What significance does the development of the Landolt site have for Glarus as a business location? What specific impetus do you expect for the local economy and the creation of new jobs?
The site is already well utilised with many different SMEs. When the Landolt company moves out in the medium term, the old stock will be freed up. The Shedhalle, which we have already renovated and equipped the roof with a large PV system, is particularly interesting. We are in the process of attracting new tenants and offer a very attractive location with optimal logistics connections. Attractive new jobs are being created here.
Temporary uses such as the planned mobility hub are a central element of the concept. What opportunities do you see in these temporary uses to revitalise the site during the development phase?
This is one of the most important parts of the transformation. We would like to keep all of the existing tenants if possible. We maintain direct contact with them so that they can continue to develop within the site. The buildings with interim uses are let cheaply but not for long, whether as storage, car parks or hubs, but without major investment on our part. There is also room for creativity here.
How are the canton of Glarus and the location promotion organisation involved in the project? Is there strategic coordination with cantonal development goals?
We are in regular dialogue with the location promotion agency and are confident that the good location and the size of the space on offer will also attract larger SMEs to the canton of Glarus. Several companies are already interested in setting up here.
Participatory planning is emphasised. How were local residents and businesses able to get involved and what findings from this process will be incorporated into the next steps?
With well-supported representation from the authorities and a specialist committee from the worlds of business and urban planning, as well as an international team of planners, the urban design, the relationships with the neighbours and the use and building distribution of the site were reworked. Many of the old spinning mill buildings are to be preserved and given a new lease of life.
The current purely commercial area will be supplemented with various commercial offerings, and a small proportion of housing will also be possible. The very attractive location between the Chli Linthli and Mühlibach streams also invites walkers and residents to experience this beautiful and idyllic place.
The planners are currently working with the design commission and the heritage conservation organisation to draw up the basic project. By the summer of 2025, it will be possible to show the future shape of the site, the expanded commercial offer and the variety of flats. We are very pleased with the excellent cooperation and are convinced that the careful handling of the existing buildings and the new buildings will create great added value for the users of the site, as well as for local residents.
The development will take place in four stages. How will you ensure that the site remains lively, usable and attractive in the intermediate phases and does not become a long-term construction site?
As already mentioned, part of the existing industrial buildings will be used for new purposes. The very old existing buildings, which will be vacant in the medium term after the Landolt company moves out, are to be rented out again quickly after conversion or modernisation. The various talent zones were defined for this purpose, and these form the stages. The development will be successively finalised with the completion of the respective zones.
The innovation campus at Chli Linthli is intended to develop independently and in line with demand. Which target groups would you like to address here and which sectors could settle here?
This site is already fully occupied with a wide range of businesses. The needs of the future will be accommodated here. The idea is to create a diverse range of businesses that require good networking within this area and function like a campus. However, we are also open to other ideas. Only time will tell what these are.
How do you create long-term identity and loyalty on the site? What role do social, cultural or ecological offerings play for future users?
The site already has a rich history. You can see this everywhere here. With a new use and the right approach, the culture will be preserved but also redefined. With our goal of sustainability, this process will also conserve resources. The use of natural building materials and simple architecture will create affordable working and living space that is healthy and worth living in. With its watercourses, green spaces, newly created neighbourhood squares, etc., the site offers a lot of spatial quality, but also a very attractive place to work, live and stay.
