Tag: immoNews

Beer, concrete and living – Baden builds on its history

Four new buildings are being constructed on around 8,000 square meters directly next to Baden train station, divided into two construction sites. Building site A is the responsibility of Frei Architekten AG from Aarau, building site B is the responsibility of the renowned Harry Gugger Studio from Basel. The volume is considerable: 81,888 cubic meters of enclosed space, 22,914 square meters of floor space and an investment of around 64.5 million Swiss francs. The general contractor is Gross AG from Brugg.

Living where malt used to steam
136 rental apartments with 1.5 to 4.5 rooms are being built in the heart of the city. On the first floor, a total of 2268 square meters of retail and restaurant space will characterize the quarter. In the inner courtyard, a 900 square meter beer garden invites you to linger. The motto of the building owner, the fourth-generation brewery H. Müller AG, sums it up: “brew – live – enjoy”.

History remains visible
Not everything makes way for the new building. The boiler house, brewhouse and malt silo remain as architectural witnesses to a brewing history that began in 1897. The Müllerbräu beer itself is now produced by the Falken brewery in Schaffhausen. However, there is still a specialty brewery on the site. The site’s past thus not only remains visible, it can still be experienced.

Timetable and marketing
The building permit dates from October 2023, with demolition starting in April 2024. The facades of the new high-rise buildings have been visible for the first time for a few days now. A milestone for the project. Marketing of the apartments is scheduled to start in summer 2026, with first occupancy planned for June 2027.

April 2026
Laufenburg builds windmills at the train station

The Schützegärte site is located in a sensitive urban location. Three streets surround it, and building typologies from different decades clash all around. It is precisely this chaos that is the theme. AWW Architekten AG makes the “contrasting and bilateral” the basis of the concept. The architecture emerges from the tension of the location, not against it.

Offset, rotated, anchored
Two identical, four-storey buildings form the ensemble. They are not parallel, but offset and rotated in relation to each other on the slightly sloping terrain. This positioning is not an aesthetic conceit, but a precise reaction to the formation of edges and the flow of space in relation to the neighboring buildings. An ensemble that blends in while remaining independent. The total floor area is around 4,600 square meters, the building volume around 13,800 cubic meters.

Windmill as a residential model
The architectural concept is based on a compact four-span “windmill” building shape with a central staircase core. The projecting wings characterize the façade and make reference to typical bay window shapes in the district. Each apartment is oriented on three sides. At the heart of the building are the “four-season rooms” with spacious rooms that can be used as conservatories, studios or living and dining areas. Together with loggias, this creates a flexible range of spaces for a wide variety of lifestyles.

Green, communal, grounded
The open space between the houses is deliberately kept low-threshold. Accessible from inside and from the street. A green layer of native shrubs and perennials protects the first floor apartments and gives the development character. At one corner, the area opens up to a meadow-like situation with fruit trees, a reference to the local tradition of orchards close to settlements. The project considers housing and community as a unit.

Next steps open
The town of Laufenburg was not involved in the planning process. Town clerk Marco Waser confirms that the building authorities only clarified the building regulations in advance. The town has not yet made an assessment. The landowner Erne Immo AG has not yet commented on the time horizon for implementation.

April 2026
DGNB certificate for deconstruction in Switzerland

The grain silo tower from 1939 was demolished, but its concrete was not disposed of. In the nearby concrete plant, the material was processed according to a specially developed formula and 75 to 95 percent of it was reused as recycled material in the new building. Around 60 percent of the new building consists of the old tower. The client is Gutgrün AG from Chur, which deliberately refrained from making short-term profits in order to consistently implement the sustainability concept.

52 apartments, three certificates
The project comprises 37 rental apartments on eleven floors in the new residential tower and 15 loft apartments in the renovated historic mill building. The architects from Ritter Schumacher have recorded all the materials used in a building resource passport. A forward-looking approach that makes future life cycles transparent today. The project was awarded three DGNB certificates for this achievement. DGNB Platinum for the demolition, DGNB Gold for the new tower and DGNB Gold for the refurbishment of the old building.

Fire protection reinvented
The 30-metre-high photovoltaic façade poses a problem for conventional fire protection regulations. They require partitions on every floor to prevent fire from spreading from floor to floor. This would have interrupted the façade and significantly reduced its efficiency.

The PV surface is not interrupted anywhere by windows and is continuous from the floor to the roof. Specialist planners, contractors and the insurance company worked together to develop a tailor-made solution. Fire cannot reach the façade from the inside and the façade cannot reach the apartments.

Alliance instead of conflict
The project was built using the alliance model. The client, planners and contractors sat around the table together right from the start. Problems from construction practice were thus incorporated directly into the planning. The basic attitude was one of trust and fairness rather than pure risk hedging. One detail also testifies to the unconventional spirit: the graffiti that adorned the vacant building was retained as decorative elements in the stairwell.

A signal for the industry
There was not a single objection to the conversion project. This is unusual for a construction project of this size. Grüsch Mill shows that circular construction also works in a peripheral region and that sustainability is not a contradiction to economic viability.

April 2026
Consumer confidence collapses

The decline is abrupt. In January and February 2026, the index was still at around – 30 points, slightly above the previous year’s level. The slump in March to – 43 points is therefore one of the sharpest monthly declines in recent years. The turnaround came quickly and affected several areas simultaneously.

Where sentiment has tipped the most
Three of the four SECO sub-indices are clearly below the level of March 2025. Expectations regarding economic development have slumped the most. The expected financial situation of households and the willingness to make major purchases have also fallen significantly. Only the view of the past financial situation remained stable compared to the previous year.

Geopolitics as a mood killer
The war in Iran and the associated rise in oil prices are seen as the main triggers. Inflation expectations jumped sharply in March: from 98.3 to 121.4 points. At the same time, unemployment expectations rose. Both are having a direct and noticeable impact on household confidence.

What this means for consumption
Falling consumer sentiment is not just a statistical signal. It shows that households are postponing major expenditure and opting for security. For the retail trade, real estate market and construction industry, this means less stimulus from domestic consumption, at least in the short term. Trading Economics expects a gradual recovery to around – 34 points by mid-2026 and – 26 points by 2028.

Whether sentiment recovers depends heavily on the geopolitical situation and price trends. The Swiss economy has been robust so far, but consumer confidence is a leading indicator. If the buying mood remains subdued, the growth figures usually follow with a delay.

April 2026
The wood that protects itself

Millions of tons of sawdust are produced worldwide every year. Most of it is burned, and the CO2 bound in the wood is released back into the atmosphere. This is precisely where the research team led by doctoral student Ronny Kürsteiner, under the direction of Ingo Bungert, Professor of Wood-based Materials at ETH Zurich, comes in. The aim is to keep the sawdust in the material cycle for longer.

The trick with the watermelon seed
The binding agent is struvite, a crystalline ammonium magnesium phosphate with known fire protection properties. The problem until now was that struvite was difficult to combine with sawdust due to its crystallization behaviour. The researchers found the solution in an enzyme from watermelon seeds. It controls crystallization in such a way that large struvite crystals are formed, which fill the cavities between the sawdust particles and bind them firmly together. The compressed material is then dried at room temperature.

