Multiple Centres for Wetzikon: Redevelopment of Kempten as a Local City Centre

Abstract

The task of Interdisciplinary Project Activity 2023 is to develop a test planning for future development of Wetzikon under diverse societal requirements. Wetzikon was among the fastest growing municipalities in Switzerland. The canton of Zurich defines Wetzikon as a centre of regional importance. Therefore, further population growth is predicted. The situation analysis of Wetzikon results in the following challenges. Current public spaces are inadequately designed for interactions between people. Spontaneous urbanity is hampered by absent opportunities. Short trips are often done by car, active modes fall short of their potential. Public transport is primarily used by commuters to supra-regional centres like Zurich and Rapperswil. It plays a subordinate role in local transportation. The resulting traffic situation separates neighborhoods and reduces the quality of stay in public spaces. Small-parcel structures and heterogeneous development standards increase the complexity of large-scale developments. There are few accessible public green spaces and they are often of low ecological quality. Different strategies are tested on their suitability to handle the challenges facing two population growth scenarios. The strategy “fill the gaps” involves building on undeveloped plots in the settlement area. “One centre” is based on the cantonal development strategies. It envisions to densify along Bahnhofstrasse and around Oberwetzikon. “Multiple centres” is based on the historical development of the former village centres. These former centres are developed as individual centres. The strategy „Multiple Centers“ is established as the most robust strategy using a methodology developed internally. Possible centres under this strategy are Unter- and Oberwetzikon, Robenhausen, and Kempten. As an alternative to current planning approaches, a design proposal is being developed. Kempten is designated as the focus area since other areas in Wetzikon are already undergoing planning for densification. The design proposal integrates measures in landscape planning, infrastructure, traffic planning all while considering the societal needs. The costs, revenues, and temporal dependencies are calculated for each measure and presented in an intervention plan.