Federal Council wants to curb construction outside building zones
Published: Wednesday, Jun 19th 2024, 12:10
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The number of buildings and the total amount of sealed surfaces outside of building zones should only be allowed to increase by 101% compared to the end of September 2023. This is the target proposed by the Federal Council when implementing the Spatial Planning Act.
The second stage of the partial revision of the Spatial Planning Act had occupied the councils for years. Parliament decided to make this bill an indirect counter-proposal to the landscape initiative, which was later withdrawn. The core element of the revision of the law is a stabilization target for building outside building zones.
The cantons must specify in their structure plans how they intend to keep the number of buildings and the extent of sealing stable outside the building zone. They must report regularly to the federal government and make adjustments if necessary.
"Balanced goal"
The Federal Council is now proposing a "balanced stabilization target for building outside of building zones" in the draft implementation ordinance, as it announced on Wednesday. According to this, the number of all buildings outside of building zones should increase by a maximum of one percent compared to the level in fall 2023. In doing so, it is taking the demands of the landscape initiative seriously, the Federal Council wrote.
There are currently around 620,000 buildings outside of building zones in Switzerland. An additional growth of one percent corresponds to around 6200 buildings. On average, 500 buildings are constructed outside the building zones every year. This means that the further growth still permitted corresponds to just over ten years of construction activity.
Cantons can designate special zones, for example to further develop traditional cultural landscapes. There, conversions or new buildings outside of building zones are possible under strict conditions. In this case, the volume and the area occupied by new buildings must be fully compensated, as can be seen from the draft ordinance. This means that other buildings or facilities in this zone must be demolished.
The consultation on the Spatial Planning Ordinance will last until October 9.
©Keystone/SDA
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