Three times longer than spruce
The fire tests at the Turin Polytechnic speak for themselves. In a cone calorimeter, a standardized test method for heat exposure, untreated spruce wood caught fire after around 15 seconds. The struvite-sawdust composite took more than three times as long. Once burning, the material quickly forms a protective layer of inorganic material and carbon, which slows down the further spread of the fire. In addition, the struvite releases water vapor and ammonia under heat, which has a cooling effect and deprives the fire of oxygen.

Lighter than cement, better for the climate
Conventional cement-bonded chipboard, which is widely used in interior design today, consists of 60 to 70 percent cement by weight. They are heavy and climate-damaging to produce. The new struvite sawdust boards only require 40 percent binder. They are lighter, have a significantly better carbon footprint and do not end up in hazardous waste landfill after demolition.

Recyclable and suitable for fertilizers
The composite can be broken down into its components. Mechanically in the mill, then heated to just over 100 degrees, whereupon ammonia is released and the sawdust is sieved off. The mineral source material newberyite precipitates as a solid and can be reprocessed into struvite. If the material is not reused, it can be used as a long-term fertilizer. Struvite releases phosphorus, nitrogen and magnesium slowly and in a controlled manner into the soil.

Sewage treatment plant as a source of raw materials
Another cycle is emerging. Struvite is produced in large quantities as an unwanted by-product in sewage treatment plants, where it clogs pipes and is expensive to dispose of. “We could use these deposits as a base material for our building material,” says Kürsteiner. Whether the material will establish itself on the market depends primarily on the cost of the binder. A problem that could be solved with this source.

April 2026
The construction site also wants flexibility

Adrian Dinkelmann, Managing Director of Infra Suisse, put it in a nutshell. Compatibility is not achieved through individual measures, but through a fundamental anchoring in the corporate culture. Two projects funded by the federal government highlight specific areas for action. The framework must be designed in such a way that it accommodates the different realities of employees’ lives.

Not everyone wants the same
Jan Malmström, CEO of the JMS Group, asked around in his company. The result is surprising. The desire for part-time work is strong in the office, but much less so on the construction site. But even there, there is a clear need for more flexibility in everyday life. Standard models fall short. Anyone who treats all employees the same is missing the point.

Co-CEO as a reality check
Sandra Werneyer and Lea Ott at werneyer ott architektur gmbh demonstrate what is possible: shared leadership in the co-CEO model. This works with high organizational and communicative requirements. Their presentation made it clear that new forms of work are not a sure-fire success. They require clarity about which responsibilities can really be shared.

Stereotypes slow down the industry
Dörte Resch, Professor of Applied Psychology at the FHNW, made it clear that image campaigns alone do not change anything. Stereotypes that no longer correspond to the reality of the construction professions must be actively addressed. Authentic career marketing is needed that makes the attractive aspects of the industry visible to everyone. Caroline Farberger, Swedish entrepreneur, added a personal perspective. Inclusion begins with questioning existing thought patterns.

Culture beats concept
The panel made it clear what makes the difference. Olivier Imboden, CEO of Ulrich Imboden AG, describes it like this. When employees share a company’s values, this has a direct impact on its attractiveness as an employer. Sven Stingelin from Frutiger AG added to the construction site perspective and addressed the framework conditions, which are different to those in the office. Thomas Weber from Walo Bertschinger pointed out that project processes have a significant impact on the scope for action. Cornel Müller, founder of Work-ID AG, showed how targeted career marketing opens up new target groups, including through early career guidance.

April 2026
No longer a bonus, but mandatory

From ESG label to strategic reality
Sustainability in the real estate industry has had its noisy years behind it. After gaining a certain reputation as a differentiating feature, it has now taken its place as a strategic core issue in the form of ESG criteria. However, this is precisely why the topic is in danger of becoming quiet between reporting obligations and day-to-day business. What becomes the norm disappears from the limelight. But routine is no protective shield. Especially not in an industry that thinks in decades but often makes decisions in years.

Because while sustainability is being discarded as a done deal in many places, the structural challenges remain. Real estate thinks in cycles of 30, 40 or more years. Net zero by 2050 is therefore not a distant vision, but a real planning horizon. This also means that a large proportion of today’s existing properties can only be properly renovated or completely refurbished once.

Uncertainty as the new planning reality
The current geopolitical situation, volatile markets and unclear framework conditions are currently making it difficult to draw up reliable climate reduction paths. In practice, this often leads to decisions being postponed or reduced to the most favorable short-term solution. However, those who persist in linear thinking are limiting themselves in the long term. Climate protection roadmaps, gray energy, life cycle costs and climate risks must be an integral part of every decision in order to achieve climate neutrality in an economically viable way. And not at some point, but now.

In practice, it is becoming clear that portfolio holders are taking an increasingly differentiated approach to sustainability. In addition to traditional CSR approaches, a clearly risk-oriented approach is becoming established. The focus is on reliable data on condition, consumption and emissions as well as building-specific risk profiles, which are incorporated into the portfolio strategy as control parameters. This makes sustainability a strategic decision-making factor that goes beyond reporting. The location in particular is taking center stage: Real estate must not only be efficient, but also resilient to heat, water, extreme events and social tensions. Those who systematically assess these risks can take targeted action. Everyone else reacts to the consequences later.

April 2026
When cantons go from being a drag to a location factor

In several cantons, digital building permits are no longer a vision of the future, but part of everyday life. Building applications are submitted via central platforms, distributed digitally and reviewed in standardized processes. This relieves the burden on administrations, planners and building owners and makes procedures more transparent for all parties involved.

Pioneers rely on clear cantonal solutions and cooperation. Shared platforms reduce costs, pool expertise and prevent isolated solutions. At the same time, digitalization is only effective if it is not thought of as an IT project, but as a change to the entire process, from submission to decision.

Who already approves digitally
Several cantons use canton-wide platforms to submit and process building applications electronically. Bern with “eBau”, Zurich with “eBaugesucheZH”, Graubünden with ebau.gr.ch or Valais with “eConstruction” show what a digitally managed procedure looks like, in some cases obligatory or with transitional periods. Other cantons such as Solothurn or Aargau rely on the common open source solution Inosca and are introducing their systems in stages.

However, the degree of digitization differs significantly. In some cantons, digital submission is mandatory; in others, analog and digital channels run in parallel or there are only pilot municipalities. There is no complete, up-to-date overview across Switzerland, and not every platform already maps the process fully digitally end-to-end.

Politics between speed and legal protection
Politically, the building permit process is caught in the crossfire. On the one hand, there is the housing shortage, energy and climate targets, and on the other, federalism, appeal rights and complex technical specifications. Business associations are calling for shorter deadlines and more binding regulations, while municipalities and cantons are insisting on their own responsibilities and limited resources.

Digitalization reveals these tensions. It makes it clear how many places a dossier affects, where there are snags and how different practices are between the cantons. However, it does not replace political decisions. Whether objections are restricted, procedures harmonized or deadlines shortened remains a question of power, not software.

