre of an economic policy decision. The Aargau cantonal council wants to amend the structure plan in the Tägerhardächer area and thus create the planning conditions for a possible Hitachi Energy campus.

    This is a big step. Because it is not just about a single building project. It is about the question of whether Aargau can retain and at the same time expand its industrial substance. In the best-case scenario, around 1000 existing jobs will remain in the canton and up to 2000 new jobs could be created.

    Why Tägerhardächer
    The location is no coincidence. Hitachi Energy is looking at several options for expanding its capacities and relocating current jobs. The Tägerhardächer area is one of the favoured options.

    From a location promotion perspective, there are many arguments in favour of Wettingen. The site is located in the Zurich, Limmattal and Baden area, has good transport links and enables a coherent, expandable campus solution. It is also close to an existing cluster of companies from the energy sector. This increases the appeal of the location far beyond the municipal boundaries.

    The price of progress
    Wherever development becomes possible, conflicts arise. 10.7 hectares of settlement area would have to be designated for the project. The area is currently located in an agricultural area and is partially overlaid by a settlement separation belt.

    This is precisely where the criticism arises. In the consultation process, the loss of cultivated land, the reduction of crop rotation areas, encroachment on the settlement separation belt and traffic issues were criticised in particular. Nevertheless, the cantonal government maintains that the project is appropriate and spatially harmonised from a cantonal perspective. At the same time, attempts should be made to upgrade agricultural land elsewhere so that the loss remains limited.

    The region is thinking further ahead than the
    factory buildingThe    decisive factor now is whether growth and quality of life can go hand in hand. After all, a campus of this size not only has an impact on the labour market. It changes traffic flows, settlement areas and expectations of the infrastructure.

    That is why accessibility should not only work for cars. Public transport as well as pedestrian and cycle connections should be designed in such a way that the impact on neighbouring communities remains as low as possible. This is more than just background music. It is a prerequisite for economic dynamism to be accepted regionally.

    Nothing has been decided yet
    The political will is visible. Wettingen and Baden Regio also support the amendment to the structure plan. However, the company has yet to make a final decision on the location. If it decides against Wettingen, the corresponding resolutions will become null and void.

    This is the real message of this dossier. The future does not just fall from the sky. It must be planned, politically supported and regionally balanced. Wettingen now has the chance to prove just that.

  • Residential complex to be sustainably renovated and extended

    Residential complex to be sustainably renovated and extended

    The Schlieren-based real estate and construction company Halter is transforming the Clochettes site in the Champel district of Geneva. As part of the project, Halter was commissioned by Baloise to carry out the energy-efficient renovation, conversion and addition of storeys to three residential buildings from the 1970s. According to the press release, a total of 70 existing apartments will be modernized by January 2029 and 15 new apartments will be created by adding two more floors. The work will start in May and will take place while the apartments are occupied.

    As part of the refurbishment, Halter will replace the technical systems and refurbish the façades. Heat recovery and the installation of photovoltaic systems are also planned, according to the project description. The aim is to obtain a Minergie renovation label.

    The architectural design by the Grenier Coretra architecture firm maintains continuity with the existing buildings and harmonizes with the neighbouring residential complex. The new apartments will offer a variety of floor plans and room concepts tailored to modern living.

    New areas for residents and neighborhood-related uses will be created on the first floor of the buildings. The outdoor areas will also be enhanced with wooded areas to promote quality of life and biodiversity.

  • Spreitenbach municipal council adopts property strategy

    Spreitenbach municipal council adopts property strategy

    The Spreitenbach municipal council has adopted a new strategy for municipal properties, as detailed in a press release. The property strategy is of central importance for both the residents’ and the local citizens’ municipality. The decision serves as the basis for the medium to long-term development of publicly owned properties.

    The aim is to manage the municipality’s own property portfolios holistically rather than in isolation according to individual properties. The municipality of Spreitenbach expects this to lead to better harmonisation of the long-term needs of the population, school, administration, associations and other users.

    According to the press release, the new strategy is particularly relevant for the municipality of Spreitenbach, which as a public corporation has a portfolio of 69 properties and five developed building rights plots, in view of upcoming investment decisions. In the coming years, the focus will be on the further development of the school and sports infrastructure, the renovation and expansion of existing facilities, securing additional space for school administration and day-care centres and the development of a municipal park, among other things.

    The local community should also benefit from the holistic approach. It manages a portfolio of 130 properties with a land area of around 2.77 million square metres and a building insurance value of around CHF 13.6 million. The strategy focuses on the areas of housing, the local museum, building rights in the industrial area, agriculture and forests.

    The property strategy is to be reviewed at least every five years and adjusted if necessary. The planning horizon currently extends to the year 2040.

