CH-2.12 :: (Economic) drivers and political and economic interests

Relevance of the issue and justification of the need for research:
Spatial planning in Switzerland does not deal with the impact of the capital markets on the construction and real-estate sector nor with locational policy and tax policy. These aspects nevertheless have an effect on spatial aspects, making it important to gain a better understanding of the connections and interactions between these fields. Furthermore, political and economic interests and interrelationships that lie behind spatial planning and land management decisions are often understood insufficiently. Because land speculation still is a lucrative business, instruments are needed to limit this process.
Specific research topics and knowledge gaps:
Land management
• Steering measures to limit land speculation: Develop instruments to limit land speculation.
Impacts
• Impact of economic drivers on spatial aspects: Gain a better understanding of the impact of locational policy, site competition and tax policy on spatial development. Gain insights on the impact of capital markets on the construction and real-estate sector and on the investment business.
• Monitoring the drivers of land consumption and urban sprawl: Building up a monitoring system to observe the drivers of land consumption and urban sprawl.
• Political and economic interests: Understand better the political and economic interests and interrelationships that lie behind spatial planning and land management decisions.

Stakeholders:
• Business/industry, SME/consultant, university/research institute, national/regional/local authority, workshop participants