The trends of living in Switzerland

Digitization, climate change, aging and individualization: Various megatrends will influence the way we live in the future. But not all trendy forms of living will prevail.

Switzerland is growing: In the last 20 years, the population has increased by 20 percent to over

percent to more than 8.7 million people.

By 2050, the population is expected to reach 10.4 million, according to a forecast by the

Federal Statistical Office. In combination with the new

Spatial Planning Act, which came into force in 2014 (see also info box),

this will lead to more dense construction in Switzerland. As

data from FPRE show that Switzerland is taking up less and less land.

land area is being taken up, the average number of rooms is falling,

there is increasing (regulatory) pressure to increase occupancy density, and the number of

the number of terraced houses is decreasing in direct comparison with detached

detached single-family houses is increasing. In addition to denser construction, there are other megatrends that will determine how we live tomorrow:

Digitization

The "smart home" makes it possible to control various appliances in the household

devices in the home using a smartphone or tablet and can thus be operated

from a distance. Currently popular are, for example, the "smart" control of lamps, access to the

access to the surveillance camera via the Internet, the adjustment of the heating

heating temperature via an app, or robotic vacuum cleaners and mowers. Will the

breakthrough of the 5G Internet, there are likely to be further innovations in the future.

in the smart home sector that will make everyday life easier.

Climate change

Sustainability criteria are a strong focus for new buildings and renovations. Often the aim is to

reduction of CO emissions. However, climate change is also

other trends in the residential sector, such as urban gardening, where small areas

in which vegetables and herbs are grown for self-sufficiency, even on small areas such as one's own balcony,

vegetables and herbs for self-sufficiency. A

resource-saving way of living are also the so-called "Tiny Houses" and

and micro-apartments, which generally offer around 20 to 35 square meters of

of space. The second form of housing could be used in centers where housing is

where living space is very scarce and expensive.

Individualization

There are various alternative forms of housing that are enjoying a certain popularity within niches.

niches, but are unlikely to gain widespread acceptance.

will become established on a large scale. These include cluster apartments (combination of

of small apartments and shared apartments), residential studios (combination of residential and

(a combination of living space and free studio space), serviced apartments

(furnished apartment for short, medium and longer stays) and

Co-living (shared temporary living). The proportion of older people in the total population is steadily increasing. Therefore

therefore becoming more and more important, which is having an impact on the demand

influence on the demand for the different apartment sizes as well as on the

as well as on the type of housing. However, fewer and fewer older people want to move

a traditional retirement home. Many people want to remain independent

is the wish of many. For example, there are retirement communities

where several older people share a single-family home, or senior citizen

retirement communities for independent living. More frequently

multigenerational living, where young and old share a household.

share a household. In addition, over the next few years, more and more

more single-family homes will become vacant in the next few years, as owner-occupied homes become

baby boom generation are becoming a burden.

The Swiss Spatial Planning Act

The new federal law on spatial planning (Spatial Planning Act, RPG) was approved

by the Swiss electorate in March 2013 and came into force in May 2014.

2014. Under the RPG, the federal government, cantons and municipalities ensure,

that "the land is used economically", that "the development of settlements is directed

inwards" and that "residential and work areas" are "planned primarily in

and that "residential and work areas" are planned "with emphasis on locations that are also

public transport".