The combination of Zurich’s population growth with political mandates of densification, the quality of public and open spaces becomes of great importance. Citizens are more likely to accept higher densities within their living environment if there are generally additional benefits as well. One of the most obvious surplus values in this regard is the simultaneous provision of high-quality urban and public spaces.

Given the limited spatial resources, one of the key strategies is to heighten and activate the positive interrelations between built structures, pre-zones, and public spaces. Including all these areas, it is essential that both private and public actors cooperate to increase the quality of public spaces. While the public sector can mainly invest in the design and maintenance of public spaces and streetscapes, private stakeholders are supposed to make their contribution through the configuration of the respective pre-zones as well as the type of ground floor use.

Best Practice: The project ’Axes and Squares’ prepares recommendations for landowners on how to adequately integrate their properties’ facades, pre-zones, and ground floor use along the most important public axes and squares. The recommendations are driven by guiding principles developed under the city’s overall planning concept.

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