Costs, benefits and risks
For administrations, the switch to digital procedures is a tour de force. New specialist applications, interfaces, training and change management cost time and money. Smaller municipalities in particular are reliant on cantonal platforms and joint solutions to carry the burden.

On the other hand, there are tangible effects. Fewer interruptions to a process, fewer multiple entries, faster workflows. Even more important are the indirect effects. Every shortened approval week reduces project and financing costs, increases the ability to plan and makes a location more attractive. At the same time, the handling of data remains sensitive. Transparency, data protection and acceptance must be carefully balanced.

From e-dossier to intelligent inspection
The digitalization of building permits is only just beginning. In the short term, the aim is to introduce cantonal platforms across the board, eliminate media disruptions and manage building applications digitally throughout. At the same time, expectations are growing. Planners want digital interfaces, investors want reliable deadlines and municipalities want more control options.

In the medium term, the focus will shift to automated plausibility and rule checks, the integration of planning and construction data and AI-supported assistance. They can speed up procedures, enforce standardization and direct resources to those cases where political or technical decisions really need to be made. Whether building permits in Switzerland go from being a drag to a strategic locational advantage will depend on how consistently politicians and administrators manage this change and whether they are prepared to shake up rules, roles and routines.

April 2026
From data to AI in the real estate world

This is precisely why it is worth looking back. Because the way in which real estate is planned, operated and managed has changed fundamentally over the last 30 years.

Thirty years ago, many processes were still surprisingly analog. Data was stored in folders and paper documents, decisions were based heavily on experience and less on systematic analysis. A phase soon began in which the industry developed step by step: processes became more digital, data more important, buildings and companies increasingly networked.

It was in this environment that pom was founded in the mid-1990s as a spin-off from ETH Zurich – with the idea of integrating tasks, data and processes in the construction and real estate sector more closely. Thirty years later, pom is celebrating its anniversary and the basic question is still very topical: How can real estate, organization and technology be meaningfully combined?

In terms of technology, we are now at a new turning point. The digitalization of real estate continues to advance: cloud technologies, IoT and digital models are enabling ever more precise mapping of buildings. The so-called digital twin is increasingly becoming a reality and creating new opportunities for automating processes.

At the same time, the way companies work is changing. Artificial intelligence will change many processes in the coming years – especially where large amounts of information have to be processed and decisions still have to be made manually. Different data can be analyzed more easily, finished results can be generated automatically and decisions can be massively accelerated, even with the involvement of humans. Assistance systems, known as agents, are becoming part of everyday working life.

At the same time, a look at the industry reveals an interesting area of tension: technological development is progressing rapidly, while implementation in companies is much slower.

Every year since 2016, pom Consulting AG has measured the digital maturity of the construction and real estate industry as part of the Digital Real Estate & Construction Study. The Digital Real Estate Index currently stands at 4.3 out of 10 points – a slight recovery compared to the previous year, but definitely not a quantum leap.

Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence is increasingly coming into focus. According to the latest study, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning is once again one of the most frequently used technologies, alongside Platforms & Portals and Data Analytics. However, the assessment of AI is much more differentiated than in previous years: Around two thirds of respondents see a high benefit in it. In last year’s survey, the figure was 75%. With more frequent use of AI, the possibilities of the technology, but also its limitations, are becoming much more visible, making expectations more realistic.

Technology alone therefore does not determine success. The decisive factor remains the organization: data quality, implementation strength, clear responsibilities – and the willingness to question existing ways of working.

Perhaps this is the real parallel to the last 30 years.

Back then, too, it wasn’t just about new technologies, but about new ways of thinking. Artificial intelligence could therefore become the next big development step in the industry – not because it changes everything, but because it helps to better manage the growing complexity of real estate and organizations.

April 2026
Zurich remains the world’s number one smart city

Zurich retains the top spot in the seventh edition of the IMD Smart City Index. Oslo is ranked second, ahead of Geneva, which, according to a statement, also occupies third place this year. Lausanne has climbed three places since 2025 to reach seventh place. For the index, the World Competitiveness Center (WCC) at IMD Business School surveyed citizens in a total of 148 cities.

As the index showed, citizens also assess the quality of their city based on its political transparency and opportunities for participation. ‘Smartness’ therefore concerns not only the introduction of the latest technologies, but also a stronger perception of good urban governance and the implementation of digital services. According to the press release, cities where people feel they are being listened to perform significantly better.

“The most progressive urban centres, where citizens feel happiest, are not necessarily those characterised by utopian skylines, visible sensor networks or pure technological sophistication,” Arturo Bris, Director of the WCC, is quoted as saying in the press release. “They are distinguished by how effectively they align administrative structures, sustainability priorities, decisions on public investment and – perhaps most importantly – citizens’ trust.”

Behind Zurich, Oslo and Geneva, London, Copenhagen and Dubai rank fourth to sixth. Behind Lausanne, Canberra, Singapore and Abu Dhabi round off the top 10.

April 2026
Hydropower project on the Grimsel enters the implementation phase

According to a press release, the Board of Directors of Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG (KWO), based in Innertkirchen, has approved an investment of 300 million Swiss francs in the construction of the new Grimsel 4 pumped-storage power station. The plant will enable the water from the two reservoirs, Räterichsboden and Grimsel, to be used to ensure grid stability. The concession and planning permission have already been granted.

Grimsel 4 consists of an underground power station between the two lakes. Two reversible pump-turbines, each with a discharge capacity of 35 cubic metres per second and an installed capacity of 84 megawatts, pump water up into Lake Grimsel as required or use it to drive the turbines as it flows into Lake Räterichsboden. The water tunnel between the two lakes is around 1,200 metres long and has a diameter of 6 metres. The access tunnel to the power station is around 1,800 metres long.

Construction will begin in June and is scheduled for completion in February 2032. Excavation work for the power station will commence in early 2028.

KWO was founded in 1925. It currently operates 13 hydroelectric power stations and eight reservoirs. BKW holds a 50 per cent stake in the company. The municipal utilities of Basel (IWB), Bern (ewb) and Zurich (ewz) share the remaining half equally.

April 2026
New partnership drives innovation in heat storage systems

Cowa Thermal Solutions has announced its global partnership with Innova. Under the terms of the partnership, Innova, an Italian company based near Turin, will integrate Cowa’s phase-change material (PCM)-based thermal storage technology into its own heat pump systems. According to a statement from the spin-off of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, founded in 2019 and based at Technopark Lucerne, this collaboration enables “a new generation of solutions that combine compact design, high comfort and sustainable technology”.

According to the information provided, this cooperation builds on technical validations and assessments that have confirmed the suitability of Cowa’s PCM for Innova’s heat pump systems. According to Cowa, the tests demonstrated the high performance and efficiency of the integrated solution.

Innova, for its part, is responsible for the design, development and manufacture of the systems. The Piedmont-based company specialises in modern solutions for heating, cooling, hot water and indoor air quality, and supports its global clientele in replacing fossil fuel heating systems with sustainable alternatives.

April 2026
Succession planning launched at regional utility

There is to be a change at the helm of Industriellen Betriebe Interlaken AG. According to a statement, CEO Helmut Perreten has informed the Board of Directors that he intends to step down from his role in mid-2027. He plans to pursue a career outside the energy sector thereafter.

