In a recent NZZ article by Jürg Zulliger, Andreas Schneider emphasizes that it is wrong to blame spatial planning experts indiscriminately^(("Housing Shortage: Spatial Planning Has Failed" / Wohnungsknappheit: Die Raumplanung ist gescheitert (nzz.ch)). He states: "What ultimately appears in the plans corresponds to what is politically acceptable."
🛑 Sibylle Wälty sees it differently.
The current plans often reflect inadequately prepared spatial planning (see the explanatory video: "More Housing in Cities" [youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com)).
🔍 Lack of Interest Balancing: Not all interests are identified.
📊 Insufficient Impact Assessment: The effects of different decisions are not comprehensively calculated and presented.
⚖️ Lack of Weighing: Interests are not weighed against each other.
❌ What is presented to politicians and the voting population as spatial planning often lacks a goal-oriented fundamental strategy. As Miriam Lüdi states in the mentioned NZZ article, I also believe that the core task of internal development is not being implemented by those preparing spatial planning.
👉 The goal is not to assign blame but to recognize problems and find solutions.
As a researcher, science communicator, lecturer, and CEO of an innovative start-up, I believe it is our responsibility to enable spatial planners, specialized authorities, politicians, and society to better understand spatial planning contexts and ensure that spatial planning is more comprehensive and sustainable.
Examples:
📄 Cantonal, regional, and municipal master plans: 100-page planning documents that consist mainly of prose and repetitions that can also be found in textbooks on spatial planning. They contain very few clear and strategic guidelines that one would expect from master plans.
📉 Most, if not all, cantonal master plans and building and zoning regulations: No data-based engagement with the effects of densities on the modal split.
These examples show that spatial planning has been poorly prepared. For politicians, who are generally not experts, these deficiencies are likely difficult to recognize.
Contact Resilientsy if we can help you improve spatial planning.
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