7
Spatial Planning
Concerns All of Us!

Kindly supported by Cinémathèque suisse.

Our behavior affects the space around us. We decide where we live, how we travel and where we spend our free time. This impacts on space. Spatial planning is entirely in our hands. Spatial planning is democratic. Spatial planning allows everyone to participate.

We live, work, shop and go to the movies. We drive to the mountains and fly to the ocean. As a result, every one of us exerts influence on the space around us on a daily basis, use infrastructure, make demands on certain areas – and thus determine the appearance of our living space. We all are actors within the space. Our demands on the land are constantly on the rise.

Through spatial planning, the state, canton and community draw up the rules of the game that influence the design of our living space.

It is a question of forward-looking coordination of spatially effective practices; that is to say, differing usages of and demands on space have to be adapted to one another in order to avoid conflict. The rules apply to both public authorities and private landowners, for the protection and welfare of everyone. Our living space is a public commodity.

Thanks to Switzerland's direct democracy, voters can have a say in the decisions made regarding the rules and design of our living space. Spatial planning is democratic and allows everyone to participate; the authorities responsible for planning inform the population about planning projects and therefore ensure that the public is able to contribute to the process. This serves to clarify related concerns and needs. Collaborative methods apply to all those affected by a particular plan, not just those entitled to vote.

Apartment for a Family 1929 and 2010