The search for a successor will begin in the coming months. The early announcement of the change will allow for a careful and structured succession plan, the statement said. The Board of Directors regrets but respects the decision.

Perreten has been CEO of IBI since 2015. Prior to that, the trained mechanic and mechanical engineer was Head of the Oberland region at BKW Energie AG and, before that, Managing Director of the Grindelwald Electricity Works.

In 2025, IBI sold a total of 96 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, 35.9 million kilowatt-hours of gas and 1.8 million cubic metres of water.

April 2026
Experimental space showcases the future of retail

OF GOODS is set to become a “new space where production, trade and the public come together” in Bern, as stated in a press release. The trading house will open on 10 April across three floors of the Kaiserhaus. The organisers aim to create an experimental space with a view to realising a potential trading house of the future.

As consumers are increasingly interested in the origin of materials and their life cycles, OF GOODS aims to provide context in this area. Open workshops and curated retail spaces contribute to this, as do accompanying formats. On the one hand, this brings craftsmanship to the fore, and on the other, customers can learn how to mend clothes or care for shoes at a do-it-yourself station.

In addition, workshops, exhibitions and other events are held at the retail space. A variety of formats are designed to invite visitors to “rediscover materials, processes and ideas”.

To date, more than 60 established and lesser-known brands, studios and manufacturers are among the suppliers at OF GOODS, which celebrates its opening on 10 and 11 April. Catering establishments such as Brasserie Kaiser, Kaiser Deli and Hof-Bar are also part of the concept.

April 2026
Municipal energy supplier is systematically expanding its infrastructure and district heating network

The Zurich City Electricity Works generated turnover of 1.44 billion Swiss francs in 2025, according to a statement from ewz. This represents an increase of CHF 11 million year-on-year. Operating expenses rose by CHF 64 million to CHF 1.02 billion over the same period. This was driven by the integration of the district heating network of Entsorgung Recycling Zürich (ERZ-Fernwärme) and additional energy procurement. A profit of CHF 303 million was reported, compared with CHF 391 million in the previous year.

“This strong result is primarily attributable to energy sales on the open market, a profit from the marketing of wind power production abroad and the targeted use of funds,” ewz Director Benedikt Loepfe is quoted as saying in the statement. “The successful integration of district heating, involving over 100 additional employees, impressively demonstrates our company’s adaptability.”

In the reporting year, ewz also invested CHF 244 million in networks, power stations and shareholdings. That is CHF 48 million more than in the previous year, the energy supplier writes. “Capital requirements will rise massively over the next ten years so that the necessary investments of over CHF 3 billion can be made,” explains Loepfe. “ewz’s current strong financial position enables us to make these investments in the future of energy and security of supply in the coming years using our own funds.” CHF 80 million of this year’s profit will be transferred to the city.

April 2026
Winterthur is turning to solar power from the local area

Since the start of the year, residents of Winterthur have been able to sell their own solar power to their local community. To do so, they must register their solar installation with a local electricity community (LEG) run by Stadtwerk Winterthur. The municipal utility currently offers 155 such LEGs across the city, according to a statement from Winterthur City Council. This means that around seven in ten households in Winterthur have the opportunity to purchase solar power from their neighbourhood.

Of the 2,500 photovoltaic systems installed across the city, 535 are currently registered with the 155 existing LEGs. Anyone wishing to register their own system or purchase electricity from an LEG can do so via the leghub.ch platform. It is also possible to set up your own LEG via the platform.

The federal government is promoting the purchase of solar power from the neighbourhood by offering a discount on the grid usage component of the electricity price. The price of LEG solar power is therefore up to 15 per cent lower than the standard electricity price. In the press release, Stefan Fritschi, Head of Winterthur’s Department of Technical Services, highlights a further advantage of electricity communities: “LEGs also enable tenants and homeowners without their own system to access locally produced solar power”.

April 2026
New construction project bolsters the research hub in the Bernese Oberland

The cost of constructing the new Empa building on plot B5 of the Thun Nord site amounts to 47 million Swiss francs. According to a press release, a financing solution has now been put forward. The City of Thun states in a press release that the project will be financed through a new site development company to be established, in which four partners will hold stakes.

Under the proposal, the City of Thun will provide a mortgage-backed, interest-free loan of 16 million Swiss francs. It will also provide a guarantee for a loan for which the Canton of Bern has issued a letter of intent under the New Regional Policy for 10 million Swiss francs. Empa is investing CHF 16 million in laboratories and the technical centre. Halter AG, as the development partner for the site, is contributing CHF 5 million. The site development company is to be transferred to investors once the project is completed.

The Thun City Council will decide on the current proposal at its meeting on 30 April. Planning permission for the first phase on construction site B5 has already been granted. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027, with completion expected by the end of 2029.

“The City of Thun has a keen interest in the realisation of the new building,” Mayor Raphael Lanz is quoted as saying in the press release. “Empa secures long-term, highly skilled jobs in research and development, generates regional value creation and strengthens Thun as a technology and innovation hub within the Canton of Bern.”

Empa has had a research site in Thun since 1994. Here, it conducts research in the fields of high technology and materials.

A new district is taking shape in Thun Nord. Alongside the first concrete project on the B5 construction site, the planned Thun Nord S-Bahn station plays a central role. The total potential of the Thun Nord site encompasses around 6,500 jobs.

April 2026
Former industrial site to be transformed into a mixed-use neighbourhood

According to a press release, Halter AG has celebrated the topping-out ceremony at the Aebi site. The construction company, based in Schlieren, is developing extensive commercial, office and residential space on the site, with completion scheduled for early 2027. The ground-breaking ceremony took place in February 2025. The Aebi company manufactured agricultural machinery on the site until 2010. Burgdorf’s mayor, Stefan Berger, along with Marcel-Jann Blattert and Marc Weber from Halter AG, expressed their gratitude at the topping-out ceremony for the efforts of everyone involved.

In total, the site will feature 26 owner-occupied and 79 rental apartments, as well as around 3,625 square metres of floor space for versatile commercial, office and retail premises. The usable space can be partly rented and partly purchased as freehold. According to the project description, the central location at the railway station and the proximity to Bern (ideal conditions for businesses) are particularly attractive to companies that value a strong presence, accessibility and a vibrant environment.

Halter AG is a property and construction company operating throughout Switzerland. The company handles a construction volume of around 800 million Swiss francs per year across seven sites and currently has around 320 projects in development and under construction.

April 2026
Start-up is driving the electrification of industrial processes

SolidWatts has announced the completion of a seed funding round. The Vaud-based start-up, founded in late 2022, has raised 1.8 million Swiss francs. According to a press release, existing investors Evercurios VC (Athens), Kickfund (Basel) and Axel Carbon Capital (Milan) have continued their support. New investors include Uni.Fund and Investing for Purpose, both based in Athens, Loggerhead Ventures from Thessaloniki, and the British investor Almanac Ventures.

