Zürich Strategies 2025 (PDF, 52 Pages, 2 MB - Stadt Zürich

Update 

2011 

Zurich 

Strategies 

2025 

Goals and areas of action for the 

development of the City of Zurich

Contents 

Zurich Strategies 2025 3 

Challenges 4 

Vision 7 

What will we live on today and tomorrow? 9 

01 Expansion of the knowledge and research centre 10 

02 Good general conditions for the financial sector 12 

03 Fertile soil for the creative industries 14 

04 Promotion of life sciences and university medicine 16 

05 Space for sustainable industrial and commercial businesses 18 

06 Promoting Zurich as a destination 20 

How do we maintain our quality of life? 23 

07 Promotion of a cosmopolitan and international spirit 24 

08 Promotion of good co-existence 26 

09 Outstanding educational opportunities at all levels 28 

10 Development of a diverse residential city 30 

11 Structural development and maintenance of urban and natural space 32 

12 Development of a wide range of cultural, leisure and sport offers 34 

13 Planning for city-friendly mobility 36 

14 Good environmental quality and sustainable energy supply 38 

15 An efficient and secure infrastructure 40 

16 Promotion of health and an integrated health care 42 

How do we organise ourselves? 45 

17 Working together as partners, also across borders 46 

18 An efficient and quality-conscious City Administration 48

Strategies for Zurich 

The City of Zurich has developed successfully in recent years. This progress has been 

aided by an economic situation that has proved to be relatively healthy, despite the global 

crisis and also by the implementation of the major strategies and programmes of the City 

– such as those regarding housing, mobility, public transport, culture and the improvement 

of public space. 

It is not self-evident that this successful development of the city will be continued in the 

future. In order to pave the way into a still uncertain future, the City Council published 

Zurich Strategies 2025 in 2007. The strategies cover a longer period than the four-year 

goals of the City Council and form the basis of the Spatial Development Strategy RES 

paper. 

Higher-level strategies of this kind are necessary in order to be able to coordinate 

solutions for the challenges of the future and to position Zurich as a internationally 

important city over the long term. These strategies must be periodically checked, 

however, because the framework conditions can change. With this in mind, the City 

Council is now presenting an updated version of the paper formulated in 2007. 

Three questions were of primary importance in the formulation and updating of Zurich 

Strategies 2025: 

� What will we live on today and tomorrow? 

� How do we maintain our quality of life? 

� How do we organise ourselves? 

Together with the Administration - and within the context of a broad evaluation - the 

City Council of Zurich has looked for answers to these questions and has developed 

corresponding strategies, which should ensure that the City is well equipped to meet 

the challenges of the future; the aim is to develop existing strengths further, to eliminate 

weaknesses and to guard against risks. 

The City Council will be very pleased if Zurich Strategies 2025 stimulates detailed 

discussions about the development of our City. 

The City Council of Zurich 

February 2011 

3

4 

Challenges 

Today, Zurich is a prosperous city whose qualities are recognised far and wide. Continued 

successful development of the City is not a given, however, because of a wide range of 

challenges. It is certainly true that global problems such as migration, climate change, 

limited natural resources or terrorism must first be addressed at international level, but local 

early-warning systems and measures are also necessary in terms of «thinking globally – 

acting locally». Every city faces its own specific challenges, which can be tackled only 

locally, and dealing with them can uncover opportunities for innovation . 

Scenarios for the possible development of the City were first drafted when the strategy 

paper of 2007 was being drawn up. These scenarios indicated desirable development 

perspectives, as well as those to be avoided, and helped to identify the major challenges for 

Zurich. 

According to the current level of awareness, Zurich will be primarily faced with the following 

challenges in the next few years: 

� Changing economic conditions 

With tax revenue difficult to calculate in advance, how can an adequate financial budget be 

ensured, one that will enable the continued financing of infrastructure, social services, 

security and education at today's level of quality ? 

� Limited environmental and energy resources, and a shortage of space 

How can a sustainable approach to the environment, energy and other limited resources be 

found? What challenges are presented by the increased inward densification that will 

become increasingly necessary due to lack of space? 

� Accentuated competition between cities 

How can Zurich survive as a global city in the face of the competition between cities, which 

will be accentuated by the increasing globalisation and transnational mobility? 

� Demographic change, social trends towards segregation and individualisation, 

as well as immigration 

How can Zurich guarantee social cohesion in an urban society in terms of an integration of 

different social and ethnic groups and the interplay of generations?

� Technological change and a growing knowledge economy 

How can Zurich make creative use of technological change in order to react to changing 

requirements in the workplace? And how can the City ensure a wide range of job opportunities? 

� Working together in the agglomeration and a constricting federalism 

How should Zurich deal with the often restrictive federal framework? How can Zurich 

strengthen the position of cities in Switzerland – and contribute towards a balanced distribution 

of tasks, powers and burdens between different levels of government? 

� Increasing regulatory burdens 

How should Zurich deal with higher security and quality demands without increasing 

regulatory density and complexity of approval procedures, without impairing the innovative 

capacity and flexibility of the location of Zurich? 

� 24-hour city 

How can Zurich remain attractive as a leisure city while still protecting the interests of the 

residents? How can the increasing demand of resources be met to handle sanitation, 

mobility and security? 

