The „Metropolitankonferenz Zürich“ – a new model for regional co-operation? AER Summerschool 2010 23.08.2010 Wilfried Anreiter Amt für Verkehr Kanton Zürich

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich 2850 local authorities in Switherland Average population in communes (median): SUI: 850 FRA: 1500 ITA: 7050 GER: 7200 USA: 12 500 DK: 18 500 SWE: 29 600 POR: 33 300

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich The metropolitan area Appr. 1.7 million population 236 communes, 7 Cantons 26 % of all Swiss work places 33 % of Swiss GDP 67 % of all top-1000 companies

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich A need to think in bigger dimensions Competition among metropolitan regions at international level Significant changes in land use, economy and society prompt administrative reform Urban areas in Switzerland are politically disadvantaged Rural areas can also benefit from metropolitan areas

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Vision 2030 and goals Development Promotion Lobbying Better positioning at international level More influence at national level co-operation Competitiveness Quality of life Diversity

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich 6 Metropolitankonferenz Zürich The association Founded in 2009 Current membership: 8 Cantons, 98 towns and communes as full members 10 towns and communes as associated members

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich The association

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Transport working group Lines of action Connecting metropolitan areas Accessibility of centres Traffic management Zurich airport as intercont. hub Freight transport and logistics Transport for recreational purposes Members : planning authorities troughout the metropolitan area (senior/chief level) Lead: Amt für Verkehr, Canton of Zurich

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Identifying key infrastructures Project period: 2009- 2010 Aims identify key road and rail projects Maximise the benefit for the entire metropolitan area Build up the basis for concerted political action at national level Lead: Cantons of Schaffhausen and Zurich

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Identifying key infrastructures Method Identification of key relations and existing projects Evaluation of existing programmes and projects Main criteria: gains in travel time and reliability on key relations Result Priority ranking of projects

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Identifying key infrastructures Key relations at international scale

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Identifying key infrastructures Key relations at national scale

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Identifying key infrastructures Key relations at metropolitan area scale

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Identifying key infrastructures Evaluation of projects

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Identifying key infrastructures Best rated rail projects: Rail tunnel Heitersberg II Rail tunnel Brütten Rail tunnel Zimmerberg II Enhancement of the Basle rail hub Enhancement of the Stadelhofen rail station

Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Identifying key infrastructures Formal decision taken in May 2010 by the Metropolitankonferenz general assembly: Project order acknowledged, top rated rail projects to be subject to lobbying at national level Road projects to be decided upon in November 2010

Thank you for your attention! Metropolitankonferenz Zürich Preliminary conclusions The Metropolitankonferenz Zürich as a regional body has taken a difficult political decision at vast majority Many members would not have voted in the same way if they had pursued their self-interest The acceptance of a common regional rather than local aim was remarkable The quality of the argument matters but needs to be communicated timely and in a convincing way Thank you for your attention!