Tag: aarau

Energy supplier plans move to former bank premises

AEW will not be relocating its new headquarters to the Obere Vorstadt site as previously planned. According to the energy supplier, the test planning launched in May 2024 showed that the possible site development was not sufficiently in line with AEW’s development goals.

The search for a new location had become necessary because the current headquarters at Industriestrasse 20 in the Aeschbachquartier in Aarau does not fulfil AEW’s short to medium-term capacity and space requirements. For this reason, the rental contract, which expires in mid-2027, will not be extended.

AEW has now found a suitable neighbourhood at Bahnhofstrasse 49: the premises of the former Credit Suisse. According to the information provided, they offer the space that AEW needs in the long term.

As the Canton of Aargau is currently renting “significant space” in the Obere Vorstadt area for the High Court and judicial management, AEW intends to “initially” enter into negotiations with the canton regarding the sale of the entire Obere Vorstadt area. The move to Bahnhofstrasse is planned for 2027.

November 2025
Smart City Aarau Strategy 2034

With “Smart Aarau 2034”, the city is pursuing a forward-looking approach. The strategy does not rely on technological impetus alone, but sees digitalisation as a tool for solving complex challenges. The focus is on the needs of the population, cooperation between departments and resource-efficient implementation. Aarau is orientated towards the city’s existing development goals and integrates smart thinking into all urban projects.

A methodological framework for real progress
The change in strategy also means a rethink in terms of implementation. In future, projects will no longer be planned in secret, but developed in dialogue with those affected. A municipal team will provide methodical support to employees. From the initial idea to the actual tested project. Experience from the Smart City period to date shows that this approach is effective if it is applied consistently.

Smart means networked and usable
The new strategy puts an end to isolated islands of innovation. Instead, projects should be systemically conceived and networked across the city in future. The goal is a city that utilises its resources efficiently, can react to changes and introduces new solutions where they are actually needed. Digital tools will only be used if they contribute to quality of life or efficiency.

Effectiveness instead of symbolic politics
Aarau measures success not by the number of digital projects, but by their impact. The new strategic framework focuses on measurable progress. This applies to implementation, behaviour, awareness and everyday use. This makes smart thinking the new basis for urban development – comprehensible, user-centred and climate-friendly.

May 2025
Sustainable power generation for the canton of Aargau

The new installation of photovoltaic systems at the Buchenhof site in Aarau by the Canton of Aargau ‘s Real Estate Department(IMAG) is intended to make an important contribution to the canton’s sustainable electricity generation, according to a press release. In view of the upcoming renovation cycle for the flat roofs of the administrative site, the IMAG) has determined that Buchenhof offers good conditions for the expansion of photovoltaic systems on the flat roofs, it continues. In addition to the structural condition, the potential for sustainable electricity generation measures was also examined.

The expansion planned for 2025 is part of the cantonal energieAARGAU strategy and will help to reduce external energy consumption thanks to the defined optimum number of photovoltaic modules. Due to the high energy requirements of the cantonal data center, 100% of the electricity produced by the photovoltaic systems will be consumed internally.

“The fact that Buchenhof will be able to use the electricity generated by the photovoltaic system in future means that energy purchasing costs can be reduced. The system also makes an important contribution to the canton’s climate-neutral energy supply,” said Markus Dieth, Head of the Department of Finance and Resources.

“Immobilien Aargau has also taken biodiversity into account when expanding the photovoltaic systems,” continued Cantonal Councillor Dieth. In order to preserve the wild orchids on the roofs, the number of photovoltaic modules to be installed has been optimized.

November 2024
Zurich remains at the top of the Swiss city ranking

The magazine “ Bilanz ” has published this year’s ranking of the quality of life in Swiss cities. Zurich took first place again and, according to the report , has been the undisputed leader for eleven years. The cities of Zug and Bern took second and third place, followed by Winterthur, Basel and Geneva.

The city ranking was created by the real estate experts from Wüest Partner for the business magazine “Bilanz” based on several indicators for the quality of life in cities, for example in the areas of the job market, education, leisure and shopping. A total of 162 cities were rated in this way.

