Spatial Planning Report 2025 Canton of Zurich: Land is becoming scarcer and housing is becoming scarcer too.

The canton of Zurich is growing, and not slowly, but at a rate that exceeds even long-term trends. According to the latest spatial planning report, the population will increase to around 1.9 million people by 2055. This means tens of thousands of additional inhabitants within a few years and a development that can hardly be slowed down.

Date

10.12.2025

Author

Christina Maron

While the population is growing, one thing remains constant: the land. The cantonal area does not change, even if the demands on it are constantly increasing. Every new home, every workplace, every street and every school has to fit within the same boundaries. This is precisely where the pressure arises that we are already feeling today. More people, the same amount of land and a market that is inevitably becoming scarcer.

The cities and agglomerations are absorbing most of this growth. However, sites that are easy to develop are becoming rarer, building land reserves are scarce and inward settlement development is increasingly coming up against spatial, regulatory and social limits. At the same time, the demand for living space continues to rise, in all price segments and across all stages of life.

What does this development mean in concrete terms?

For owners
– Demand for well-located properties continues to rise and remains stable in the long term.
– Properties with development potential increase significantly in value.
– Densification in existing properties becomes a real opportunity, not a risk.
– Those who develop their properties in a targeted manner benefit from a market that is structurally tightening.

For home seekers
– Competition for suitable living space is increasing noticeably.
– Central locations remain scarce and correspondingly expensive.
– Flexibility in terms of location, housing type and size is becoming more important.
– Those who search early, well prepared and with a clear strategy will find suitable offers more quickly.
– Now is the ideal time to buy a property, as prices will continue to rise.

In this situation, it is crucial to realistically assess your own options, regardless of whether you own or are looking for something. If you want to make informed decisions today, you should rely on expertise. A professional assessment provides clarity about potential, risks and realistic prospects. Because in a market that is structurally consolidating, the same applies to everyone: Acting well informed means taking advantage of better opportunities. We are happy to support you with our experience, market knowledge and an eye for what is possible:

✓ Valuation of your property – with a view to development potential

✓ Advice for further construction, densification or sale

✓ Assessment of market opportunities and strategic approach

✓ Finding suitable buyers from our network