Switzerland is facing a challenge.
Its growing population is an issue for the urban development of the cantons, and calls for the principle of urbanisation to be balanced against the need to preserve the landscape.
The main aim of the revision of LAT 2 is to strike a balance between the needs of modern urban life and landscape protection.
The aim is to protect arable land, preserve natural areas and limit construction outside building zones.
In this article, we explore in more detail the principle behind the revision of this law and look at Switzerland’s existing legislation on the challenges of urbanisation and landscape conservation.
We will then discuss the positions of the various political parties on the subject of building outside building zones.
Finally, we’ll look at the restrictions imposed on the world of agriculture.
The revision of the LAT 2 law: one more step or a crucial turning point for Switzerland?
In fact, both!
The aim of this process is to adapt existing legislation to the challenges of urban development and landscape conservation.
The balance is still fragile, because the revision proposes measures to better regulate construction outside the building zone and to give more power to the cantons in building planning.
Of course, differences of opinion are at the heart of the debate, and questions are being asked about the level of regulation and the division of responsibilities between the federal level and the cantons.
What can be said about existing legislation in Switzerland on this subject?
The Town and Country Planning Act came into force in 1979.
This establishes a regulatory framework for planning and land use in Switzerland.
The LAT defines building zones, i.e. :
- areas intended for urban development and construction.
- non-buildable areas, i.e. agricultural land, natural areas and landscapes to be protected.
It also aims to prevent the dispersal of construction outside the planned zones.
This is known as urban sprawl.
The guidelines and rules for spatial planning are set out in cantonal master plans and municipal land use plans, at regional and local levels.
Lastly, the cantons have a degree of autonomy to adapt the rules to suit their specific regional circumstances.
Sprawl in Switzerland varies from canton to canton, due to regional differences and the specific spatial planning policies of each canton.
What do the various political parties have to say about urban sprawl and this revision?
The FDP insists that the cantons should take responsibility for planning the built environment, and supports a decentralised approach and less restrictive regulations at federal level.
The SP, joined by the Greens, wants to preserve natural areas, landscapes and farmland. They are in favour of limiting construction outside building zones.
The SVP and CVP take a more nuanced approach, seeking to strike a balance between the interests of the various stakeholders.
What about the restrictions on farming?
The LAT imposes various restrictions on agriculture:
- regulations on extensions to farm buildings.
- restrictions on the use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes.
- measures to preserve natural areas.
Fortunately, measures and support programmes have been put in place to help farmers and contribute to more sustainable methods. These include organic farming, agroforestry and crop rotation to fertilise the soil and limit the use of chemicals.
Since 15 June 2023, the National Assembly has adopted the revision of the LAT 2 and opposes the popular initiative “against the concreting of our landscape”.
The cantons will be responsible for stabilising the number of new buildings in non-constructible areas within 5 years.
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