In developing his solid-state high-frequency platform, SolidWatts CTO and founder Dr Markus Aicheler, then a postdoctoral researcher at CERN, drew inspiration from the Geneva-based nuclear research centre’s pioneering work in high-frequency (HF) solid-state technology. Whilst CERN uses this technology for scientific applications, the scientist recognised its potential to replace fossil fuels in industry. HF enables high-power dielectric heating “with an efficiency and scale that make it suitable for direct use in conventional fossil fuel-based processes for the first time”, according to the start-up, which is supported by the Swiss Climate Foundation, in the press release.

“This investment is a huge endorsement of our mission to fundamentally transform the industry’s energy consumption,” Aicheler is quoted as saying. “It enables us to bring HF technology up to the power and efficiency levels that the industry actually needs.” The seed funding will be used to scale up the SolidWatts platform to higher power levels and to carry out pilot projects with industry partners and customers who are actively seeking to reduce their energy consumption and costs through the electrification of heating processes.

“SolidWatts is shaping the future of industrial resilience,” says George Georgiadis, partner at Evercurious VC and representative of the investor group. “Its technology boosts efficiency and offers a clear path away from dependence on fossil fuels.” The group is backing “an innovator founded in Europe and equipped for the world”.

April 2026
The City of Biel believes it is on track to meet its climate targets despite the obstacles

In light of ongoing global warming, the City of Biel has been pursuing a comprehensive climate strategy since 2020. At that time, the City Council adopted the relevant climate regulations. Now, for the first time, the city has published a report taking stock of developments to date – with data-related delays of around two years.

The key finding from the Department of Construction, Energy and the Environment is that Biel is essentially on track to meet its targets. Greenhouse gas emissions have fallen steadily in recent years and are currently slightly below the reduction pathway set out in the climate regulations. According to emissions monitoring, emissions in 2023 amounted to around 174,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents – a decrease of approximately 34 per cent compared to 2010. At the same time, the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption rose to 39 per cent.

Looking to the future, however, it is emphasised that further reductions will be more challenging. Particular challenges exist in urban buildings as well as in the transport and heating sectors.

Furthermore, emissions from transport and heating are falling only slowly. The share of electric vehicles, currently at 13 per cent, is set to rise. Moreover, many fossil fuel heating systems are still being installed, which, due to their long service life, jeopardise the achievement of climate neutrality by 2050.

Against this backdrop, the city emphasises the central role of the public: the general consensus is that climate targets can only be achieved through their active engagement and the use of existing funding and advisory services.

April 2026
Robotics in the construction industry is gaining in importance thanks to new investment

Sika, the Baar-based specialist group, has invested in Mesh AG once again following its 2022 investment. The start-up Mesh specialises in robotic construction, reinforcement and formwork and, according to a statement from Sika, has completed a funding round totalling €2.9 million. Alongside Sika, participants included ABB Robotics and the Shimizu Corporation from Tokyo.

MESH was founded in 2022 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. With partners such as Sika, Mesh developed the first robotic process between 2019 and 2021 that enables complex shapes to be produced without formwork. “In robot-assisted production, it doesn’t matter whether something is straight or curved: complexity comes at no extra cost,” explains Mesh CEO and co-founder Ammar Mirjan in an interview published by Sika. “This gives architects and building clients new creative freedoms.”

According to Sika, over a million reinforcement elements have already been installed in Switzerland using Mesh technology. These solutions have been used in demanding large-scale projects such as the new Gotthard Road Tunnel, amongst others.

“Through our investment in Mesh, we are investing in one of the world’s most innovative technologies for robot-assisted manufacturing in industrial series production,” Sika’s Head of Construction, Ivo Schädler, is quoted as saying in the press release. “Combined with our materials expertise, we are creating new opportunities for significant improvements in efficiency, quality and sustainability in the construction industry.”

According to Ammar Mirjan, the partnership with Sika and other international industry leaders marks “a decisive turning point for Mesh on its journey from regional innovator to global technology provider”. He describes the funding round as a key milestone in driving growth by combining digital manufacturing with advanced material solutions “and jointly tapping into new business potential around the world”.

April 2026
Trust company expands offering with industry software for construction SMEs

Gewerbe-Treuhand AG, based in Lucerne, is expanding its range of industry software. According to a press release, the company is now offering AbaBau software from Abacus Business Solutions AG for SMEs in the ancillary construction industry.

The company in Thalwil ZH is a subsidiary of Abacus Research AG. It develops this specialised software with an expert team of 80 employees.

As an Abacus partner, Gewerbe-Treuhand not only organises the distribution of the construction software, but also supports the SMEs that use it with the practical and process-optimising introduction and implementation in practice.

Companies using the software also have the option of calling in their fiduciary partner in the event of staff shortages or temporary substitutions for administrative tasks, according to the press release.

Gewerbe-Treuhand is already a sales partner of Abacus Research AG in 2019. The new partnership with Abacus Business Solutions builds on this collaboration.

April 2026
New foundation to bring SMEs forward

Lucerne performs solidly in national competitiveness rankings. In terms of innovative strength, however, the canton ranks at the bottom. Those who fail to address this shortfall risk losing out in the competition between locations in the long term. This finding is the starting point for the planned Lucerne Innovation Foundation and for the special credit that the cantonal government is now applying for.

The foundation as the linchpin
The new foundation is not intended to create a parallel structure, but rather to coordinate existing partner organizations and better network their offerings. The focus is on companies in the early stages of development. In other words, where the need is greatest and resources are scarcest. In addition to coordination, the foundation can also co-finance specific implementation projects such as feasibility studies. The foundation board should consist of at least five members, and a four-year performance agreement ensures planning security.

24 million with a clear earmarking
One million of the requested 24 million francs will flow into the foundation’s capital. The remaining CHF 23 million is earmarked for the foundation’s services in the years 2026 to 2029. Lucerne is thus positioning itself as a canton that does not wait for federal funding, but acts itself. In addition to national programs such as those of Innosuisse, which support SME innovation throughout Switzerland.

Part of a larger reorganization
The foundation is embedded in the canton’s broader location promotion package. In January 2026, the cantonal council approved a package of measures worth around CHF 300 million per year. This was in response to the OECD minimum taxation, which reduces previous tax advantages. The Lucerne innovation contribution alone comprises CHF 110 to 160 million per year for companies that invest in research and development. The Lucerne Innovation Foundation is therefore not an individual measure, but part of a coordinated offensive.

Referendum in September
The Cantonal Council has already approved the overarching Location Promotion Act. However, the voters have the final say. The vote is scheduled for September 2026, with entry into force in October 2026. However, the foundation can already be established on the basis of the current legal foundations. The go-ahead does not have to wait for the referendum.

April 2026
PropTech remains invisible and indispensable

Mr. Schwyter, you are one of the pioneers of the Swiss PropTech scene. How did your journey in the digital real estate market begin?
After my time at Homegate, I asked myself how I wanted to use my knowledge further. The digitalization of the real estate industry was an obvious choice. Before the pandemic, however, hardly anyone was interested in this topic. It was Covid-19 that gave it a huge boost. From then on, digitalization was widely accepted and I found my place in the PropTech scene.

