Discussion: Current Themes in Swiss Housing
Switzerland is a country of rented accommodation, and multi-storey developments form the broad basis of housing. The increase in tax-aided property ownership in recent years, however, has led to a steady exodus of families and sections of the middle classes from the cities. If this migration is to be halted, one has to offer a genuine alternative to the single-family house and garden out of town. In recent years, therefore, individuality and variability have been a focus of urban housing construction, and good architecture has become a strong argument, even in the lower-price segment. In 1998, the city of Zurich set itself the goal of supporting the construction of 10,000 large family dwellings within ten years. This programme has led to a building boom from which a number of interesting and innovative ideas have emerged.
