Kaiseraugst: Vote on major "Aurica Next" project this summer
In Kaiseraugst (AG), located between Rheinfelden and Basel, an area that was once intended for a nuclear power plant is to be developed for companies.
On the eastern edge of the municipality of Kaiseraugst (AG), companies are to be established on ten hectares - the municipality's last large reserve of land. The owner of the "Aurica Next" site is Aurica AG, a subsidiary of AEW Energie AG and the Axpo Group. The guideline concept dates from 2023 and forms the basis for the development guideline plan (ERP) drawn up by the municipality and Aurica AG. This defines the framework conditions for future development, i.e. the distribution of building heights, green areas and paths on the site.
Up to three high-rise buildings possible
The utilization ratio of the land will be abolished in favour of more usable and green space. The maximum building height is now 30 m instead of the previous 20 m. Up to three high-rise buildings may even reach a height of 60 m. The green spaces should be accessible to the entire population of Kaiseraugst and offer a high quality of stay.
A subsoil investigation, a noise protection report and a traffic report were prepared as the basis for the ERP. The site is to be connected directly to the cantonal road and Hirsrütiweg will be extended through the site. In future, the bus route from Kaiseraugst to Rheinfelden will also run through this area and the site will be served by a bus stop.
Voting in the summer
The municipal council of Kaiseraugst recently approved the development guidelines plan, and the partial revision of the zoning plan and the framework design plan are currently being drawn up on the basis of the ERP. The population of Kaiseraugst is expected to vote on the corresponding legislative changes in June 2025. An information event for citizens was held in mid-January.
A nuclear power plant was to be built on the "Aurica Next" site in the 1970s. The plans met with great resistance from the local population and were ultimately not realized. The initiators are looking in particular at life science and pharmaceutical companies as potential users of the planned properties. (aw)
