Politics · Switzerland · 2 days ago
Zurich canton plans to expand Meilen site for travelling people
Zurich canton plans to renovate and expand a site in Meilen for Jenische and Sinti who travel with caravans.
The site is currently an ordinary car park without facilities, and the project would add toilets, electricity and sewer connections for about 10 spaces.
The work is expected to cost 3.2 million Swiss francs.
Construction is planned to begin next year, provided no objections are filed with the municipality.
Zurich canton currently has nine sites for travelling people, which a foundation has described as too small or outdated and often lacking basic facilities.
The Meilen project is part of wider efforts that also include a site opened in Wädenswil and projects in Glattfelden and Winterthur.
Advocacy groups say more stopping places are still needed, along with longer-term sites for the autumn and winter; across Switzerland, about 3,000 Jenische and Sinti travel with caravans, and available places remain scarce.
The canton of Zurich plans to renovate and expand a site in Meilen for travelling communities.
The site is intended to become a transit area with around 10 pitches, electricity, sanitation and sewer connections.
The project is expected to cost 3.2 million francs, and construction is planned to begin next year if no objections are filed.
The Foundation for Swiss Travellers says the canton still needs more sites, especially places for longer stays.
The canton currently offers nine sites, which the foundation says are too small and outdated.
- Who
- The canton of Zurich is expanding the site for travelling communities, including Yenish and Sinti people.
- What
- It plans to renovate and expand the Meilen site into a transit area with around 10 pitches and basic infrastructure.
- When
- Construction is planned to begin next year, if no objections are filed.
- Where
- Meilen, in the canton of Zurich.
- Why
- The existing site lacks infrastructure, and travelling communities need more suitable places to stop.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The site currently consists of an ordinary car park without any infrastructure.
It is a right step that the site in Meilen can now be used better.
A site like this is urgently needed, especially in the canton of Zurich.
The needs of Swiss Yenish and Sinti people are often not a priority because they are a largely unknown minority.
The Foundation for Swiss Travellers published a report criticizing the shortage and condition of sites in the canton of Zurich.
A transit site opened in Wädenswil.
The canton plans to begin construction work on the Meilen project.
- Planned transit pitches
- Around 10
- Project cost
- 3.2 million francs
- Existing Zurich sites
- 9
- Adjacent car park
- Around 20 vehicles
- Planned start of construction
- Next year, subject to no objections
Sources
Related news
Esther Friedli rules herself out of race to succeed Guy Parmelin
Aeschi backs at least two candidates for Parmelin’s successor
Hans-Peter Portmann will not seek re-election to National Council in 2027
Two Swiss People’s Party lawmakers consider run to succeed Guy Parmelin
Lucerne to offer evidence collection for domestic violence victims without a complaint
Swiss lawmaker proposes requiring the Dutch reach to prevent cycling crashes
Esther Friedli withdraws from race for Swiss Federal Council seat
Swiss lawmaker raises the idea of an alcohol ban at train stations
Baume-Schneider set a record for the fastest Swiss cabinet department change
Aargau launches six-month pilot for police reports by video call
Possible Publica data leak raises questions about software provider access
