Zurich: More inhabitants through densification
Building renewal in the city of Zurich has led to significant densification over the past decade, with a corresponding increase in the number of inhabitants. According to Statistik Stadt Zürich, at the end of 2015, around 17,700 additional people were living in the area of the Limmatstadt that had already been built up with apartments in 2000. This corresponds to 36 percent of the population growth in the corresponding period.
The extent of densification in renewal projects, the so-called degree of densification, differs depending on whether the number of apartments, the living space or the number of residents is measured, writes Statistik Stadt Zürich in a media release.
At 22.8 percent (+625,000 sq. m.), residential space grew the most in the period from 2000 to 2015, while the number of apartments grew much more slowly at 7.9 percent (+3,040). The degree of densification is 19 percent (+13,500 residents). The apartments are thus getting bigger in the course of renewals; occupancy is not quite keeping pace.
In the context of housing replacement projects, the living space increased by 406,000 square meters and the number of inhabitants rose by 7,300. This means that the equivalent of 55 square meters of living space was needed for one additional inhabitant.
By contrast, stock renewal leads to densification of a different kind, according to the statistics office: For the 6,100 additional persons in renewed buildings, a total of only 219,000 square meters of new space had to be created, i.e. 36 square meters of living space per person. This is possible, they say, because comprehensive stock renewals often allow better floor plans for larger households even in existing housing. In contrast, new replacement buildings allow greater building density, especially on underused parcels, according to Statistik Stadt Zürich.
The densification effect due to building renewal is only reflected in a growing number of residents from 2005 onward (see chart). From 2011 onwards, the development has become more dynamic as a result of the many housing replacements that have been completed since then. (ah)
