Spatial Planning Act
The Spatial Planning Act (SPA) governs land use.
Contents
Description
The act empowers the federal government to create spatial planning policies. Cantons draft implementations of a plan set at the federal level.
History
In 1969, the constitution was amended to charge the federal government with managing land use. To this point, there had been no zoning laws. Implementation was slow however; national legislation for zoning was rejected by referendum in 1976. Finally a modified bill was passed in 1979.
The Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) (Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung, Office fédéral du développement territorial) was established in 1980 to implement the SPA.
In 2013, a referenda set densification as the goal of spatial planning. Cantons were obligated to reform their plans and submit for approval.