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700 affordable apartments, three high-rise buildings – Thurgauerstrasse design plan was clearly accepted by the electorate. But it was running out in the affected district. And: there are other obstacles.
The Thurgauerstrasse design plan was accepted by the electorate of the city of Zurich with a solid yes ratio of 59.8 percent. District 11, to which the affected Seebach belongs, also agreed. Even if you’re not very enthusiastic: 54.8 percent is the lowest approval rate in town. Neighboring District 12 approved the plan with 56.5 percent.
In the other electoral districts, the proportion of positive votes ranged from 58.9 (district 10) to 66 percent (district 4 + 5). The turnout was 51.4 percent.
“It will be part of the neighborhood in which you not only live, but also live.”
The building’s construction supervisor, André Odermatt (SP), was satisfied with the means and said a major course had now been set. In view of the compression pressure, he said with relief: “Skyscrapers are not a nightmare per se.” The highlighted the environmental and social quality of the project and He promised to continue the dialogue with the critical neighborhood of the affected district.
That’s how big the development could be in Zurich-Seebach: Thurgauerstrasse design plan. To the left of the planned buildings is the Grubenacker district.
Illustration: PD
The city council is convinced that the planned large urbanization with 700 apartments for 1,800 people plus shops on the ground floors will be part of the district “in which you not only live, but also live.” Odermatt also made it clear that there is no specific construction project yet. The design plan only provides the framework for future buildings. So three high-rise residential buildings are possible. Two can be up to 60 meters high, one even 70 meters. A maximum height of 30 meters is specified for two other buildings in the elongated estate. Buildings with heights between 10 and 17 meters are allowed on the side of the Grubenacker district where the resistance originated.
Now Leupi is looking for cooperatives willing to build
The developers have yet to be determined. Cooperation with several housing cooperatives is planned, each of which is developing a sub-zone.
With the yes to the design plan, the person in charge in the city government changes. Now it is the turn of CFO Daniel Leupi (Greens), when it comes to construction rights contracts. He promised transparency and participation. An informational event will follow soon, followed by the announcement and a public report. This is followed by an architecture competition. Leupi wants to proceed in stages. The start of construction for phase 1 is “2027 at the earliest.”
However, there are still many obstacles. You can take legal action against the design plan. And building rights contracts, if approved by the municipal council, are likely to be eligible for referendums because the land is worth more than 20 million Swiss francs. Neighborhood appeals to federal court are also possible against subsequent specific construction projects.
Critics want to contribute constructively
The legal route is not in the foreground of criticism from the local community. Christian Häberli from IG Grubenackerthat the referendum had taken against the design plan, you don’t want to rule out appeals. “Our main goal is a better quarter,” as he said when asked. That is why we want to “continue to contribute constructively”especially since the local housing association is showing interest in the big project. It is clear to him that his neighborhood with single-family houses and small apartment buildings is not a model for the future. The compression method that now approved Plan provides, but was also “out of time”, as he puts it.
The current situation: orchards, parking (below) and nursery. Grubenackerstrasse on the left, Thurgauerstrasse on the right.
Photo: Urs Jaudas
Of course, he was disappointed with the result. The opportunity to think that the area is larger and less dense is wasted. But 45,000 votes against the plan are also a minor success and show that planning without considering residents is difficult. Furthermore, Häberli is convinced that he has just started the debate on densification and urban development.
“It would be fatal to interpret the result in such a way that as many apartments as possible are built as quickly as possible.”
The issue will remain, also politically when it comes to the new skyscraper guidelines or the settlement plan. “Fatal” would be to interpret the result in such a way that as many apartments as possible should be built as quickly as possible, write IG Grubenacker, AL, the Greens and the EPP in a joint statement. you they criticize the “faceless kilometer architecture” promoted by the design plan. And you I doubt that high-rise buildings are suitable for non-profit housing.
SVP Councilor Susanne Brunner noted that skepticism against megaprojects is growing. The 59.8 percent approval was also weak given that charitable apartments were up for grabs. In the referendum battle, he experienced a great anti-condensation mood, Brunner said.
SP: It’s a yes to the most affordable housing
The SP, in turn, sees the yes to the design plan as “a yes to more affordable housing.” The 700 apartments on Thurgauerstrasse are an important step towards achieving the third non-profit apartment goal. GLP is pleased that the electorate has seized the opportunity to
to develop one of the last great land reserves “in a new ecological and habitable part of the neighborhood for young and old.”
Another greener view of the settlement. Opponents protested against this representation, so the city published another illustration (see above in the text).
Illustration: PD
Less far from the planned start of construction of the apartments in 2027 are the planned school and park for the area, which are further planned. Leupi said the loan should be voted on in March.
