Zurich Primer. A Propositional Planning Vision for the City

Building on the historical analysis presented in Zürich Atlas: An Archaeology of Urban Codes and Forms, Zurich Primer: A Propositional Planning Vision for the City shifts the focus from how urban codes have shaped the city to how these codes may need to adapt to future demands. Central to this inquiry is the challenge of inward densification: integrating an estimated 100,000 additional residents over the coming decades within Zurich’s existing administrative boundaries, as required by Swiss spatial planning law. The book argues that population growth cannot be addressed through housing alone, but must be accompanied by parallel investments in infrastructure, public buildings, mobility systems, employment spaces, and shared amenities. Structured around five thematic fields - housing; movement and public realm; heritage; public buildings and spaces; and employment - the Primer combines analytical drawings of current conditions with carefully developed spatial scenarios. By oscillating between urban and architectural scales, the book articulates a holistic, propositional approach to qualitative densification, advocating the reuse and adaptation of existing structures, reduced environmental impact, and a rethinking of urban codes to support a more compact, sustainable, and socially balanced future for Zurich.