Swiss cities seek first right of refusal to land

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Affordable housing is scarce in many Swiss cities. The main reason for this is the scarcity of construction land. According to one survey, the association of cities sees pre-emption on land as a solution for cities. Now it’s up to politics.

Two-thirds of cities and urban communities have very little living space, according to the study, as the Federal Housing Office (BWO) announced on Thursday. The housing policy survey was conducted on behalf of the BWO and the Swiss Association of Cities (SSV).

A call to politics

More than 80 percent of cities state that they do not have sufficient construction site reserves. Many want to buy more land. This is often unrealistic due to high market prices. According to the BWO, the procedures are often complex and private investors are not very interested.

That’s why 60 percent of all cities surveyed see “high” or “very high need for action” at the federal policy level. As a possible solution, 80 percent of cities surveyed most frequently named construction land and real estate a preemptive right.

Particularly affected families

Cheap living space is a major housing policy concern of cities, but the current supply of flats is scarce. The lack of affordable housing particularly affects households with children. 68 percent of the cities that participated in the survey state that they have transferred the lands with the right to build, which they have attached to conditions such as low rent. The goal is to create more affordable housing.

The union of cities will now formulate measures and demands. According to the BWO, participants in a discussion led by Bundestag Guy Parmelin (63) on May 12 will also address the issue of housing shortages. Representatives from cantons, cities and municipalities, as well as from the construction and real estate sectors were invited.

For the survey, the consulting agency Wüest Partner surveyed 130 members of the association of cities from November to December 2022, as BWO wrote. 59 provinces participated in the survey. (SDA)

Source :Blick