  • Research project promotes the reuse of concrete in construction

    Research project promotes the reuse of concrete in construction

    The Materials and Structures Group of the Institut du patrimoine construit, d’architecture, de la construction et du territoire(inPACT) at the Haute école du paysage, d’ingénierie et d’architecture de Genève(HEPIA) is leading the Concrete Upcycling Techniques(CUT) research project. The project, led by Professor Maléna Bastien Masse, aims to integrate the reuse of concrete slabs into construction practice, as detailed in a press release. The aim is to reduce the industry’s CO2 footprint. The project is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation(SNSF) and is being carried out in collaboration with Professor Corentin Fivet’s Structural Xploration Lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne(EPFL).

    The project aims to preserve concrete slabs during the demolition of buildings. The slabs are sawn up on site and then analysed by HEPIA researchers. The aim is to find out whether these slabs can be reused. The panels approved for reuse are then used in new buildings. The project is also investigating how they can be joined together during reuse. Advanced techniques and materials such as high-performance fibre-reinforced cementitious composite (CFUP) will be used.

    “The construction industry loves concrete. It is an indispensable, versatile, adaptable and cost-effective material, but it is also extremely harmful to the environment. One solution is obvious: reuse,” reads the press release. “By recovering and reusing components from existing buildings for new construction projects, concrete consumption is reduced, resulting in a lower CO2 footprint.”

    HEPIA is a Geneva-based university that specialises in education and research in the fields of engineering, architecture and the environment, particularly in the areas of materials and sustainable construction. The university is part of the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland(HES-SO).

  • Fuel cells to support power grids

    Fuel cells to support power grids

    Researchers from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology(Empa) have conducted a joint project on the effect of hydrogen fuel cells in collaboration with the Hälg Group from St.Gallen, the Osterwalder Group, also based in St.Gallen, and Zurich-based H2 Energy AG. The experiment at the Empa Center in Dübendorf showed that the electrical energy generated by the fuel cells could relieve the burden on local power grids in district centers, according to a press release.

    The core of the project was to reduce the electricity consumption of heat pumps by producing electrical energy from local district energy cells using hydrogen fuel cells. This energy is fed into the grid to operate the heat pumps, thus reducing the load on the grid. At the same time, the experiment tested using special heat exchangers to supply average temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius to the heating network of the NEST innovation building and the Empa campus in Dübendorf. The test, which ran from October 2023 to September 2025, showed that the district energy cells were able to smooth out peaks in electricity consumption and reduce the overall cost of peak load by 10 percent.

    “Our trials showed that fuel cells can effectively balance electrical and thermal peak loads in buildings. This made it clear that hydrogen-based peak load shaving is technically feasible and provides valuable insights for the control of complex energy systems,” Binod Prasad Koirala, Deputy Head of Empa’s Urban Energy Systems research department, is quoted as saying in the press release. When using green hydrogen, the fuel cells also make a contribution to reducing CO2 emissions.

  • New development combines residential, commercial and local services

    New development combines residential, commercial and local services

    According to a press release, Schlieren-based Halter AG completed the AuPark plannmässig development at the end of March and handed it over to the client Swiss Life Asset Managers. The project involved the construction of five apartment blocks and commercial buildings with views of Lake Zurich and the Au peninsula.

    The AuPark development comprises a total of 300 flats, including 111 condominium units, according to the project description. There will also be commercial space and a Coop, which will serve as a local supplier for the neighbourhood. The eponymous AuPark lies at the heart of the project and serves as a central meeting point and recreational space for the residents with extensive lawns.

    “As part of our total contractor services, the project was specifically densified and the housing mix optimised,” the company said in the press release. “The result: a sustainable, marketable development with a high quality of living – including in the affordable housing segment.”

  • One million square meters new start for Lugano

    One million square meters new start for Lugano

    The Nuovo Quartiere Cornaredo is located to the north of the city center and is being developed as a new gateway to Lugano. The inter-municipal project, which Lugano is supporting together with neighboring municipalities, is intended to fundamentally reorganize the urban space. Housing, services, retail, leisure and an upgraded public space form the backbone of the project. Not a dormitory district, but an urban hub with everyday functions and economic dynamism.

    Where football and urban development meet
    The PSE with stadium, sports hall, administration and parking areas is being built in the same area alongside the residential and commercial areas. Construction site B1a alone covers around 55,000 square meters with mixed uses, buildings of different heights and commercial and tertiary facilities. This will make Cornaredo one of the most important real-world laboratories for urban development in Ticino. Rarely do sports and event infrastructure, private building construction and public space come together in such a small area.

    Complexity as a program
    The project is not an isolated real estate project. It is a transformation system in which urban planning, road space, public transport and private construction projects have to be coordinated. Delays, appeals and political debates are not the exception, but part of the process. This is precisely what makes the project so relevant for investors, developers and planners. It shows how difficult and valuable it is to develop large sites in topographically sensitive areas.