5

Vision: Zurich - a sustainable and successful major city 

In the year 2025, Zurich will be … 

... a city located in an attractive landscape with carefully maintained 

natural and urban qualities 

... a city with a high standard of living, excellent cultural and 

infrastructural facilities and good environmental conditions 

... a cosmopolitan and tolerant city, even beyond its own borders 

... a vibrant urban centre and a diverse residential city with 

a well mixed population 

... an important international financial centre and an innovative science 

and business location 

... the site of a labour market that offers plenty of jobs for people 

with different qualifications 

... a city with sustainable and affordable social networks 

… a city that makes use of the diversity of its inhabitants to 

shape their common future 

… a living space in which the population feels safe and takes an active 

part in social life 

... a city with excellent public transport, attractive pedestrian areas and 

bicycle paths and optimised traffic management 

... a responsible and exemplary city with regard to social, ecological and 

energy policies with the goal of achieving the 2000-Watt-Society 

... a strong partner for its surrounding municipalities and for Switzerland 

7 

7

What will we 

live on today 

and tomorrow? 

The City of Zurich needs financial resources to be able to make a commit- 

ment towards quality of life and social cohesion. 

Competitive companies and economic prosperity create the corresponding 

preconditions, because companies generate the basis for necessary 

investment through their taxes and the jobs they create. 

The City therefore promotes promising sectors and ensures the timely 

urban planning. It does this in the knowledge that solid basic economic 

structures and well-developed education, social and health facilities play 

an important role in the international competition between cities. 

9

01 

10 

Expansion of the knowledge and research centre 

Initial situation 

With the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich 2010: European ranking 4, world 

ranking 23) and the University (2010: European ranking 12, world ranking 51), Zurich has two 

internationally renowned universities, which are of great importance to the location; they 

have produced 27 Nobel Prize winners up to now. With their research and development 

programmes, the Universities of Applied Sciences also contribute to Zurich's reputation as 

one of the most important science and research locations. 

In view of international competition, recruiting the best specialists for the science and 

research location remains a challenge for Zurich, with its around 58,000 students. 


� The City promotes the transfer of technology from the universities to practice (spinoffs), 

above all in the areas of life sciences, ICT and Cleantech (see Action Area 05). 

� The City provides planning support for the structural development of the universities in 

its home district and in the various external locations, as well as the presence of the 

universities in the overall view of the city. 

� The City ensures that the different university locations are well connected through its 

public transport system, pedestrian areas and bicycle paths. 

� The City is building up the conference infrastructure for improved international exchange 

in the fields of science and research. 

� The City cooperates with specialised housing foundations in order to provide sufficient 

affordable housing for students and doctoral candidates.

Leading projects and plans 

– Support for the Climate-KIC Initiative (Climate Knowledge & Innovation Community), 

which is financed by the EU and in which ETH Zurich is heavily involved 

– Implementation of the cantonal Hochschulquartier Master Plan (location concentration 

and new buildings in the centre) 

– Support for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies research area through the 

Electricity Service Zurich (ewz) 

– Support for the further development of the ETH campus Science City 

– Participation in Strategic Development Planning USZ UZH ETH for a new University 

Hospital (see Action Area 04) 

– Realisation of a new Zurich Congress Centre (see Action Area 06) 

11

02 

12 

Good general conditions for the financial sector 


Zurich is a global financial centre. In addition to the banks and insurances, company-related 

services with different job profiles characterise the Zurich location. 

The financial sector is of crucial importance to the economy of the city of Zurich, 

because it generates around one third of the Economic Value Added and employs one-fifth 

of all workers. It is expected that the financial sector will generate up to 75 percent of the 

taxes from legal entities. However, in view of its importance, its volatility represents a great 

challenge. 

The financial sector currently finds itself in a state of transition due to the international financial 

crisis. But from the international point of view, the situation in Zurich is relatively good, 

however; by means of strict framework conditions, the national financial policy ensures that 

high quality financial services will continue to be provided in Switzerland in the future 

through an industry that provides a high Economic Value Added. 


� Together with the Canton of Zurich, the City works to ensure good internal and 

external conditions, so that the financial sector can remain efficient and reliable. 

� In its relations with the Federal government, the City promotes a transparent financial 

sector with a long-term perspective. 

� Together with the Canton of Zurich, the City continues to pursue the Cluster Strategy 

for Financial Services.

Leading projects and initiatives 

– Continued projects within the context of the Cluster Strategy for the Financial Sector, 

including, among others, the Zurich Financial Centre Website and a data monitoring, 

together with the Canton of Zurich, the Zurich Bank Association and other partners 

– Regular exchanges between the City, the financial centre, the Canton of Zurich and the 

Confederation 

13

03 

14 

Fertile soil for the creative industries 


With the third Creative Report of 2010, the City of Zurich confirmed its leading role in 

Switzerland in this area. With approximately 33,000 employees, the creative industries in 

Zurich achieved a turnover of 14 billion in 2008 and a gross Economic Value Added of 3.3 

billion Swiss Francs. Between 2005 and 2008 the employment rate increase by 18 percent 

in this sector. 

The creative economy includes all profit-oriented cultural and creative entities from the 

following sectors: music, literature and books, art, films, performing arts, design, architecture, 

broadcasting, advertising, the software and games industry, handicrafts, the press and 

phonographic technology. 

The increasingly scarce space for young, image-building creative people has proved to be a 

challenge in this area. 


� The City makes use of the high profile of the creative industries in Zurich and their 

potential for the positioning of Zurich in Switzerland and abroad. 

� Through its initiation of exchange platforms, the City strengthens the visibility of the 

creative industries of Zurich in Switzerland and abroad. 

� The City promotes the networking of those involved in the creative industries with 

relevant educational institutions, public and private cultural institutions, industry and 

tourist organisations. 