What early experiences at Homegate still shape your view of PropTech today?
Above all, the joy of experimenting and developing new approaches together. We wanted to create solutions that would advance the industry as a whole. This attitude is still with me today. Being open, working in an interdisciplinary way and testing boldly.

How digital is the Swiss real estate industry really, if you leave out the marketing jargon?
Pom’s Digital Real Estate Index has been below five on a scale of zero to ten for years. This clearly shows that the sector has a lot of potential for improvement. There is progress, but not a continuous digitalization push. Overall, we are more at the beginning of a professional digital transformation.

Where does Switzerland stand in an international comparison? Pioneer or laggard?
Switzerland has around 480 PropTech companies, which are small but qualitatively strong and diverse. Germany is significantly higher with more than 1,200 companies. We have areas where we are very good and others where there is potential for expansion. Overall, I would describe us as a solid, well-developed ecosystem.

In your opinion, which PropTech segments are the most advanced?
Platform solutions in the broad sense, i.e. not just marketplaces such as data platforms, service platforms and ecosystems. This is where we see the greatest professionalization and maturity.

What kind of startups do you think will be the first to disappear and why?
Startups that only cover one isolated process step and cannot be integrated. Real estate companies need solutions that combine several process steps or can be easily integrated into existing systems. Silo products will hardly be viable in the future, neither technically nor economically.

Where do you see obstacles to digitalization in Swiss real estate companies?
The industry is highly fragmented. A company with 20 or 30 employees is already considered large. Many have neither internal IT skills nor a budget for larger digitalization projects. This also means a lot of work for providers. Instead of five major customers, you have hundreds of small ones. This structure slows down digitalization.

Which three megatrends will shape the PropTech landscape in the coming years and why?
Clearly data, sustainability and artificial intelligence. Data is the basis for every well-founded decision. Sustainability is not possible without data, especially with ESG, and AI is a trend that is highly polarizing. However, the impact only comes when the data quality and organization are right.

Are there technologies that have long been ready for the international market but have not yet arrived in Switzerland?
No. Everything that is internationally relevant is generally available in Switzerland in high quality. The challenge lies not in the technology, but in its consistent application and integration.

What does it take for administrations to become more open to technology and more courageous?
A clear digitalization strategy, because without a target image, any tool introduction is pure actionism. Companies need to understand that digitalization is a cultural and transformation process and not an IT project. Employees need to be supported and motivated, especially in an environment with high staff turnover.

How can you recognize the quality of a PropTech company?
The team. The key question is: do the people have the skills, perseverance and openness to really implement an idea? Markets change, products change and only a strong team can support this change. The team is therefore more important than the idea.

Which approaches manage to map the entire life cycle?
Not individual all-in-one products, but integrated cycles. When condition analysis, refurbishment planning and facility management are linked via clean data flows, for example, a genuine life cycle is created. Integration is the key.

In which phases do you see the greatest untapped potential?
Clearly in the area of construction technology. How we build, what materials we use, how planning and construction processes work – major changes are imminent here. We are already much further ahead in terms of operations and marketing.

Are the regulatory framework conditions more of a driver or a brake?
Startups want fewer hurdles and some things have been improved. However, issues such as the tax treatment of founder shares remain complex. Overall, we should reduce regulation. Innovation does not come from new regulations, but from entrepreneurial freedom.

What political steps would be necessary for the sector to digitalize faster?
I am clearly in favour of less government. The real estate industry will digitize itself for economic reasons. If companies can win more mandates and improve quality with the same employees, they will use digital solutions. Without any new political requirements.

What cultural and organizational stumbling blocks do you encounter most often?
The misconception that digitalization is a tool issue. In reality, it’s about processes, collaboration and roles. Many underestimate the cultural change. High staff turnover also makes it difficult to establish a digital culture.

Which developments will irreversibly change the industry?
Anything that simplifies or automates repetitive tasks and thus creates productivity gains. Whether you call this digitalization or efficiency enhancement is irrelevant. AI is one component, but not the only one.

If you had to found a new PropTech today, in which area would it be?
Probably in the area of marketing, because there is a lot of creative potential there. At the same time, I would like to see existing solutions grow more strongly. We have enough good providers, we don’t necessarily need any more.

Where will PropTech Switzerland be in 2030?
PropTech will be indispensable, but not in the spotlight. It’s not “sexy” like climate or energy issues. PropTech doesn’t make the headlines, but it ensures that the industry functions digitally, data-based and efficiently. This is precisely why PropTech will play a central role in the long term.

April 2026
How digital systems are reorganizing urban development

Modern cities must simultaneously manage transportation, energy supply, housing, infrastructure, administration and climate adaptation. This is despite a growing population and increasingly scarce resources. Smart city approaches see the city as an ecosystem in which mobility, energy, buildings, climate and governance are interlinked. Sensors, data rooms and digital platforms create transparency, provide real-time information and improve the basis for long-term decisions. The decisive factor is not the digitalization of individual silos, but the interaction of systems.

Switzerland in the top international group
Zurich has held a top position in the IMD Smart City Index for years and once again leads the global rankings in 2025. Geneva and Lausanne are also in the top 10, underlining the strength of the Swiss approach with high data quality, well-developed infrastructure and a strong research landscape. At the same time, medium-sized cities such as St. Gallen, Winterthur and Lugano are developing their own smart city strategies, data platforms and pilot projects. Often with a focus on mobility, administration and energy.

International role models and different approaches
Singapore is regarded as a reference for integrated national digital strategies in which mobility, energy, administration and health are linked via data and platforms. Copenhagen combines smart city technologies with a consistent sustainability policy and low-emission mobility, while Helsinki scores with extensive open data approaches and digital administration. Cities such as Dubai, London and Amsterdam have different priorities. From large infrastructure programs to data-driven mobility and data-ethical governance. What they have in common, however, is a clear political will and long-term strategies.

Governance, data and federal reality
Smart city is only partly a question of technology. Without resilient data spaces, clarified responsibilities, data protection rules and transparent decision-making processes, projects remain piecemeal. In federal Switzerland, municipalities, cities, cantons and the federal government also have to coordinate their roles. For many municipalities, Smart City therefore primarily means process modernization, cross-departmental cooperation and a new understanding of urban development. UrbanTech and PropTech combine administration, real estate management, energy and mobility systems. The closer these systems are linked, the greater the leverage for sustainable urban development.

Technology as a means, not an end
The most successful smart cities in the world are not characterized by the number of sensors they have, but by the way they deal with complexity. They use technology in a targeted way to improve quality of life, resilience and efficiency. They embed digital solutions in social and ecological goals. Smart City is therefore less an IT project than an urban development project in which technology remains a tool. The decisive factor is how cities use data and digital systems to make smarter, more inclusive and more sustainable decisions.

What exactly is a smart city?
Smart city – precisely defined:
A smart city is a city that uses digital technologies, data and networked systems to improve quality of life, sustainability, efficiency and participation. It integrates energy, mobility, buildings, administration and the environment into a common data and organizational model and uses this information to intelligently manage services, infrastructure and urban planning.
The decisive factor is not the technology itself, but the ability to use it responsibly, safely and purposefully in the interests of the entire population.

