Basel: Contaminated sites on the Klybeck site "solvable task"
The two investors in the former chemical site, where one of Switzerland's largest neighborhood projects is planned, are using a transparency campaign to gain the trust of the population.
Rhystadt and Swiss Life, the two owners of the Klybeck industrial site in Basel, have launched an information offensive regarding the contaminated sites on the former chemical site. The investors announced at a press conference that the results of analyses in the individual parts of the site will be published as part of the preparations for the indicative project. In doing so, they want to "create the basis for an objective dialog". In the past, the way in which the former chemical site, which is to be turned into a new residential and working quarter, has been dealt with has repeatedly led to public criticism.
According to Rhystadt and Swiss Life, there is now a comprehensive picture of the contamination situation in their parts of the site, both underground and in the buildings. There is currently only one contaminated site in the ground that requires remediation. This is a chlorobenzene contamination in Swiss Life's Site 3. Its remediation is currently being prepared by the previous owner, BASF. The contamination situation in the buildings varies greatly. Some properties can already be used for new purposes. Other buildings are contaminated with asbestos. Overall, however, the majority of the site is classified by the enforcement authority as "contaminated and in need of monitoring".
200 reports before publication
The owners call the removal of contaminated sites "a major but solvable task". The indicative project is currently being prepared and should be completed in summer 2025. As part of this, the publication of investigation results and documentation is announced, both those that were available to the investors when they purchased their parts of the site, as well as additional reports on completed procedures that Rhystadt and Swiss Life commissioned as part of the development project. In a first step, a total of around 200 reports will be available on the websites of the two companies. The results of the groundwater monitoring, for which the authorities approved a new concept in 2024, are also expected to be published this year.
The site is planned as one of the largest neighborhood projects in Switzerland with around 10,000 residents and numerous jobs. The two owners are aiming for sustainability certification (SNBS, Swiss Sustainable Building Standard) for the new district. (aw)