    A benchmark for Ticino
    Cornaredo is strategically central for Lugano. This is where the city’s approach to growth is decided. Densified, networked and functionally diverse or still small-scale and traffic-heavy. If the implementation succeeds with planning quality and a mix of uses, Cornaredo will be no ordinary district, but a reference project for the next development phase of the entire canton. Southern Switzerland is keeping a close eye on what is being created in the north of Lugano.

    What is still missing
    The real touchstone lies ahead of Lugano, not behind it. Ensuring planning quality over the years, bundling private and public investment and creating a reliable realization perspective. These are the three tasks by which Cornaredo will be measured. The course has been set. The next phases of development will show whether the project delivers what it promises.

  • Bellinzona dares to undertake a major renovation

    Bellinzona dares to undertake a major renovation

    There are hardly any inner-city transformation areas of this size in Switzerland. The FFS site in the heart of Bellinzona offers an opportunity that cities such as Zurich and Basel have long since lost. The new district will not be built on a greenfield site, but will interweave the historic city with the area around the railroad station and new development zones. Mixed use, biodiversity and generous open spaces are at the heart of the master plan.

    The international competition was won by the team sa_partners, TAMassociati and Franco Giorgetta. Their design breaks up the previously closed industrial area and organizes it around the “Almenda”. A 6.4 hectare central green space that structures the entire district as an ecological and social backbone. The listed “Cattedrale”, which has been a maintenance site for locomotives since 1919, will be retained as an identity-forming focal point and will become the anchor building of the new district.

    Innovation at the heart of
    The district will also be home to the Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino in future. The park was officially recognized as the location of the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich in November 2024 and is supported by USI, SUPSI, BancaStato, the Ticino Chamber of Commerce and the employers’ association AITI. From 2032, the park and its headquarters will move to a 25,000 square meter area within the new quarter.

    Three competence centers are already active: Swiss Drone Base in Lodrino for drone technology, a hub in Bellinzona for life sciences and a location in Lugano for lifestyle tech. Together with postgraduate training courses offered by USI and SUPSI, an innovation cluster with supra-regional appeal is being created. Bellinzona is thus positioning itself as a location between administration, technology and urban quality of life and as a serious alternative to the major Swiss technology hubs.

    Setback in fall 2025
    The path is not clear. In October 2025, the cantonal administrative court annulled the municipal council’s detailed development plan from April 2023. The financial aspects were insufficiently explained, in particular the costs for the acquisition of public land and the remediation of contaminated sites, which are estimated at CHF 30 to 50 million. The planning process will have to start from scratch.

    At the same time, construction work is already underway on the new FFS plant in Arbedo-Castione, a major project costing CHF 755 million that is scheduled to open in 2028. The site will only become available once Officine has relocated. The first realization phase is expected to start between 2030 and 2035 at the earliest, and the overall transformation is likely to take 20 to 40 years. The time pressure is real and the complexity is high.

    Model for central Switzerland
    Porta del Ticino shows how medium-sized centers beyond the metropolitan areas can deal with large industrial sites. Not monofunctional overbuilding, but development as an urban transformation space with a long-term regional impact. What is being created in Bellinzona can be a benchmark for other cities of the same size. From Aarau to Chur, from Schaffhausen to Sion.

    The next few years will determine whether the planning quality can be secured for years to come, whether investments can be bundled and whether the vision can be translated into a resilient realization perspective. The real test has only just begun.

  • The city shapes the traffic and the traffic shapes the city

    The city shapes the traffic and the traffic shapes the city

    Researchers from ETH Zurich and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have correlated geoinformation data from 30 major cities worldwide with traffic congestion data. For the first time, they were able to demonstrate not just correlations, but genuine cause-and-effect relationships between urban changes and traffic flow. The study was published in April 2026 in the journal “Nature Communications”.

    Three factors, one traffic jam
    The research team led by first author Yatao Zhang distinguished three dimensions. The structure of the road network, the spatial form of the city and the function of individual areas, i.e. whether people live, shop or work there. Surprisingly, it is not only the road network that determines the flow of traffic. An urban sprawl structurally generates more traffic. The concentration of leisure activities in a neighborhood drives up weekend traffic. Mixed-use developments, on the other hand, bring living and working close together, shorten commuting distances and reduce the volume of traffic. “Traffic is created by what people do, not just by the existence of roads,” Zhang sums it up.

    Singapore versus Zurich
    An international comparison shows major differences. In Singapore, residential areas are clearly separated from the service center and structural changes have a direct impact on commuter flows. In Zurich, this link is much weaker because apartments are spread across the entire city and commutes are shorter and more diverse. Such differences can now be systematically measured and compared for the first time.

