Zurich: Dialogues on Urban Densification

The current exhibition at ZAZ Bellerive, ‘Zurich: Dialogues on Densification’, focuses on Zurich’s existing built environment, which serves as a starting point for potential future developments. Existing urban planning codes are not only acknowledged but also critically examined: are they still fit for the challenges of tomorrow?

Upon entering the foyer, visitors are greeted by an impressive 1:1000 scale model of Zurich. The city model, designed over six semesters since 2017 by students from Studio Sergison at the Accademia di architettura, forms the centrepiece of the exhibition. It is deliberately designed to be adaptable and serves as a projection surface for possible future scenarios.

In the wake of this seemingly sublime miniature, urban development is examined from various perspectives and key themes are explored: housing, public buildings, work, movement in public spaces and architectural heritage. Using familiar architectural examples – it feels as though Zurich is letting us in on a secret – it becomes clear just how much the city has developed so far according to clear rules. At the same time, it becomes clear why these rules need to be rethought today. For the framework conditions are changing noticeably: new forms of housing, different mobility habits and, not least, climate change are putting existing models to the test. The occupancy rate stands at almost 99 per cent. At the same time, a population growth of around 25 per cent is expected in the coming decades. Rising demand, a shortage of housing and increasing prices are putting considerable pressure on urban development. Visitors are introduced to this complex topic through texts, photos, maps and films.

A central theme of the exhibition is the multiple use of urban spaces. The roofs of infrastructure buildings, such as tram depots, are being turned into sports facilities; school buildings are being used for purposes beyond their original function; and transport areas are being reinterpreted. What was long considered a vision is already a reality in many places. The exhibition demonstrates how scarce resources can be managed both efficiently and creatively, and makes it clear that densification requires one thing above all else: precise, forward-looking planning.

Particular attention is paid to the characteristic neighbourhood and community centres. A photographic series illustrates the diversity of their architectural styles and highlights a shared quality: their sensitive integration into the surroundings. These outdoor spaces often feel like spacious, almost private gardens, yet remain open to the public. It is in this balance between intimacy and openness that their particular strength lies, a factor that should be inextricably linked to the future of Zurich.