� The City supports the creative industries in their search for suitable, networkingfriendly 

premises; it is committed to providing premises at more favourable conditions.


– Promotion of platforms for dialogue, the formation of networks and other cluster activities 

– Periodic production of a Zurich Creative Industries Report together with the Canton of 

Zurich and specialised educational institutions 

– Provision of locations and real estate for interim use by creative industries and commerce, 

for example, the AMAG-Areal 

15

04 

16 

Promotion of life sciences and 

university medicine 


Around 10 to 15 percent of the Economic Value Added and about 9 percent of all jobs in the 

City are to be found in the life sciences and health care fields, including public and private 

hospitals, the social-medical institutions, self-employed doctors and other health care 

institutions. Women are strongly represented in this area, above all in care, and increasingly 

in the medical practice. 

The University, the University Hospital and the health-related research areas of the ETH 

work closely together; the University and the ETH, for example, have created a joint Life 

Sciences Department. This cooperation offers Zurich the special opportunities of integrated 

research in the internationally important field of life sciences as well as further development 

in the broader field of medicine (see Action Area 16). 

The great challenges in this area are the forthcoming fundamental reorganisation of hospitals 

and their financing as well as the desired concentration and position of excellence in 

medicine in Switzerland. A further challenge is the limited availability of space in the City of 

Zurich. 


� The City would like to remain an internationally significant location for top medicine; it 

supports the concentration and further development of the medical faculty, the health 

care-related research areas at ETH and at University Hospital at the locations Hochschulquartier 

and Lengg. 

� The City ensures that the results of top research are made directly available to the basic 

health care service – through intensive networking between the University Hospital, 

private clinics and municipal hospitals. 

� The City creates a favourable environment for companies and spin-offs from the univer- 

sities in the life sciences area.


– Intensification of the cooperation between municipal hospitals, the University Hospital and 

the universities with a view to an integrated health care 

– Participation in Strategic Development Planning USZ UZH ETH for a new University 

Hospital (see Action Area 01) 

– Support for the planning of a new children's hospital 

– Promotion of networking between companies and universities in the area of life sciences, 

for example, with a Life Sciences Park 

17

05 

18 

Space for sustainable industrial and 

commercial businesses 


The industrial and commercial sector in the City of Zurich is dominated by small businesses: 

Only 4 percent of the companies have 50 or more employees. The manufacturing 

sector currently employs 34,400 people. 

Following the decline of traditional industries in the 1980s, a new high-tech industry established 

itself in Zurich. It now employs 4,300 people and has huge growth potential. It 

benefits from its proximity to the universities and from the high level of education of the 

local population; in the meantime, many start-up companies have become part of this 

high-tech industry. These companies are frequently spin-offs from ETH, the University or 

the Universities of Applied Sciences. 

There are still traditional, craftsman-orientated commercial operations in Zurich, which 

contribute to the diversity of Zurich but face the increasing problem of finding suitable 

locations within the City; the procurement of space for commerce is a great challenge. 


� The City ensures that there are locations available for industry and commerce by 

building regulations. 

� The City responds to the concerns of local companies and creates a good environment 

for smaller businesses. 

� The City is committed to the implementation of regulatory requirements, which is both 

customer and business friendly and aims for a reduction in the level of regulations. 

� The City promotes the creation and residence of new high-tech and other promising 

operations. 

� The City is committed to regional property management for the purpose of creating 

commercial areas, especially high-tech industrial parks.


– Support of high-tech spin-offs from ETH, the University and the Universities of Applied 

Sciences, as well as start-ups in the industrial and commercial areas, with the cooperation 

of private foundations (Effort Foundation) and banks (see Action Area 01) 

– Examination of a participation in a Seed-Money fund in combination with consultation 

services for young entrepreneurs 

– Regular exchange between the City Council and representatives from industry and 

commerce 

– Implementation of the measures mentioned in the Business-Friendly City of Zurich Study, 

with particular attention to the simplification and better coordination of procedures within 

the administration 

19

06 

20 

Promoting Zurich as a destination 


The City of Zurich is one of the most popular travel destinations in Switzerland. It records 

each year around 16 million day visitors, 2.4 million overnight stays in the city and a further 

839,000 at the airport. The total tourist demand triggers direct and indirect sales of around 

3.6 billion Swiss Francs in a variety of business sectors, above all in accommodation, 

restaurants, bars and the retail trade. The tourism sector employs around 17,000 people 

representing approximately 7 percent of all jobs in the City of Zurich; many of which have a 

less demanding job profile. 

In the last 10 – 11 years, Zurich has strengthened its position in the international arena, 

thanks to the cooperation between the City and the Canton of Zurich, Zurich Tourism and 

the Greater Zurich Area. There is, however, potential for improvement with regard to integrated 

location and destination marketing (see Action Area 12). 


� The City is committed to ensuring that the Zurich area will be promoted more intensely 

by Zurich Tourism, the Greater Zurich Area, and the Canton and City of Zurich in 

thesense of integrated destination marketing. 

� The City promotes sustainable tourism together with Zurich Tourism. 

� The City ensures that the “Zürich” brand will be in a stronger international position with 

a clear profile. 

� The City continues to position itself internationally as a cultural and creative city – 

together with partner organisations. 

� The City actively promotes itself as a host city for international conventions and special 

events that are consistent with its image: it makes every effort to ensure that an international 

sporting event, such as a European or World Championship, takes place in 

Zurich every two years on average. 