    What this means for planning
    ETH Professor Martin Raubal, who supervised the study, sees great potential for urban and transportation planning. The new method makes it possible to forecast how an intervention, such as the construction of a large shopping center, will affect traffic in the medium term. Cities could use it to better simulate measures before they are implemented. However, more in-depth detailed analyses are still needed before concrete recommendations can be made in Zurich or other cities.

    Data from open sources
    Open Street Map was the main source of data, supplemented by traffic congestion data from Here Technologies, which is updated every five minutes worldwide. For Los Angeles alone, the congestion values of over 18,000 road sections were included in the analysis. The fact that such a study is based on publicly accessible geodata makes the approach reproducible and scalable.

  • Zurich bundles economic development in one law

    Zurich bundles economic development in one law

    The road was long. The Department of Economic Affairs has been developing the legal basis since 2020, the consultation process began in 2022 and the Cantonal Council approved it by 114 votes to 59 in the fall of 2025. On April 30, 2026, the cantonal government put the Location Promotion and Business Relief Act into force on July 1, 2026. What was previously piecemeal now has a clear legal home.

    What the law bundles together
    The law brings together six central areas of responsibility under one roof: location development, strengthening innovative capacity, supporting established companies, attracting new businesses, location promotion and external economic relations. At the same time, the previous law on administrative relief will be repealed and fully integrated. This will put an end to a double-track race between two separate sets of regulations.

    The pressure behind it
    Energy shortages, a lack of skilled workers, the OECD minimum tax and the unresolved relationship with the EU are putting pressure on Zurich as a business location. Legally enshrined location promotion should increase the canton’s ability to react and ensure that measures can be implemented quickly and in a targeted manner. The law also provides a basis for the canton to quickly participate in federal crisis support programs.

    Business relief as the centerpiece
    The previous coordination office will be upgraded to a specialist office for business relief. In future, it will systematically examine all new and amended cantonal laws and ordinances for their impact on companies. The so-called regulatory impact assessment has a clear objective: business-friendly regulations and digitally processed enforcement that saves time and effort.

    Zurich as a role model
    Zurich is thus positioning itself as a canton that does not leave economic competitiveness to chance. Carmen Walker Späh, Director of Economic Affairs, played a key role in shaping the law, which is one of the last major projects of her twelve years in office. It will be launched on July 1, 2026, when Walker Späh is already completing her year as President of the Government.

  • Cross-border heat supply moves closer to reality

    Cross-border heat supply moves closer to reality

    The Basel-based utility company IWB and Stadtwerke Weil am Rhein are examining the options for a joint, cross-border heat supply. A feasibility study has already demonstrated the technical feasibility of supplying the city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg with heat from Basel from mid-2028, according to a press release.

    The feasibility study has been running since May 2025 and the companies have been sounding out potential consumers for their interest in such a heating network since March 2026. The heat required in the area between the Rhine and the A5 motorway would be supplied by IWB, which should already be 80 percent CO2-neutral by the time of delivery. Once the results are available by the middle of the year, a decision will be made on realisation and possible investment plans, according to the press release.

  • Research project develops global corrosion index for construction applications

    Research project develops global corrosion index for construction applications

    Sky-Frame from Frauenfeld and the WITG are jointly investigating whether a global corrosion index can be developed on the basis of available weather and climate data. This project is being supported with an innovation cheque from Innosuisse. The maximum funding amount of CHF 15,000 from the Swiss Innovation Agency is a credit for a preliminary study. It enables ideas, idea studies and analyses of innovation and market potential to be commissioned from a Swiss research partner and collaboration with this partner to be tested.

    The WITG is contributing its expertise in corrosion and the evaluation of material properties to the project with Sky-Frame. According to a press release, the first step involves linking real project locations with available climate databases and systematically analysing existing empirical values from the application. Taking into account factors such as proximity to the sea, wind direction and project-specific microclimate conditions, this will result in an initial, scientifically sound approach to risk classification.

    “This project is an example of how innovation ideas do not have to be in the realm of ‘rocket science’ in order to be funded,” says the WITG. Instead, they should offer the company a sustainable benefit and future added value and include a risk component during implementation and thus the possibility of failure.

  • Infrastructure project boosts efficiency and safety in flight operations

    Infrastructure project boosts efficiency and safety in flight operations

    Construction of new infrastructure for general aviation in the West Zone at Zurich Airport began on 14 April. Plans include a terminal building with a hangar and a dedicated apron area. According to a press release, the facility is scheduled to open in spring 2028.

    The new facility is designed to accommodate larger aircraft types and will also provide space for passenger handling and offices. Its proximity to the heliport is also expected to reduce transfer times. In addition, car parks for staff and passengers will be built, along with access via an extended Rohrstrasse.

