Zurich’s airport communities can densify despite noise pollution

The airport communities of Oberglatt, Niederglatt and Niederhasli could increase in density – even though they are exposed to noise. The canton council decided this on Monday. The Greens wanted to prevent the construction of additional apartments to burden even more residents with aircraft noise.

With 147 yes votes to 23 no votes, the canton council changed the division of the three communities Oberglatt, Niederglatt and Niederhasli in the structure plan. These used to be regarded as ‘landscapes under pressure’, but nowadays they belong to the action area ‘urban residential landscape’.

This reorganization in the structure plan allows additional densification to be achieved in these communities that have already grown closer together. It would provide housing for approximately 5,000 people. The local authorities themselves were also in favor of the reorganization.

The Greens, the AL and some SP canton councilors were against the densification. The number of residents affected by aircraft noise would increase significantly, said Thomas Schweizer (Greens, Hedingen), who tabled the motion to reject the proposal. The planned densification is therefore a clear contradiction with the noise problem.

In addition, the airport can no longer comply with the aircraft noise index (ZFI), according to Schweizer. The ZFI stipulates that a maximum of 47,000 residents around the airport may be exposed to excessive noise.

A certain conflict of interest with airport policy cannot be explained away, admits FDP cantonal councilor Barbara Franzen (Niederweningen). The residential area of ​​these communities already has the character of an ‘urban residential landscape’.

SVP canton councilor Stefan Schmid, mayor of Niederglat, spoke out strongly in favor of densification. “Where else should settlement development take place?” he asked the left-wing council. Population growth makes densification necessary.

Schmid assured that the noise limits in Niederglat would be exceeded “only” in the first hour of the night. In Oberglatt, more companies are planned in the future where people currently live.

Construction director Martin Neukom (Greens) also supported the reorganization. It was a classic conflict of interest, he said. However, the potential for internal densification is there and the areas are already well developed. “And the three communities want this development.” (rbu/sda)