� The City promotes Zurich as a conference location with its new, internationally oriented 

congress centre. 

� The City and the commercial City Vereinigung Zürich are committed to ensuring an 

attractive city centre with the highest quality of public space and a wide range of retail 

and gastronomic possibilities. 

� The City is committed to fast and direct international rail and air connections.


– Implementation of integrated destination marketing for the positioning of the “Zürich” 

brand, together with Zurich Tourism, the Canton of Zurich and the Greater Zurich Area 

– Participation in international exhibitions and trade fairs in order to make the qualities and 

achievements of the City of Zurich better known internationally 

– Development and implementation of measures to improve the perception of the public 

and private sector cultural offers at local, national and international level 

– Realisation of a new Zurich Congress Centre (see Action Area 01) 

– Implementation of the projects listed in the Inner City Concept 2008 

– Hosting the European Athletics Championships in 2014 

21

How do we 

maintain our 

quality of life? 

Zurich's well-known high quality of life, with its climate of social peace, a 

high level of security in public space, a functioning infrastructure, a well 

developed public transport system and a high environmental quality, is not 

a matter of course. In order for the quality of life to remain high, action is 

essential in the entire range of municipal tasks, together with a cosmopolitan 

and committed attitude among the local population. 

The following areas of action will be used to show how Zurich's attractiveness 

and diversity should also be guaranteed in the future. 

23

07 

24 

Promotion of a cosmopolitan and 

international spirit 


Zurich's position in the world is not due to the size of the City but to its strong international 

network. This network is based on the international and cosmopolitan outlook of companies 

that are based in Zurich as well as on the population, which is made up of people from 

approximately 170 nations. Thanks to the high quality of life and attractive education and 

jobs, the City continues to attract companies and people from all over the world. In view of 

accentuated international immigration, however, it is a challenge to counter fears of displacement 

and to maintain an open attitude as one of the central characteristics of Zurich. 


� The City maintains an active welcoming culture; new arrivals are welcomed and are 

informed about all aspects of the City of Zurich. 

� Through its services and offers, the City reaches out, with its usual quality, to meet the 

needs of the entire population; where necessary, official information is available in 

different languages. 

� The City maintains relationships with cities in other countries and promotes intercultural 

exchanges with their inhabitants (see Action Area 17). 

� The City participates in the development of a cosmopolitan and pragmatic integration 

policy at national and cantonal level.

Leading projects and initiaitves 

– Further development of a multi-lingual web portal with important basic information for 

immigrants and for tourists 

– Launch of new projects in accord with existing city partnerships and with other selected 

cities for the promotion of cultural exchange 

– Further implementation of the municipal language support concept 

– Creation of good conditions for international schools 

– Continuous development of the municipal integration policy based on the 2009 Integration 

Report 

25

08 

26 

Promotion of good co-existence 


Around 385,000 people of different cultural backgrounds and different economic opportunities 

live in Zurich in various types of households. There are also the 200,000 people who 

commute daily to the City for work. This results in broad social diversity, an important 

quality of the City, but also a challenge. Different lifestyles and values come together, and a 

more intensified use of public space because of a changing leisure behaviour leads to 

conflicts of interest. In addition, changing needs and demands for urban infrastructure 

requirements affect the solidarity between the generations. 

The City on its own cannot ensure the good co-existence and the active social participation 

of the entire population. It can, however, promote these concepts with measures that focus 

on personal freedoms, safety, gender awareness, the avoidance of segregation and the 

concerns of people with disabilities or special needs. 


� The City follows innovative paths in social security in order to minimise the risk of 

poverty. 

� The City counters tendencies towards spatial social separation and polarisation 

through an adequate housing and social policy. 

� The City places priority on areas with special burdens and deteriorating tendencies in 

order to aim for a high quality of life in all districts. 

� The City creates the conditions for civil society engagement and vibrant neighbourhoods. 

� The City is committed to ensuring better integration of people with disabilities. 

� The City aims to achieve a balance between the 24-hour city and the needs of the 

residents; it looks for solutions to the increasing demand for city sanitation, security 

and mobility. 

� The City guarantees all population groups a high level of security and high quality 

amenities in public spaces.

Leading projects and initatives 

– Development of new offers for the supplementary labour market together with the private 

sector; provision of employment opportunities for asylum seekers 

– Containing sex trade excesses to make prostitution more compatible with the City. 

Prevention of forced prostitution as well as health protection in the red-light districts 

– Promotion of civil engagement within the context of the four-year goal: Citizen Participation 

in Urban Development 

– Development of a strategy for the aging population in the City of Zurich 

– Implementation of a municipal event strategy to achieve a balance between the need for 

attractive events and the residents need for peace and quiet 

– Development of new preventive measures to reduce crime by young people 

– Implementation of the Gender Equality 2010 Master Plan 

27

09 

28 

Outstanding educational opportunities 

at all levels 


The population of the City of Zurich is well educated. About 40 percent of adults in Zurich 

have higher education qualifications, considerably more than in the surrounding areas. This 

percentage is even higher among the younger generations and new arrivals. 

The basis for the high level of education is created, on the one hand, by the elementary 

school. Although the responsibility for this lies with the canton, concrete models can be 

considerably influenced by the City. On the other hand, the dual education system with a 

high permeability between vocational training and universities makes a considerable 

contribution to the level of education. The City itself also offers a wide range of further 

education, which is chosen by many. 

Rising expectations in the course of social pluralism confront the elementary school with 

great challenges, however. The timely provision of school buildings, which meet today's 

requirements demands a large allocation of financial resources from the City. 