Smart cities promise efficiency, sustainability and better urban services. At the same time, they harbor risks that need to be carefully addressed. The following areas are particularly critical:
Data protection and surveillance
Sensors, cameras, mobility data and networked infrastructures generate huge amounts of data about the population’s behavior, movements and usage. Without clear rules, this can lead to a risk of surveillance, whether by the state or the private sector.

The power of algorithms
When data-based systems control decisions, for example in transport, administration or energy use, there is a risk of non-transparent or difficult-to-understand processes. A lack of explainability or unverifiable models can weaken public trust.

Democratic control
Smart city decisions are often made at the interface between the administration, technology providers and infrastructure operators. Critics warn that important urban development decisions could increasingly be influenced by technical systems or private companies.

Social inequality
Digitalization is expensive. Cities with fewer resources run the risk of falling behind. A “digital divide” can also emerge within a city. Between those who can use all services and those who remain excluded. Be it for financial, technical or social reasons.

Complexity and dependency
The smarter a city, the more dependent it is on digital systems, platforms and external technology partners. Outages, cyberattacks or technical disruptions can have significant consequences for infrastructure, security or supply.

Lack of standards and governance
Without clear governance models, isolated solutions, incompatible systems and unclear responsibilities arise. This can negate efficiency gains and make long-term investments more difficult.

International smart city gadgets that have made headlines
Smart lamp posts, networked street lamps (Barcelona, Los Angeles, London)
Smart lanterns with sensors for traffic, noise, weather, air quality and parking lot detection.
They caused a stir because they are disguised as harmless infrastructure but collect large amounts of data.
– Symbol for “visible invisible” smart city technology.

“Quayside Project” Sidewalk Labs sensor masts (Toronto)
Alphabet/Google planned a district with a fully sensorized environment.
Temperature, movement, mobility, waste, energy – everything was to be measured in real time.
– Stopped after criticism of data protection. Discussed worldwide.

“Lampposts-as-a-Platform” (Singapore)
Singapore equipped lampposts with cameras, microphones and IoT modules as infrastructure for autonomous driving and safety systems.
– Internationally renowned for AI-based monitoring and efficiency.

Smart waste bins, solar-powered waste containers (Bigbelly, New York, Berlin, Vienna)
Compact waste, report fill levels and sometimes serve as Wi-Fi hotspots.
– Was in the headlines because some models were able to secretly collect data (“WLAN tracking”).

Intelligent parking spaces, sensor parking spaces (San Francisco, Amsterdam)
Ground sensors report free parking spaces in real time.
– Known for the SFpark project, which measurably reduced traffic.

Autonomous delivery robots (London, Tallinn, San Francisco)
Robots that transport food and parcels.
– Media excitement because they are considered “new road users” on the sidewalks.

AI-based traffic lights (Hangzhou, Tel Aviv, Los Angeles)
Cameras and AI control traffic lights dynamically, reducing congestion times by up to 30 %.
– The “City Brain” system from Alibaba in Hangzhou has become particularly well known.

Drone programs for rescue and logistics (Rwanda, Dubai, Zurich)
Drones deliver medicines, defibrillators and medical supplies.
– Known for Zipline (Rwanda) and medical drone logistics in Switzerland.

Smart benches with charging function and sensors (Prague, New York, Dubai)
Solar modules charge smartphones, integrated sensors measure environmental values.
– Viral because they combine design, energy and technology.

Holographic citizen information and AR maps (Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai)
Interactive AR displays for navigation, participation or administration.
– The first prototypes were celebrated at trade fairs and shared globally.

Sound Traffic Light, noise radar systems (Paris)
Cameras and microphones measure vehicles that are too loud and automatically trigger fines.
– Great media coverage due to privacy vs. noise abatement.

Robot police and autonomous security vehicles (Dubai)
Dubai was one of the first cities to present “Robocop”-like surveillance robots.
– Global media topic, futuristic and controversial at the same time.

Top 20 Smart Cities 2025 – International ranking

1.Zurich (Switzerland)
Outstanding combination of quality of life, digital administration, mobility and energy efficiency.

2.Oslo (Norway)
Leading in climate protection, autonomous mobility solutions and digital governance.

3.Singapore (Singapore)
Smart nation as a guiding principle of the state, fully integrated mobility & administration.

4.Geneva (Switzerland)
International governance, smart mobility management, high urban service quality.

5.Copenhagen (Denmark)
World leader in sustainable urban development and networked mobility planning.

6.Lausanne (Switzerland)
Strong research (EPFL), innovative urban planning, mobility and energy data spaces.

7.Helsinki (Finland)
Open data, digital administration and one of the highest transparency standards in the world.

8.London (United Kingdom)
Mobility data, AI pilot zones, sharing economy and world-leading GovTech scene.

9.Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Massive digitization of administration, smart mobility & automated infrastructure.

10.Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Pioneer in data ethics, circular economy and citizen-oriented smart city projects.

11.Stockholm (Sweden)
Strong IoT infrastructure, energy efficiency, digital access to public services.

12.Seoul (South Korea)
Smart governance, AI traffic light systems, highly connected city infrastructure.

13.Dubai (UAE)
One of the most technology-driven cities in the world: autonomous transportation, 3D printing, GovTech.

14.Vienna (Austria)
Excellent administration, smart living, social innovation and urban resilience.

15.Barcelona (Spain)
Urban sensor technology, mobility platforms, open data movement and civic tech.

16.Prague (Czech Republic)
Rise in Europe: smart mobility, digital administration, open data initiatives.

17.Tokyo (Japan)
Autonomous mobility, robotics, smart infrastructure on a megacity scale.

18.Tallinn (Estonia)
E-government world champion, blockchain-based administration, digital identity.

19.Canberra (Australia)
Digital administration and mobility systems at a very high level.

20.Vancouver (Canada)
Sustainable urban planning, smart mobility, strong tech and innovation scene.

April 2026
Hydrogen can do a lot, but not everything

The Fraunhofer ISI analyzed 774 individual statements as part of a meta-fact check and condensed them into 77 core statements. The result was not a new opinion paper, but a synthesis of the current state of knowledge. The result is nuanced, but the key points are unambiguous. Lead author Nils Bittner puts it in a nutshell: hydrogen can have an enormous impact where there are no equivalent alternatives. Where such alternatives do exist, its use costs valuable resources and time.

The efficiency bottleneck
The basic problem lies in physics. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis. Depending on the process, this requires around 50 to 60 kWh of electricity per kilogram. Compression, transportation and reconversion swallow up further energy. In the end, often only a fraction of the kilowatt hours originally used remain. Heat pumps and battery-powered vehicles therefore use the same electricity many times more efficiently.

Where H₂ remains indispensable
Nevertheless, there are areas in which hydrogen has no viable alternative. The steel industry needs it to reduce iron ore, the chemical industry as a raw material for ammonia and methanol. Aviation, shipping and heavy goods transport can hardly be directly electrified. Hydrogen is the fuel of choice here. There is also currently no comparable alternative for the seasonal long-term storage of energy over weeks and months. In Switzerland, this assessment is in line with the federal government’s hydrogen strategy, which envisages H₂ primarily for high-temperature process heat and transport sectors that are difficult to decarbonize.

