Zürich – A legal challenge to ambitious redevelopment plans for the Maag-Areal in Zürich-West has been rejected, marking a setback for opponents of the project. The cantonal Building Recourse Court ruled that the Hamasil Foundation, a local organization advocating for sustainable urban development, did not have standing to bring the case.
The dispute centers on plans by Swiss Prime Site and Welti-Furrer AG to transform the Maag-Areal, located near the Hardbrücke railway station. The developers propose constructing around one hundred apartments, retail spaces, restaurants, and a cultural pavilion. Approximately one-third of the apartments are intended to be offered at rents around 1,000 Swiss francs.
A key component of the plan involves demolishing several existing buildings, including the large Maag Halls dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. The city of Zürich had requested a “planning zone” for the “Maag-Areal Plus” to temporarily halt construction, aiming to preserve some of the historical structures. However, the cantonal building authority rejected this request last July, prompting the Hamasil Foundation to file an appeal with the Building Recourse Court.
The court announced at the end of January that it would not hear the appeal, stating that the foundation lacked the legal right to challenge the decision because its properties related to the nearby “Kulturpark” development were too distant from the project area.
Thomas Seiz, a member of the Hamasil Foundation’s board, acknowledged that the outcome was not entirely unexpected. “I was always aware that this would be tricky. Whether we are entitled to appeal or not is not a clear-cut question,” he said. “This represents a dispute between the city of Zürich and the canton, and we are only indirectly involved. We wanted to support the city. We were aware that this could fail formally. We took that risk.”
Seiz characterized the appeal as a “political signal,” emphasizing that the city’s attempt to establish a planning zone had been overruled by the cantonal court. “We didn’t appeal because we are directly involved, but because we believe this decision is wrong. The special building regulations for the Maag Areal date back to 2004 and have not been revised since.”
According to Seiz, a planning zone would have legally protected the Maag Halls and prevented certain projects, particularly the demolition and new construction plans of Welti-Furrer AG. “For us, this was always a side path of our activities, but one in the right direction.”
“From Welti-Furrer, dark, computer-generated facades without character are planned.”
Thomas Seiz, Stiftungsrat der Hamasil Stiftung
Seiz stated that the foundation’s concerns extend beyond the preservation of the halls. “It’s about revitalizing the neighborhood, enabling family-friendly housing, reducing traffic congestion, reducing peak temperatures, and preserving the last historical witnesses of this area.”
The Hamasil Foundation itself is developing a large-scale project, the Kulturpark, in the immediate vicinity. Critics have suggested that the foundation’s engagement is motivated by self-interest as well as idealism. Seiz dismissed this claim, stating, “I don’t see this self-interest. We are not preventing anything that would directly benefit us. We are disturbed by what is wrong from an urban planning and climate perspective.”
“Welti-Furrer is planning dark, computer-generated facades without character. Everything is densely built and the ground is sealed. These buildings heat up the surrounding area a lot. If you call that self-interest, then only in the sense that we want a better urban climate.”
Seiz indicated that the foundation would continue to challenge the plans. “With the Maag Halls and Welti-Furrer, we will remain involved. With the issue of the planning zone, I don’t know if it’s worth the effort anymore; that was always a side path. The city has to deal with this decision, not us.”
“Nevertheless, it is worth fighting for the last islands. And someone has to take the initiative. Swimming with the current is easy – swimming against it is not.”