� The City supports educational institutions by providing good framework conditions. 

� The City is committed to increasing the attractiveness of the teaching profession 

because elementary schools fulfil an important and fundamental social function. 

� The City aims to achieve equal opportunity by offering a variety of educational programmes 

at all levels, promotes forward-looking school models, encourages poorly 

educated population groups and supports outstanding talent. 

� The City expands the range of daily structures available within the school environment 

according to perceived needs where this can be justified financially. 

� The City expands early education possibilities in order to guarantee favourable starting 

conditions for all children.


– Support and job enrichment for the teaching staff 

– Implementation of the School as a Living Environment 2010-Project 

– Provision of school space in accordance with the current school space planning 

– Development of the School 2020-Concept 

– Implementation of the Promotion of the Highly Gifted Project 

– Implementation of measures from the four-year-goal of Early Support – 

Good Starting Opportunities for All Children 

29

10 

30 

Development of a diverse residential city 


Zurich has a wide range of housing for different lifestyles and needs. Although there are a 

few undeveloped building zones left, current construction and zoning regulations permit 

growth of the resident population to well above 400,000 people due to an increased construction 

density. 

High quality construction densification creates great demands on the environment, neighbourhood 

amenities and infrastructure. Due to the attractiveness of Zurich and the large 

living space consumption per head, the demand for housing greatly exceeds the available 

supply despite intensive building activity over the last few years. In this tight market situation, 

non-profit housing promoted by the City through the provision of “Baurecht” (i.e. the 

City remains landowner) becomes increasingly important for the socio-spatial mix. 

In view of the foreseeable growth of the population and the dwindling of its own land 

reserves, the City is faced with the question of how the proportion of affordable housing 

can be maintained. A further challenge is presented by often out-dated, but thereby relatively 

affordable housing with regard to the increasing requirements placed on buildings – 

this above all in view of the 2000-Watt-Society. 


� Through its policy actions with regard to land and real estate, the City promotes the 

social mix in the neighbourhoods. 

� In new development areas and areas with a potential for increased construction 

densification, the City aims to achieve high quality development including the provision 

of green, leisure areas, schools, a social infrastructure and shopping facilities; the 

basis for this development are models that add to the 'Spatial Development Strategy 

RES' paper. 

� The City continues to promote the construction of affordable housing and ensures a 

proportion of at least 25 percent of its total portfolio of non-profit apartments. 

� The City consistently focuses on the social and socio-spatial aspects in the municipal 

and city-subsidised housing construction and in terms of a comprehensive understanding 

of sustainability; this will thereby also pave the way towards the 2000-Watt- 

Society.


– Review of the building and zoning regulations (see Action Area 11) 

– Implementation of the housing policy positions of the City Council within the context of 

the four-year-goal of Citizen Participation in Urban Development 

– Drawing up development models for selected areas within the context of the four-yeargoal 

of Citizen Participation in Urban Development 

– Simplification of procedures and requirements in residential and other construction 

projects with appropriate supervision 

– Integration of residential nursing groups into municipal retirement housing 

– Examination of cost drivers in terms of housing in the City of Zurich 

– Launch of an award for sustainable housing renovations 

31

11 

32 

Structural development and maintenance of 

urban and natural space 


Zurich benefits from an advantageous location on a lake and among wooded 

hills. Distances are short and the inhabited area is compact and clearly defined. 

The City has an attractive and well maintained appearance due to the careful handling of 

buildings, roads and squares, as well as green and natural zones. Through the re-utilisation 

of former industrial sites, new districts have arisen that establish urban development 

accents and in which building will continue. 

Major constructional changes and densification are also pending in various residential and 

mixed areas. This results in increased utilisation pressure on open and green areas. In 

addition to safeguarding urban qualities, this represents a central challenge. Because of 

further increases in the development of urban space and the maintenance of natural space, 

a regional approach is necessary. 


� The City works closely with surrounding municipalities. 

� Within the context of Spatial Development Strategy RES, the City follows sustainable 

urban development with a focus on high quality construction. This ensures that the 

neighbourhoods are provided with a good range of public green and open areas. 

� The City ensures that the different characteristics of city neighbourhoods remain 

clearly identifiable; secondary and neighbourhood centres are strengthened further, in 

addition to the city centre. 

� The City aims to transform traffic-dominated street spaces into liveable city areas with 

many uses. 

� The City will ensure that the Zurich North and Zurich West development areas will be 

directly linked to each other by public transport. 

� The City makes suitable areas available as temporary free spaces. 

� The City ensures that scenic and natural spaces, above all with regard to forests and 

shore areas, are carefully maintained, their attractiveness increased and their utilisation 

actively managed.


– Implementation of the Spatial Development Strategy RES 

– Review of building and zoning regulations (see Action Area 10) 

– Dialogue with the public regarding the development of the city within the context of the 

four-year-goal of Citizen Participation in Urban Development 

– Realisation of car-free city squares and neighbourhood parks, as well as the upgrading of 

urban space 

– Provision of areas as temporary free spaces available for utilisation – for example, the 

Schütze-Areal 

– Promotion of biodiversity in the City of Zurich 

33

12 

34 

Development of the wide range of cultural, 

leisure and sporting offers 


Zurich's rich cultural life is a part of the first-class quality of life offered by the City. Development 

of a wide range of public and private cultural, leisure and sports amenities includes 

well-known venues such as the Opernhaus (Opera House), the Schauspielhaus (Theatre), 

the Tonhalle (Concert Hall), the Hallenstadion and the Letzigrund Stadium, as well as many 

venues for theatre and dance, music clubs, a variety of museums, internationally important 

art galleries, alternative cultural centres and an attractive film scene. In addition, an attractive 

club scene enlivens Zurich's nightlife. Festivals, such as the Zürcher Theater Spektakel 

(theatre festival) and many other well-known cultural events are held every year (see Action 

Area 06). 