    Flughafen Zürich AG is investing around CHF 100 million in the project. The new building is part of the development of the approximately 16.8-hectare Zone West, which is earmarked for apron extensions, logistics, and aircraft and airport maintenance, amongst other things.

    With the new building, the airport is responding to changing requirements in the field of general aviation. The existing infrastructure in the east has reached the end of its life cycle and can no longer meet the demand for hangar space, particularly for larger aircraft.

    Furthermore, the project is linked to the planned runway realignment at Zurich Airport. This is intended to reduce the number of runway crossings by landing and taking-off aircraft, thereby enhancing flight safety.

  • Ticino at a glance – opportunities, pressure and dynamics

    Ticino at a glance – opportunities, pressure and dynamics

    The canton, with around 360,000 inhabitants, 100 municipalities and an area of 2,812 square kilometres, has positioned itself as a research and innovation-oriented region. In the EU’s Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2025, Ticino ranks 6th out of 241 European regions, just behind Zurich in Switzerland. According to BAK Economics, the cantonal GDP grew by 0.6 per cent in 2024. An increase of around 1.1 per cent is expected for 2025. The unemployment rate as at January 2026 was 3.3 per cent, slightly above the Swiss average of 3.2 per cent.

    This development is important for the property industry because innovation alone does not guarantee a location’s attractiveness. The decisive factor is whether research, entrepreneurship and urban quality come together spatially. With USI, SUPSI, the Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino and the Boldbrain accelerator, the canton has a solid innovation infrastructure. At the same time, the construction industry and market development are under pressure. Construction output fell by 0.2 per cent across Switzerland in December 2025, with an above-average decline in Ticino. Rising construction costs, political uncertainties and complex authorisation procedures are exacerbating the pressure on supply and project calculations in the medium term.

    The property market presents a varied picture. The vacancy rate in Ticino fell from 2.08 per cent in 2024 to 1.92 per cent in June 2025, the sharpest decline of all the major regions, but still almost twice as high as the Swiss average of 1.0 per cent. At the same time, asking rents fell by 5.6 per cent in 2024/2025 according to ReMPA. The only region in Switzerland to see a decline, while the national average rose by 2.4 per cent.

    The spatial structure remains a challenge. Lugano with 63,600 inhabitants, Bellinzona with 45,300, Locarno with 16,400 and Mendrisio with 15,100 form different sub-regions with their own profiles. Topography, scarce space and demographic pressure also play a role. The FSO forecasts a decline in the labour force of 45,000 people by 2050. The approximately 78,800 cross-border commuters support the labour market, but their number has fallen slightly for the first time. Against the national trend of 411,000 cross-border commuters throughout Switzerland. If you want to invest in Ticino, you won’t get far by simply analysing from afar from Zurich or Basel. You need local partners, market knowledge and an understanding of the specific sub-regions.

    At the same time, this mixed situation offers potential. The proximity to northern Italy, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the role as the southern portal of the Gotthard corridor and the high quality of life. At 85.2 years, Ticino has the second-highest life expectancy in Europe, creating conditions that are rarely found elsewhere. If innovation strategy, land policy, mobility and project development can be coordinated more closely, Ticino can significantly strengthen its position as an economic and property region. It is not whether the potential is there, but how consistently it is translated into reality.

  • BIM and digital twins the digital partners of buildings

    BIM and digital twins the digital partners of buildings

    BIM, Building Information Modelling, replaces static 2D plans with a shared, digital building model in which architecture, technology and costs interact in real time. All components are recorded as BIM objects with dimensions, services, prices, warranty and maintenance information, from the brickwork to the door, from the sensor to the pump.

    Instead of sending plans back and forth, everyone involved works in the same 3D model, recognises collisions early on and experiences the building virtually before the first excavator rolls in. This reduces the risk of errors, makes deadlines easier to plan and lays the foundation for clear budgets instead of later addenda.

    From the BIM model to the building twin
    The digital twin is created from the BIM model during operation. The building twin, which takes over up to 95 per cent of the planning information and links it with live data from the building. It forms the “single source of truth” for areas, technology and sensors and visualises performance, occupancy and comfort levels in real time.

    Cloud-based building twin platforms enable buildings to be monitored virtually, scenarios to be simulated and new applications to be scaled quickly, from energy monitoring to user-centred service suites with AI analytics. This transforms the rigid plan into a learning system that evolves with the requirements of operators, tenants and cities.

    Added value in operation instead of just on the construction site
    Around 80 per cent of a building’s life cycle costs are incurred during operation. This is precisely where BIM, in combination with digital twins, has the greatest leverage. Facility managers access maintenance cycles, operating instructions, manufacturer and warranty data in the 3D model, plan conversions precisely and reduce downtimes and journeys.

