Urban-Scape Switzerland

Commissioned by the foundation avenir suisse (Think Tank for Economic and Social Issues), this study examines modern-day Switzerland and its changing spatial reality. Describing settlement areas as either urban or rural is no longer apt as we now live in a collage of urban, suburban, and rural elements which together form conglomerations with several centres over large areas of land. This requires new political solutions, challenging the institutional framework of federalism and the concept of local government. This book comprises contributions by experts from the fields of architecture, sociology, geography, politics and economics, which take into account the various perspectives. The prominent Dutch architect Winy Maas from MVRDV presents as an outsider a qualified vision for a Switzerland of the future, and also provides visual material to illustrate other contributions. Whilst focusing on Switzerland as a case study, this book is a thought-provoking report on the gradual changes taking place in industrialised countries, and the conclusions which are drawn need not be limited to Switzerland.Bassand, Michel is the author of 'Urban-Scape Switzerland', published 2003 under ISBN 9783764369613 and ISBN 3764369612.