Zurich supports artists and ensures a creative climate that is also reflected in active, 

creative industries. There is still a need to do more in the areas of childhood and youth 

culture. 


� The City operates a dedicated and widely based cultural policy as part of its cultural 

mission; it supports promising private initiatives for new cultural events or institutions. 

� The City focuses on international networking in the cultural sector; it profits and learns 

from others and is prepared to pass on its own know-how. 

� The City ensures that as many people as possible have access to culture. 

� The City recognises that artistic expression is dependent on spaces and niches; 

it therefore supports efforts to obtain or create these. 

� The City promotes art in public spaces. 

� The City ensures that there are enough sports facilities for both top-level and mass 

sport. 

� The City promotes safe sport and leisure events and combats hooliganism.


– Implementation of cultural projects within the context of the four-year-goal of Zurich: City 

of Culture and Creativity 

– Realisation of cultural buildings in cooperation with private individuals/institutes – such as 

the expansion of the Kunsthaus and the Kunstareal Löwenbräu 

– Long-term protection of properties that represent the cultural heritage of Zurich – such as 

the Heidi-Weber-Haus and the Cabaret Voltaire 

– Provision of a wide range of suitable premises for artists 

– Strengthening of the existing cultural exchange programmes, such as studios abroad, 

studio exchange, artists-in-residence and scholarships abroad; consideration of new 

forms of exchange within the context of the four-year-goal of Zurich: City of Culture and 

Creativity 

– Realisation of specific cultural activities to promote the expression and presentation skills 

of children 

– Realisation and renovation of sport facilities for both top-level and mass sport within the 

context of the Sport Facilities Concept of 2010 – 2014 

35

13 

36 

Planning city-friendly mobility 


Zurich's mobility functions well. The reasons for this, among others, are the favourable 

modal split, the relatively low motorisation of the urban population and the coexistence 

of the various modes of transport. Special traffic lanes and the preferential treatment of 

trams and buses at traffic signals create a precondition for the high modal split of public 

transport in the City. 

Abroad, Zurich transport policy is regarded as exemplary, but it is not without controversy 

locally, as traffic is the most commonly mentioned problem in city surveys. Public 

transport always receives good ratings, although the situation for bicycle traffic is regarded 

as inadequate. The further development of the City, continuing large-scale urban sprawl, 

functional separation and the trend towards a leisure society lead to increasing traffic 

volumes. These developments challenge the sensitive transport system and demand 

intensified regional cooperation. 


� Together with partner organisations, the City is looking for long-term, innovative 

solutions for the future of urban mobility in terms of the 2000-Watt-Society. 

� The City deals with the problem of increasing traffic by improving the service and 

attractiveness of public transport, as well as pedestrian and bicycle traffic; it does this 

by following the comprehensive mobility strategy aimed at changing the modal split in 

favour of these forms of transport. 

� The City designs public spaces that can be used by everyone, in particular by disabled 

people, the elderly and children; obstacles and safety risks will be reduced. 

� The City looks for city-friendly solutions to handle the motorised traffic and improving 

air quality in heavily polluted areas.


– Participation in cross-border, interdisciplinary discussion platforms on urban and traffic 

development, for example, in the context of the Greater Zurich Regional Planning Association 

(RZU) or the Metropolitan Conference 

– Implementation of the Future of Urban Mobility Project 

– Prioritisation of public transport as well as walking and cycling inpublic areas; public 

transport as well as pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be better linked to the S-Bahn 

(regional railway) 

– Realisation of a 'Bicycle' master plan with the focus on increasing bicycle use 

– Development of mobility counselling to raise awareness on the importance of sustainable 

urban mobility in terms of the population and the economy 

– Implementation of the Barrier-free building in public spaces concept 

– Neighbourhood-friendly design and support of the 'Schwamendingen Einhausung' project 

37

14 

38 

Good environmental quality and sustainable 

energy supply 


Zurich's environmental quality is good. The City has committed itself to good environmental 

conditions and a sustainable energy supply since the early 1980s. The basis for this, in 

addition to the legal mandate and the obligations of the health policy, is the awareness that 

good environmental quality is a big advantage in location competition. The City has set up 

its own administration in a sustainable manner and has created incentives for environmentally 

conscious and energy-efficient actions from the population, has made great efforts to 

reduce air and noise pollution and has introduced environmental reporting. 

In 2008, the City of Zurich anchored the goals of the 2000-Watt-Society in its municipal 

code through a public referendum. This involves reducing today's consumption of primary 

energy per head towards one-third and greenhouse gas emissions by one-sixth by 2050. 

Noise pollution in numerous areas remains a great challenge. 


� The City works on further improving the environmental quality, above all with regard to 

noise. 

� The City makes efforts to further reduce air pollutants, including fine particle and ozone 

pollution and their associated health risks. 

� Within the context of a progressive energy, environmental and climate protection policy, 

the City aims to achieve a sustainable, cost-efficient energy supply of the highest 

quality without new nuclear power stations. It also aims to achieve a reduction in 

energy consumption and CO2 emissions in accordance with the goals of the 

2000-Watt-Society. 

