Planning & Law

Spatial development in Switzerland is a joint responsibility of the federal government, the cantons, and the municipalities. The ARE has a supervisory role, but also performs planning tasks itself.

© Michelle Gosteli

Switzerland uses various instruments to manage spatial development.

• The Spatial Strategy for Switzerland sets out a framework that all levels of government have helped to develop.
• Sectoral plans are the Confederation's most important instrument for harmonising its spatial activities and coordinating them with those of the cantons.
• The federal government uses concept papers to set out its interests in downstream decisions.
• Structure plans are the central planning instrument of the cantons. They are used during spatial development planning to record all related activities that will have a spatial impact.
• The relevant pieces of legislation are the Spatial Planning Act and the Second Homes Act.