‘Densification’ is the magic word for filling free spaces in the current land development of cities. This includes additions of new floors, building extensions, closure of gaps between buildings, and rearrangement of buildings themselves. Former parking spaces and industrial zones are used for this, being repurposed as land for residential buildings. Densification is a sensible way to build cities also from the viewpoint of sustainability. Less agricultural land is covered in concrete on the edges of the cities, and the already available urban infrastructure and street, electricity, water and telephone connections can be used.

 

In Switzerland, too, there are still some old industrial areas that have potential for rezoning. One of the best known of these is without doubt the Europaallee in Zurich. SBB (Swiss Federal Railways), the city of Zurich and the postal service have been working together on implementing this project since 2003. The new urban part of the city is connected to its current infrastructure and is linked to the local commercial and restaurant services.

 

However, very few densification projects have such a scale. Landolt Areal is a significantly smaller project that was completed at the same time. Fifty-two high-quality flats were built in the former production area of the Landolt winery. In order to create added value for the residents in this area highly influenced by urban development axes, the design by Bünzli & Courvoisier Architekten includes interleaving of the buildings with the surrounding green areas (such as Sihlhölzli and the Sihl riverside). High-quality products were used in the construction, ensuring sustainability through their better durability, for example.