� The City evaluates the locally available potential for renewable energy in the heating 

sector and, when practical, makes use of them within the context of their possibilities. 

� The City supports the further development and utilisation of electro-mobility, as well as 

pedestrian and bicycle traffic. 

� The City promotes energy-saving building practices thereby taking into account the 

problems of grey energy, as well as social and economic aspects. 

� The City awards contracts based on the principles of sustainable procurement and 

purchases accordingly.


– Implementation of the Environment Master Plan 

– Revision of the Energy Master Plan according to the goals of the 2000-Watt-Society, 

including an update of communal energy planning and expansion of ewz energy services 

– Realisation of noise prevention measures in a manner that is compatible with municipal 

space within the deadlines laid down by the Confederation 

– Evaluation of rapidly effective air cleanliness measures in cooperation with the Canton 

and the Confederation 

– Safeguarding water protection as the basis for a secure water supply 

– Implementation of the four-year Smart Electric Drive Project 

39

15 

40 

An efficient and secure infrastructure 


Zurich's well developed and efficient infrastructure makes a significant contribution to the 

high quality of life and the attractiveness of the City. Zurich Airport, which handles international 

connections, is of major importance for the City, Greater Zurich and Switzerland. The 

public transport service (VBZ) transports almost 860,000 passengers every day on its 500 

km-long route network with 400 stops. The municipal ewz distribution network, with 15 

substations, more than 700 transformer stations and more than 3,000 km of cables, is 

continuously maintained. The planned comprehensive build-up of a glass-fibre network by 

ewz in cooperation with Swisscom will provide access to state-of-the-art communication 

services in the future The water supply service company ensures the supply of drinking 

water with three water plants, 21 reservoirs and 29 pump stations. Almost 1,000 km of 

public sewers below ground transfer sewage to the Werdhölzli sewage plant. The waste 

incineration plants at Hagenholz and Josefstrasse convert combustible waste into electricity 

and remote heat. The maintenance, renewal and expansion of this infrastructure remains 

a continuous challenge. 


� The City ensures that the production and efficiency goals for a reliable, environmental 

and climate friendly electricity supply will be met in accordance with the study 

The Electricity Future of the City of Zurich. 

� The City is taking on a pioneering role with regard to the provision of information and 

communication technology networks. 

� The City is expanding the VBZ route network according to the Route Network Study 

2025, and is thereby making the necessary depots and siding facilities available. 

� The City guarantees the safe and reliable supply of drinking water by maintaining the 

standards of the three production sites and the distribution network. 

� The City is expanding the local and remote heat supply. 

� The City will ensure that the forces in the recycling of waste and sewage in the Canton 

of Zurich will be bundled. 

� The City is committed to promoting sustainable development of the Zurich Airport, with 

attentiveness to producing as little pollution as possible.


– Significant investment in Switzerland and abroad in renewable energy from wind, sun and 

biomass 

– Focus on ecology and the protection of water power through expansion and re-concessioning 

– Optimisation of the ICT infrastructure in the Zurich area in cooperation with partners from 

industry and science within the context of the four-year-goal of eZurich – for example, 

with the ewz glass-fibre network 

– Realisation of the tram connection Hardbrücke and the tram tangent Rosengarten 

– Utilisation of organic waste for the creation of renewable energy 

– Concentration of waste recycling at one location (Hagenholz) 

41

16 

42 

Promotion of health and integrated 

health care 


All population groups in the City of Zurich have access to medical care. In addition, Zurich's 

wide range of recreation and sport facilities offers an excellent environment for individual 

health care. Because of the great economic importance of health, the City is also directly 

involved in promoting health in schools and among its employees. 

Integrated health care is faced with great challenges: firstly due to ongoing demographic 

changes and the increase in social and environmental diseases and secondly due to increasingly 

scarce personnel resources and uncertain funding (see Action Area 04). 


� The City guarantees access to medical care to all population groups and aims at 

intensive cooperation among all the providers of health care services. 

� The City is established as a centre of expertise for the elderly and promotes independence 

and well-being for the elderly through suitable services. 

� The City encourages awareness of adequate exercise, healthy diet and sport in the 

elementary schools. 

� The City supports mass sport and a variety of sporting clubs; special attention is 

thereby paid to gender issues. 

� The City promotes daily exercise and relaxation with its numerous green and open 

spaces and its attractive pedestrian and bicycle areas. 

� The City makes its employees aware of the importance of healthy living and working. 

� The City, with partner organisations, develops strategies for the training and maintenance 

of personnel in the health care and nursing sectors.


– Promotion of medical services for the family and the elderly as an important pillar of 

integrated health care 

– Development of a periodic health report 

– Further establishment of the Health Network Association 2025 initiated by the City of 

Zurich as a platform for cooperation among health care providers 

– Developing an umbrella strategy for health and prevention at school 

– Expansion of the wide range of sporting and exercise facilities available under attractive 

conditions 

– Implementation of the Promotion of Health at Work Project 

43

How do we 

organise 

ourselves? 

The City of Zurich must fulfil its mission in a complex environment with 

numerous public and private actors and a wide range of demands. The City 

regards its strong position in the economic area as an obligation to careful 

and partnerlike approaches. Where there is tension regarding the protection 

of interests, cooperation and use of means the City Council relies on a 

responsible and partnerlike approach with the various actors, both inside 

and outside of the City. 

