You sacrifice your dream of a house

A couple of house owners in Seebach – solid "Mittelstand" - all of them – have avant-garde plans: they want to sell their houses without external coercion, without the prospect of big money. Would benefit from a cooperative, you have just established yourself.

in order To test a model that could be a role model for the compaction of Zurich.

The kick-off of a gigantic building project. Along thurgauerstrasse in Leutschenbach, Zurich is planning a new district. On a half-kilometre-long strip of Land 65'000 square meters of area, the Europe Allee, has 78'000, where there are gardens today garden plots and a huge Parking lot there, to 1800 people. Provided a school house, old homes, a Park and three towers, up to 70 meters high.

resistance against high house

next, something foreclosed by the railway line and allotments, the pit arable district, a working settlement from the 30s – a modest, two-storey houses, the dream of home ownership, affordable, made for simple people. Today, around 400 people, some living there since their Childhood.

The pit farmland, residents did what most people do, if you want to provide you with a high-rise building in front of the terrace: they founded the IG, threatened legal action, fought back with well over 200 objections to the design plan.

But now, a good dozen of the residents has changed tactics. In November, they launched the co-operative Pit field. The idea developed slowly, says co-founder Christian Häberli. The opposition to the municipal project have brought together the neighborhood. They met often to discuss the joint action and on the future of the quarter to think about. Suggestions contributed by the cooperative Nena1.

"If anyone builds on its soil in the height of this terrible cream cuts-houses."Christian Häberli
pit farmland cooperative

Christian Häberli, a PhD meteorologist, knows every corner of his district. There, says the 57-Year-old on a tour, I used H. R. Giger until his death. A few houses further on, a professional pianist, organizes classical concerts in a converted Garage.

Some of the pit arable cottage have a comprehensive Renovation necessary. Cooperatively organized, the better cope, says Häberli. And, above all, the headquarters of the appliance by the project Thurgauerstrasse under pressure. "Towers next to single-family homes; this does not fit together." The city declared the Pit field to field Compaction. You want to allow aufzonen, up to five floors high houses.

The Problem here is that Almost all land is owned by individuals. More than two, three parcels, none, own, Christian Häberli says. "If everyone builds on its soil, arising cut of this terrible Cream-houses." The risk that the company will acquire the Land and the "pure rate of return projects hinstellten insist".

Common Land to collect

Both of these should prevent the cooperative. Your mission is to buy land and put together. As much as possible the country will gather to build larger projects with "moderate compression", how Häberli says. In order for the residents to keep control. And make a cohesive development of their environment.

The price: the renunciation of the house and the garden. Of the founding members of the no one shrink from, says Häberli. The targets range over the pit of arable. The major project Thurgauerstrasse the city is awarded several Lots to the cooperatives. "We will apply for sure," says Häberli. No one but the residents know better what is in need of the quarters. A meeting place for example. Although in Leutschenbach during the last few years, major new settlements are created, lacked such a place.

The same Problem as in the pit of arable in many Quarters of the city to the development of areas chosen. Where Zurich is expected to grow, it works by "Compressing inwards". The property are bogged down conditions, however, can control the authorities of the development. All build for themselves, or not. So a well-ordered city.

it is a Different matter if the owners get together. "The common approach is a good way," says a spokeswoman for the buildings Department. "It increases the scope for high-quality compaction." The Association of the Zurich cooperatives speaks of a "unique, interesting model".

Bad

felt treated The co-operative Foundation also helped to improve the relationship with the city. Long time residents of the above were treated. The IG called on the municipal Council, the plans of the city bring this down.

Since then, the city has adjusted their design plan and a bit of density out of the IG demanded. Important reservations against the Shadow of high-rise buildings remained, however, says Häberli.

After the tour, a couple of Neo-owners meeting in the house of a co-founder. There is skepticism about the "all-powerful" authorities. At the same time, the desire, itself helping to shape. Workshops with the city. Suggestions from the neighborhood could find "entrance into the competition programs", as stated by the building construction Department.

"We need to attract more members."Christian Häberli
pit farmland cooperative

Currently, the building Committee of the municipal Council advises the design plan. In the second half of the year 2019, the Parliament will set the dimensions of the project. From 2020, the school house and the Park are to be built, starting in 2023 the Rest.

The co-operative can be more time. Their homes may only be in 20 to 30 years. "First, we need to attract more members," says Christian Häberli. In the new year you will make in the district on the cooperative's attention. To be avant-garde, there is much to do.

(Tages-Anzeiger)

Created: 30.12.2018, 18:43 PM