The chicken-and-egg problem is slowing down the ramp-up
A functioning hydrogen economy requires infrastructure such as pipelines, cavern storage facilities and electrolysis plants. However, companies only invest when the supply is secured and network operators only build when there is sufficient demand. This chicken-and-egg problem is slowing down the market ramp-up considerably. The Fraunhofer ISI therefore recommends concentrating on industrial clusters instead of a nationwide network extending into residential areas.

Imports only solve half the problem
Germany will have to import up to 80 percent of its hydrogen requirements. Transportation over long distances usually requires conversion into ammonia or liquid hydrogen, with further energy losses. This creates new global supply chains instead of fossil dependencies. Switzerland will not become self-sufficient in hydrogen either. The cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft adopted a joint hydrogen strategy for the first time in February 2026 and calculate a demand of 0.4 to 3.4 percent of total energy requirements for 2050, concentrated on industry and heavy goods vehicles.

April 2026
Three exceptions to planning security for Bremgarten

Bremgarten began the overall revision of its land use planning over seven years ago. Regulations and documents were revised in several stages, always with the involvement of the population. In October 2024, the municipal assembly approved the revision, followed by approval from the cantonal government in December 2025. Two appeals lodged against this were both rejected.

Rezoning as the centerpiece
The most important measure in the settlement area is the rezoning of the Oberebene area from a pure work zone to a new residential and work zone. At the same time, a core zone for the development of the station area will be established and the Oberebene work zone will be strengthened as an economic focus of regional importance. This creates scope for investment and urban development.

New regulations for cultural land and the old town
The cultural land plan establishes binding overarching open spaces and water areas. This includes the water and migratory bird reserve of national importance. The regulations for building in the old town were also reviewed and clarified. An important signal for property owners and investors who need planning security.

Three points still open
The government council sent back three amendments. The non-protection of two properties at Birrenbergstrasse 10 and Glärnischweg 5/7 and the proposed deletion without replacement of a paragraph on roof breakthroughs in the building and usage regulations. In November 2025, the city council had already secured a loan of 200,000 francs for the reprocessing.

Municipality to decide in June
The municipal assembly will meet again on June 11, 2026. This is when the three rejected items are to be finally resolved. Bremgarten is nearing the end of a long planning process and the start of a new phase of urban development.

April 2026
80 centimeters slow down 63 million project

The secondary school community of Arbon applied for an exemption permit for the planned Lärche school center. Specifically, this concerns the attic storey, which is 4 meters high instead of the 3.2 meters stipulated in the building regulations. The maximum permissible overall height of 16 meters is nevertheless undercut at 15.5 meters. A technical borderline case, not a fundamental problem.

One man, one objection
Architect Gustav Maurer has lodged an objection to the application for exemption. He describes the project, which emerged from a competition, as a “proven planning error” and considers it irresponsible in view of the global economic situation. Maurer claims that the required construction volume could be realized for CHF 43 million. This is around 20 million less than the credit of 62.9 million francs approved by the people.

Timetable is faltering
The secondary school authorities wanted to submit the building application in November. Due to the objection and the resulting legal uncertainty, this deadline is beginning to waver. If the process is delayed, there is a risk of follow-up costs in the millions due to rising construction prices, longer planning times and postponed building approvals.

Clear words from the school president
Secondary school president Robert Schwarzer finds clear words. Maurer has been opposing almost everything that is to be built in Arbon for years. The right to object is undisputed as a fundamental right, but what is being practiced here is an “expression of harassment and arbitrariness”. The objector seemed to be indifferent to the potential multi-million euro follow-up costs.

Support from the population
The project has democratic legitimacy. Almost 60 percent of voters were in favor of the 62.9 million loan in September 2025. The ground-breaking ceremony was planned for September 2026, with occupancy scheduled for the 2028/29 school year. Whether this timetable holds will now be decided by the Legal Service. Not at the ballot box.

April 2026
What was considered a bargain becomes a billion-euro project

When the city of Zurich announced the renovation of the armory on the barracks site in Zurich-Aussersihl, it still sounded like a manageable project. The initial cost estimate was around 55 million francs. Today, a figure of just under 200 million francs is on the table that makes even experienced city parliamentarians sit up and take notice. A multiplication that needs to be explained.

Dilapidated fabric drives up costs
The main driver is the fabric of the building itself. The historic arsenals are in a far worse condition than originally assumed. Pollutant remediation, structural interventions and monument conservation requirements add up to a cost that was simply underestimated in advance. Added to this are increased construction costs and an expanded usage concept that requires higher technical standards.

Culture, commerce and community
What is to be created after the renovation has substance. The city council is planning a mixture of cultural use, small businesses and publicly accessible spaces. A lively meeting place in the middle of Zurich-Aussersihl. The social mix is an explicit part of the concept. The aim is to enhance the barracks area as a whole, not just the arsenals themselves.

Long road to opening
The timetable is ambitious and the history of the project calls for caution. The renovated arsenals should be ready for occupation in 2034 at the earliest. Until then, the municipal council will need to approve a loan, an approved construction project and a smooth construction process. In Zurich, experience shows that these three factors rarely all work smoothly at the same time.

Monument obliges
The arsenals are part of the protected barracks area. An ensemble that makes the city’s history visible. Demolition is out of the question. If you want to preserve historic buildings, you have to be prepared to pay for them. The question is not whether, but how the city finances this task and communicates it transparently, comprehensibly and with clear added value for all Zurich residents.

April 2026
Owner-occupied rental value not until 2029

In the fall of 2025, the Swiss population voted clearly in favor of abolishing the imputed rental value. The fictitious rental income that homeowners have had to declare as taxable income for decades, even though not a single franc flows in, has thus become politically obsolete. However, it took the Federal Council until the end of March 2026 to set a date for its entry into force and it ended up in 2029.

Mountain cantons put the brakes on
After the vote, Federal Councillor and Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter still mentioned 2028 as the earliest possible date. The mountain cantons, including Valais, pushed for 2030, as they need time to introduce a new tax on second homes to compensate for their tax losses. The year 2029 is the result of this trial of strength.

70 million franc hole
The canton of Valais alone is expecting tax losses of over 70 million francs as a result of the reform. The new property tax for second homes is intended to close this gap. But its implementation is complex. Cadastral values are outdated and the definition of second homes for private use is unclear. The question of whether the municipalities or the canton will levy the new tax is still open.

Homeowners are outraged
The Valais homeowners’ association campaigned strongly for the abolition of the tax during the referendum campaign. Association director Reinhard Meichtry commented on the Federal Council’s decision, saying that he initially believed it was an April Fool’s joke and that the decision was “absolutely unacceptable”. Meichtry announced that he would apply to the Federal Council for a rejection and also doubted the seriousness of the communicated tax loss figures.

What applies now
The current system will remain unchanged until the end of 2028. Owners continue to declare the imputed rental value and can deduct mortgage interest and maintenance costs. Anyone planning major renovations or mortgage adjustments should make strategic use of this transition phase, as most of these deductions will no longer apply when the system changes in 2029.

April 2026