45

17 

46 

Working together as partners, also across 

borders 


The City of Zurich is involved in a variety of functional and institutional relationships. It rarely 

acts alone, but rather in cooperation with other involved parties, whether they be public 

bodies, private companies, non-government organisations, grassroot groups or property 

owners. Partner cooperation and the search for mutually acceptable solutions is required. 

Zurich is the core city of the most important Swiss economic area and is considered to be a 

'Global City'. In the regional and supra-regional context, however, its power to influence 

decisions remains somewhat weak, for which the Zurich Metropolitan Conference should, 

above all, provide some assistance. At an international level, the challenge consists of being 

able to benefit within the context of city partnerships and targeted contacts from experiences 

made elsewhere. There is also the element of passing on its own experience. 


� The City maintains good cooperations with community associations and business 

federations. 

� The City approaches major projects, such as urban planning and community development 

concepts, with a participatory attitude and in dialogue with the population and the 

property owners. 

� In the case of major projects, the City increasingly looks for suitable partner organisations 

and forms of cooperation; it also offers its services to surrounding municipalities 

and cities. 

� Within the context of the Swiss Cities Associations and the Zurich Metropolitan Conference, 

the City promotes better framework conditions and stronger positioning for cities 

and metropolitan areas. 

� The City seeks collaborative partnerships with the Canton and the surrounding communities, 

as well as in existing inter-municipal organisations in order to achieve synergies 

and efficient cooperation. 

� The City maintains contacts with other cities in Switzerland and other European countries 

and mutually exchanges know-how, takes part in their city partnerships and in 

cooperative international projects (see Action Area 07).


– Strengthening the cooperation with local residents and organisations within the context of 

the four-year-goal of Citizen Participation in Urban Development 

– Advocacy for the interests of the cities in the Swiss Cities Association, in the Zurich 

Metropolitan Area Association, in the Tripartite Agglomeration Conference and in the 

Association of the Mayors of the Canton Zurich (GPV) 

– Ensuring exchanges with surrounding municipalities through regular meetings in the 

context of the RZU and the GPV 

– Realisation of joint projects in the area of security in cooperation with surrounding municipalities 

and the Canton 

– Exchange of knowledge and experience within international networks, above all in Europe, 

and with existing city partnerships 

– Involvement with cities that need to catch-up in certain areas and in positioning in global 

networks with sustainable orientations 

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48 

An efficient and quality-conscious 

City Administration 


The approximately 26,000 employees of the City provide high quality public services 

for Zurich's population and economy. For several years now, surveys have shown 

a continuous increase in public satisfaction with the City Administration. Nevertheless, the 

competition for good employees and managers is a challenge for the city administration. 

The increasing regulation density and more complex procedures due to higher security and 

quality demands need to be continually and critically examined, so that the capacity of the 

Zurich location for innovation and flexibility can be maintained. 

With a view to the tax burden of individuals and legal entities, public tasks must be fulfilled 

with the best possible price-performance ratio. Structures and procedures and the scope 

and the strategy of the public services must all be continually measured against the demand 

for «good administration» and be adapted where necessary. This requires flexibility 

and dedication from the City employees. 


� The City guarantees a use of means that leads to the goal through a healthy financial 

situation with a servicing of debts that is as low as possible. 

� The City Council sets priorities through its four-year-goal, thereby aiming at a timelimited 

concentration of forces in order to achieve ambitious, medium-term goals. 

� The City regularly weighs the structures and procedures of the administration against 

the tasks, optimising as and when needed; new directives should not lead to unnecessary 

procedures and standards. 

� The City is a modern employer and promotes an innovative working environment for an 

efficient administration capable of learning; it offers good employment conditions, the 

opportunity for personal development and possibilities to balance work and family. 

� The City is an exemplary entrepreneur and employer with regard to sustainable mobility. 

� The City aims to become a leading user of information and communication technologies 

– and offers innovative services in this area for the benefit of the local population 

and the economy.


– Improvement in expenditure control through integrated task and financial planning 

– Increased commitment to the simplification of procedures and the reduction of standards 

– Development of a procedure for estimating the consequences of regulation 

– Maintenance of an exemplary company structure in accordance with the urban model of 

One city, One Team, One Task 

– Provision of customer-friendly online services and measures to bridge the ”digital gap” 

within the context of the four-year-goal of eZurich 

– Implementation of the municipal vehicle fleet strategy and expansion of the mobility 

management in the City Administration 

49

Publisher: 

The City Council of Zurich 

Download: 

www.stadt-zuerich.ch/strategien2025 

Contact information: 

Office for Urban Development 

PO Box, 8022 Zurich, Switzerland 

Tel.: +41 (0)44 412 36 63, Fax: +41 (0)44 412 36 81 

www.stadt-zuerich.ch/stadtentwicklung 

Pictures: 

Christian Altorfer, Christine Bärlocher, Martin Bichsel, 

Claudia Breitschmid, Dominique Meienberg, 

Frank Schwarzbach (Light art: Gerry Hofstetter), 

Michael Sengers, Theodor Stalder, Antje Thiele, 

Gian Vaitl, Pia Zanetti, Reinhard Zimmermann 

Desair, ewz, remotephoto, City of Zurich, vision on wings, 

Zurich Tourism 

Final editing (German version): 

Textbüro Marius Leutenegger, Zurich, Switzerland 

Translation: 

Consultra AG, Zurich, Switzerland 

Design: 

Crafft Kommunikation AG, Zurich, Switzerland 

February 2011 

51

Zürich Strategies 2025 (PDF, 52 Pages, 2 MB - Stadt Zürich

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