Zurich First-HandCity buys 64 flats in Seebach for CHF 78.22 million
The city executive has bought a plot with twelve apartment buildings. The flats count towards the goal of making a third of all rental flats non-profit by 2050.
Rosengartenstrasse – canton blocks safer crossings, city considers an appeal
The cantonal government has refused to approve a project for two street-level pedestrian and bike crossings, although the city parliament had approved the money. The city executive says it is “disconcerted”.
Up to CHF 1,200 towards health insurance premiums – how the city plans to implement the initiative
Around 90,000 city residents would be able to apply for a yearly premium supplement. Cost: about CHF 60 million a year. The first payments would come in 2028 at the earliest.
New integration goals to 2030 and a newly appointed Foreigners’ Advisory Council
The city executive has adopted 20 integration goals, for the first time with a separate focus on preventing discrimination. Two weeks earlier it appointed the 25 members of the Foreigners’ Advisory Council for 2026–2030.
Two cycling projects – a longer bike lane on Kreuzstrasse, a cycle path on Bernerstrasse
In Riesbach, a bike lane is being extended to Mühlebachstrasse. In Altstetten, the Juchhof bus stop is being made step-free and gets a separate cycle path.
CHF 365 transit pass – city executive asks for CHF 195 million a year, launch in 2028 at the earliest
The discount would come as a voucher code on existing Zone 110 annual passes and the GA. Because the spending is so large, voters will have the final say once more.
Police posts in Altstetten and Höngg close their counters on 1 November
The city police are merging neighbourhood stations; by 2035 there are to be three bases and one headquarters. In return, more officers are to be out on patrol.
Rents up 3.1 per cent since 2024 – a typical flat costs CHF 1,690
The city statistics office’s 2026 rent survey shows a slower rise than in 2022–2024, but large gaps: non-profit or not, new build or long-running lease, old town or Affoltern.
More green, more space for bikes, walking and public transport – the first annual report
By 2035 the city must convert more than 600,000 square metres of road space. After one year it has reached a third of the greening target, but only 8.3 per cent of the target for walking, cycling and public transport.
27 September ballot – five yeses in the city, stricter rules for high-rises
The city approved all five municipal proposals, and in the high-rise dispute it backed the city parliament’s version. Kreis 12 rejected two of them. On the cantonal teachers’ law, the city voted differently from the canton.
2027 budget – CHF 407 million deficit, tax rate stays at 119 per cent, less money for buying housing
The city executive expects deficits of around CHF 600 million a year until 2030 and is therefore cutting or postponing investments, from the Tiefenbrunnen marina to the Dammsteg bike bridge.
Cooler classrooms and one app for families – the new schools chief’s plans
By summer 2027, at least 20 per cent of the hottest classrooms are to get shading or cooling. The “Meine Kinder” platform is to become the single entry point for subsidies and courses.
Twice as much tree canopy over the streets by 2050 – one tree per 100 square metres
The new street tree plan replaces the avenue plan of 1991. The hottest neighbourhoods are to get more shade first: Industriequartier, Aussersihl, Altstetten and Oerlikon.
Manegg school to expand for all-day school – 500 lunches a day instead of 150
From 2030 the school will take over the neighbouring building at Mutschellenstrasse 102. The city executive has approved CHF 3.32 million to plan the conversion.
City parliament wants to scrap waiting periods for benefits and grants
People who have just moved to Zurich should not have to wait before they can get the city’s top-up to old-age and disability benefits or its education grants. The city parliament passed two motions against the city executive’s wishes.