Space Invaders

Switzerland loves a referendum and this Sunday they go to the polls to vote on the Urban Sprawl Initiative. So what is it all about? The initiative was put forward by the young greens who believe that there is too much urban development and that a previous initiative to restrict construction, (the 2013 spacial planing initiative) is not rigorous enough and should be enshrined in the Swiss constitution rather than in legislation. 

Support for the initiative comes from the Young Greens (obviously,) as well as the Swiss Socialist Party and environmental groups such as Mountain Wilderness and Greenpeace. Opposed are the Swiss government, the Swiss peoples party (SVP) and centrist parties, the Liberals (FDP) and the Christian Democrats. (CVP) It’s an interesting and complex issue.

With support falling a vote against the initiative seems likely but watch this space. (assuming someone hasn’t built an apartment block on it.) For more information click on this link.