    Structured product and live data allow predictive maintenance, bundled procurement or automated reactions such as closing blinds in the event of severe weather warnings. At the same time, the transparent database supports ESG goals, decarbonisation and the circular economy, from energy and water tracking to the valuable reuse of materials in dismantling.

    Digital ecosystems as a model for the future
    Digital twins connect buildings, campuses and neighbourhoods to form intelligent ecosystems in which energy, use and mobility are coordinated. They provide insights into comfort, health, utilisation and emissions and help to manage net-zero strategies, new working environments and mixed-use urban building blocks based on data.

    For owners and operators, BIM and digital twins are thus becoming market differentiators. Those who understand their own portfolio digitally can better prioritise investments, manage risks and prove the return on investment of refurbishments, conversions and services. In an industry caught between decarbonisation pressure and user expectations, they are becoming the key to transforming properties from static objects into adaptive, future-proof infrastructures.

  • Whoever blocks, pays

    Whoever blocks, pays

    The majority of building permit procedures in Switzerland take place within reasonable time limits. However, there are exceptions and these have a serious impact. Objections and appeals can block projects for years or prevent them altogether. Today, even people who are not directly affected by a project can lodge an objection, for example because they don’t like the color of the neighbor’s planned façade. This is one of the structural weaknesses that the Federal Council is now addressing.

    Housing construction becomes a national objective
    The strongest lever in the reform package lies in the Spatial Planning Act. Housing construction as part of inward settlement development is to be enshrined there as a national interest. This sounds technical, but has a concrete effect. When weighing up interests, housing construction would be given more weight than the protection of the townscape or listed buildings. Projects that currently fail due to local protection interests would have a better chance of being realized.

    Objections with consequences
    Anyone who raises objections improperly, i.e. with the sole aim of delaying a project, should in future bear the procedural costs. The Federal Council is considering a legal obligation for the cantons to impose such costs on objectors. At the same time, the right of private individuals to appeal to the Federal Supreme Court is to be restricted. However, the Federal Council rejects flat-rate fees for rejected appeals. Access to legal protection should not depend on your wallet.

    The limits of the federal government
    Despite the political will, the federal government’s scope for intervention is limited. Building permit procedures are the responsibility of the cantons. The federal government cannot impose binding deadlines for cantonal procedures or the obligation to introduce digital approval processes. It recommends that the cantons introduce such measures on their own responsibility, as they have a demonstrably accelerating effect in the long term. The Swiss Construction Industry Association supports this approach and is calling for leaner processes while maintaining a high level of planning quality.

    Consultation
    The reform report fulfills five postulates from the National Council and Council of States and is part of the federal government’s housing shortage action plan. DETEC has now been instructed to draw up a consultation draft by the end of 2026. It is likely to be years before concrete legislative changes come into force.

  • Solar cells that camouflage themselves

    Solar cells that camouflage themselves

    Nature shows us how it’s done. The Morpho butterfly produces its intense blue wing sheen not through pigments, but through three-dimensional microstructures that refract and reflect light. Researchers at Fraunhofer ISE have transferred this principle to photovoltaic modules. A vacuum process applies a similar surface structure to the cover glass or flexible films. Depending on the fine structure, this produces modules in a wide range of colors, from brick red to anthracite. The result is called MorphoColor®.

    Patterns directly into the module
    New is the “ShadeCut” technology, which provides colored films with transparent cut-outs and thus integrates complex patterns and motifs directly into solar modules. A laser or a CAD-controlled cutting process applies the desired motif to the film, whether it is a brick structure, masonry or a company logo. The technology works with all standard photovoltaic and solar thermal modules and can be used both as a flexible embedding film and as a backsheet film. The colored modules achieve around 95 percent of the output of a comparable uncoated module.

    The end of the monument protection dilemma
    Until now, building-integrated photovoltaics has often failed due to aesthetic requirements. Listed buildings and conservation areas in Switzerland and Germany in particular posed major hurdles. In several German federal states, monument protection has already been relaxed, provided that modules match the color of the building envelope. Modules can imitate brickwork or roof tiles deceptively realistically and fit in perfectly in terms of color, says Dr. Martin Heinrich, group leader at Fraunhofer ISE. An Innosuisse project at HSLU in the Viscosi town of Emmenbrücke has already produced a demo façade in 78 shades of color.

    BIPV on the verge of a breakthrough
    The market for building-integrated photovoltaics is growing rapidly. Globally, it is estimated to be worth around 85.9 billion dollars by 2034, compared to 28.3 billion in 2026. In Switzerland, the registration procedure for façade systems has simplified the approval process since this year, which has given a clear boost to demand for aesthetic façade solutions. The first commercial tandem modules with a BIPV focus are expected in 2026 for niche markets. Fraunhofer ISE estimates the total potential of PV on buildings at around 1,000 GWp by 2045.