According to the article by “Bilanz”, it hardly seems possible for other cities to break into the absolute top group. In the top 10, only the canton’s capital, Aarau, lost two places and fell from 6th to 8th place. When asked whether other cities even had a chance of making it into the top group, Patrick Schnorf from Wüest Partner was quoted as saying: “It’s impossible It doesn’t.” For example, St.Gallen, which currently ranks 11th, has a chance if the city could increase its educational and cultural offerings as well as its population growth.

According to Schnorf, Bassersdorf ZH is a counter-example, which has slipped back eleven places. “Compared to other cities, Bassersdorf has not developed as quickly, for example in terms of education and culture,” Schnorf is quoted as saying. According to the ranking, the two economic regions of Zurich and Lake Geneva are the most liveable.

Since there are only four cities in the top 30 from western Switzerland and Lugano, one in Ticino, it must be said that the overall quality of life in German-speaking Switzerland is higher.

June 2022
Swica and Steiner build in Aarau

The health organization Swica from Winterthur and Steiner AG from Zurich want to realize a mixed-use development in the Aarau district of Scheibenschachen, Steiner informs in a press release . Three buildings with a total of around 90 rental and owner-occupied apartments as well as commercial space are to be erected on an area of around 4,000 square meters. A building worthy of protection that is already on the site will be integrated into the project, explains the Zurich-based project development, total and general contractor.

In a first step, the two partner companies want to carry out a study contract for the development of a project plan. It should then be specified and submitted for approval. Construction is scheduled to start in 2023. The construction work should be completed by the end of 2025.

The Scheibenschachen district, which is within walking distance of the historic center of Aarau, has developed "into a popular residential area" over the years, Steiner writes in the press release. According to her, the Zurich-based company has already built two more large residential developments in Scheibenschachen.

July 2021
Winning project from study contract for further development of Aeschbachquartier Aarau

Winning project known from the Rockwell site study contract
The Rockwell area belongs to the western part of the Torfeld Süd and was acquired by Mobimo in 2001. Rockwell Automation GmbH intends to discontinue production at the Aarau location at the beginning of 2022. Only the research and development areas will remain at the long-standing headquarters. This will free a large part of the area – and the further development of the Aeschbach district can be tackled.
As of today, the Aeschbachquartier comprises 167 rental apartments, 92 condominiums, the Aeschbachhalle, the Oehlerpark and commercial space. The urban planning guidelines designed by the renowned Dutch architect and retired ETH professor Kees Christiaanse and the associated vision of the “Urban Village” – an urban village – with diverse uses should also shape the further development steps.
Mobimo has invited five renowned architecture firms to take part in a study. In addition to the high demands on the sustainability of the project – it should be made of wood and meet the SNBS Gold standard – the results of the participation process from 2020 were also part of the task package.
The proposal by Baumberger & Stegmeier Architects from Zurich in collaboration with Hoffmann Müller landscape architects and Pirmin Jung timber construction engineers particularly impressed the jury and was chosen as the winning project. Your project envisages an increase in the historical Hall 5 and a new wooden building (see visualization). In addition to the ecological construction method, the winning project is characterized by many green areas with large trees. The project envisages 110 rental apartments of various sizes and suitable for families and senior citizens. Alternative forms of living such as cluster apartments are also to be created.
Mobimo will invest around CHF 50 million (amount excluding land value). Realization can probably begin in mid-2023, which means that completion would be possible in mid-2025.
Quote from project manager Thomas Schaz: “We are delighted to be able to open a new chapter in the Aeschbach district. Rockwell Automation remains an important and valued user of the quarter in a reduced space. "

April 2021
Mobiliar's craftsmen platform is online for Zurich and Aarau

The Mobiliar subsidiary Buildigo has been bringing together craftsmen and clients in Zurich and Aargau on its digital platform since Monday. According to a media release from the insurance company, the focus is on the quality of the service partners and digital processing from the inquiry to payment. This service can be used by both private individuals and SMEs.
The start-up Buildigo has been active in French-speaking Switzerland since 2017. Since the summer of 2020, it has been supplementing Mobiliar's services for everything to do with living. Your new trade platform on the Internet is starting in the regions of Zurich and Aarau with a selected range of the most relevant industries. The offer will be gradually expanded in the coming months.

February 2021