Lugano unveils master plan to transform Swiss city by 2050

The Lugano city authorities have presented a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming the Italian-speaking city in southern Switzerland and its diverse landscape by 2050. The municipality of Lugano has requested CHF3 million ($3.47 million) from the city council to initiate the city’s future urban planning programme. The main element is the municipal master plan, a long-awaited strategy document presented by Lugano’s government earlier this month. The initiative has faced delays, mainly due to the city council’s desire for unanimous approval, which took time. The plan details important spatial planning changes by 2050. To achieve these goals, the city has been divided into nine areas, referred to as “constellations.” Lugano’s 75-square-kilometre territory (the second largest among Swiss cities after Zurich) is home to many different neighbourhoods, as outlined in the 245-page report. The future vision for the city includes harmonising regulatory plans and reducing the existing 23 ...