    What was created in the laboratory in Freiburg is now being applied to roofs and façades via a Swiss partner.

  • A lack of clarity in legal requirements is holding back the circular economy

    A lack of clarity in legal requirements is holding back the circular economy

    The circular economy is still being held back by a number of obstacles. A report compiled by Basel-based ecos and Münsingen-based Rytec for the Building Department of the Canton of Zurich has identified 71 such barriers. Of these, 28 stem from legal requirements, whilst 43 arise only during the actual implementation of regulatory provisions. Often, they only emerge during the implementation of regulations.

    The construction and real estate sectors, with their high level of regulation, are particularly affected by regulatory barriers. Here, sustainability criteria are often not sufficiently binding or are given insufficient weight. Particularly when it comes to reuse, the scope for deviating from standards is not yet being utilised. Processes are still geared towards the linear rather than the circular economy.

    In retail and logistics, the infrastructure for returning used goods and incentives for developing the necessary logistics are often still lacking. Private collection initiatives are held back by unclear scope for implementation. The circular economy in commerce and industry suffers, among other things, from a lack of incentives for repairs and reuse.

    The report divides the barriers into four categories. The first three include those whose removal would have a significant impact. They are ranked according to the canton’s ability to influence them. The fourth category comprises measures with low impact and limited scope for influence.

    In the next steps, the canton intends to focus on the two categories of barriers whose removal would have a significant impact and over which the canton has considerable influence. This concerns 33 barriers. The barriers of least relevance will not be pursued further.

    The report is based on a survey of 122 people and workshops involving a total of 80 participants.

  • Digital platform simplifies analysis and development of building constructions

    Digital platform simplifies analysis and development of building constructions

    The ZHAW has put its dkon.ch platform online. Students, specialists and interested parties can use it to analyse, compare and develop building designs themselves. According to a statement from the university, this digital tool provides them with information on the impact of individual design decisions on the environment, costs and construction methods. Users can disassemble, rotate and reassemble components in virtual space.

    This makes it possible to visualise which materials a construction is made of and how they interact. By linking this with ecological assessment data, variants can be specifically compared with each other. According to the ZHAW, this opens up new possibilities in planning: “If you want to reduce the use of concrete or test alternative materials, for example, you can directly compare different solutions. Changes in the construction become immediately visible and their effects can be understood.”

    According to the information provided, a special feature of this platform is the integration of real reference buildings. Their designs, materials and construction processes can be analysed in detail. “dkon.ch creates a direct link between teaching and application,” says Andri Gerber, Project Manager and Co-Head of the ZHAW Institute of Structural Design. “Knowledge is not taught in isolation, but can be experienced in the context of real and concrete construction projects.”

    The platform is also helpful for specialists who have to integrate complex requirements and develop sustainable solutions, Gerber continues. That is why dkon.ch is “a tool that can be used both in training and in professional practice”.

  • Construction and Housing Fair in Wettingen attracts considerable interest

    Construction and Housing Fair in Wettingen attracts considerable interest

    From 16 to 19 April, Tägi Wettingen will host the region’s largest construction and housing exhibition, the Bauen Wohnen fair, for the 19th time. All signs point to success for this year’s edition, as Tägi explains in a press release. All exhibition spaces are sold out, and visitor numbers are expected to exceed last year’s figure, when 14,000 people attended the fair.

    “The fact that the exhibition space is sold out shows that there is a high level of interest in the fair and in the Tägi venue,” says Pascal Schelbert, deputy managing director and head of operations at Tägi. “For us, this is a wonderful confirmation that our infrastructure and flexibility are winning people over. At the same time, it is an incentive to continue developing even recurring events year on year.”

    During the event, visitors can look forward to specialist presentations, panel discussions and themed forums featuring experts. By offering insights into current building trends and sustainable housing concepts, the fair aims to provide inspiration as well as serve as a concrete basis for decision-making regarding construction and housing projects. According to a statement from Tägi, the timing of the fair is ideal, as it traditionally marks the start of the spring season – a time when a particularly large number of construction and renovation projects are planned or launched.

    The organisation of the fair is also seen as a clear example of the Tägi’s multifunctionality. The leisure, sports and events centre can utilise a wide variety of spaces simultaneously – from large halls for exhibitions to smaller rooms for specialist talks, explains Pascal Schelbert.

  • Where others park, you soon live

    Where others park, you soon live

    Christoph Schoop didn’t have to look far. The real estate investor from Baden looked out of his office window at the Dättwil industrial estate and recognized the obvious: huge flat roofs, completely unused. On the roof of the factory arcade at Mellingerstrasse 208, where McDonald’s, Spar and a bakery now provide for everyday life, eight so-called Wikkelhäuser are to be built from spring 2027.

