Zug and Baar start new planning for the Unterfeld area
In February, the planned large-scale Unterfeld project failed in a referendum, and now the municipalities of Zug and Baar are venturing a new start. However, a new large-scale development is not planned.
According to the original plans of Zug and Baar, a mixed-use urban quarter was to be created in Unterfeld. The project would have consisted of 15 structures, with a base height of 25 meters, selective increases to 34 to 60 meters would have been possible. A large public park with a lake was planned in the center of the development.
On February 12, 2017, however, the voters of Baar narrowly rejected the Unterfeld development plan. Although the city of Zug approved it by a razor-thin margin, the project did not come to fruition because of the negative verdict in Baar.
Now, three months after the vote, the authorities of Baar and Zug want to restart planning for the Unterfeld area. However, no new large-scale project will be created, but building sites will be developed that are oriented to roads, paths and open spaces and that can be built over in stages and independently, the municipalities say.
No more large superstructure
From the point of view of the municipalities, several points had led to the No vote at the ballot box. Among other things, the large urban form had not convinced the voters and the integration into the urban structure had been lacking. The perceived density (large-volume buildings) and the actual building density did not match, and there were fears of negative consequences such as additional traffic, a lack of social mix, or anonymous housing developments.
According to the cantonal planning and building law, the two municipalities have to submit a new plan, otherwise the general development planning obligation on the municipal area of Baar does not apply. Likewise, in terms of the Cantonal Structure Plan, the municipalities have to examine whether - and if so, to what extent - the area should be densified.
"We take the criticism of the rejected development plan seriously and want to work out a goal-oriented solution," says Andreas Hotz, president of the Baar municipality. In particular, a sustainable, robust urban structure is to be defined for the Unterfeld area. The aim is to reduce dependencies and the complexity of the concept.
The effective approach will be concretized in the coming weeks and discussed with the landowners, the communities say. Conceivable are, for example, workshops and reflection rooms to collect ideas and opinions. Until the summer vacations, the further procedure is to be developed and determined.