    A new world on the roof
    The Wikkelhouse concept originated in Amsterdam and is now coming to Switzerland. Compact wooden housing units that are delivered ready-made by truck and erected with minimal effort. Each unit offers 30 to 35 square meters, its own terrace and ceiling heights of up to 3.5 meters. Architect Andreas Zehnder, who designed the project for Baden, clearly formulates the added value. Instead of adding another storey, an independent living space has been created on the roof.

    Swiss wood, Uri factory
    The houses are not produced on the building site, but in the company’s own factory in Flüelen UR on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The raw material is Swiss wood from sustainable forestry. Schoop is a co-founder and supporter of Wikkelhouse Switzerland and promotes the concept as a circular economy model. A unit costs from CHF 200,000 ex works; transportation and assembly are additional costs.

    Inexpensive, sunny, connected
    By Baden standards, rents should remain low. There is already a waiting list and, according to Schoop, inquiries have come from “a wide range of people”, including those of AHV age. And although the industrial area is not considered a residential location, the roof offers all-day sunshine and a direct public transport connection. The building itself provides noise protection.

    Pilot with scaling potential
    The project in Dättwil is explicitly designed as a pilot project. Schoop sees space for 50 to 70 Wikkel houses in the industrial area alone. The city of Baden is currently reviewing the suitability for planning permission. If everything goes according to plan, the first residents will move in in spring 2027. What sounds like a curiosity today could set a precedent tomorrow.

  • Condensed, networked, liveable

    Condensed, networked, liveable

    Switzerland currently has over 9 million inhabitants and the population continues to grow. The pressure on the housing market is increasing, while building outside existing building zones has been severely restricted since the RPG revision of 2013. Cities and municipalities must develop inwards. According to Dita Leyh, Professor of Urban Development at the OST, there are sufficient reserves of space. Single-family home neighborhoods near train stations, brownfield sites or unused railroad areas offer great potential. A second revision of the RPG will further tighten the requirements.

    Densify where public transport is strong
    Inner development at public transport hubs makes particular sense. “Inner densification makes particular sense at public transport hubs,” says Dita Leyh. This is because optimal connections to the bus and rail network create more living space, but not automatically more traffic. Another key lies in the reorganization of stationary traffic. Collective garages on the edge of the neighborhood bundle car traffic, leaving the interior of the neighborhood largely car-free and thus gaining open space for people and nature. “The more densely you build, the more open spaces you have to create at the same time,” says Leyh.

    Mix of uses as a quality feature
    Densification is far more than just stacking up apartments. A diverse mix of uses, from bakeries and restaurants to green spaces, revitalizes neighbourhoods and creates added value. High-quality, interdisciplinary planning is needed to create this added value. Urban planning, transport planning and open space planning must sit together at the table from the outset, emphasizes Leyh. The updated Spatial Concept Switzerland 2050, which was adopted by the Federal Council in March 2026, confirms this approach and focuses on regional cooperation, landscape quality and climate-friendly mobility.

  • The material that thinks – without a brain

    The material that thinks – without a brain

    The material consists of a chain of identical joints connected by an elastic framework. An integrated microcontroller measures the current position, stores past states and exchanges information with neighboring elements. The overall behavior results from the interaction of many simple units. Just like simple organisms that react to their environment without a complex brain.

    Learning through repetition
    Individual joints are moved into defined positions and the remaining elements are gradually moved into a target structure. The microcontrollers adjust torques in several runs, called “epochs” in the experiment. Stiffness and interactions within the structure change. The “information” is not outsourced to software, but stored directly in the physical structure. First author Yao Du sums it up: “As soon as the system starts to learn, the possibilities of where it can develop seem almost limitless.”

    Three abilities in one
    The system masters three properties that were previously reserved for biological systems. It learns new reaction patterns to defined inputs. It stores several states simultaneously and switches between these states depending on the input. Previous work by the laboratory had already shown that such structures can move without central control. What is new is the adaptability, as the material chooses its form of movement depending on the environmental stimulus.

    Fields of application and next steps
    The research team sees the greatest potential in adaptive components that adjust to changing loads, in soft robotics without central control and in systems for unstructured environments such as exploration. From August 2026, research in Amsterdam will be expanded in collaboration with the Learning Machines group. The Dutch research agenda NWA 2026 will dedicate a separate focus to adaptive materials. In addition to technical issues, the focus will also be on control and safe use.

    The boundary between material and machine is becoming blurred
    Instead of passive materials, adaptive systems are being created whose properties actively change. In the future, time-dependent behavior and the handling of uncertain conditions, so-called stochastic scenarios, will be integrated. This increases robustness and makes the technology suitable for real application environments. Intelligence is not created through central control, but from the interaction of many simple elements.