That Science City is becoming reality is apparent in the start of excavation for the future Information Science Lab. But a lot has been happening too on the planning side. The masterplan from Kees Christiaanse, ETH Professor of Architecture and Urban Design has reached completion. Last week a considerable group of media representatives followed the presentation of the plan at a conference on Campus Hönggerberg. Together with Kees Christiaanse, Gerhard Schmitt, ETH Vice-president Planning and Logistics and Michael Salzmann, head of the Science City project since April, presented the main milestones reached in 2005.

Maturing project

The project had matured, said Gerhard Schmitt. The plan–to create a beacon-like hub for science, industry and society by not simply imposing a finished plan top-down but by integrating the requirements of the individual user groups–had stirred worldwide interest (1).

Presenting the masterplan (from left): Gerhard Schmitt, Kees Christiaanse and Michael Salzmann. large

Nearer to home, this way of proceeding had certainly contributed to providing the project with strong political support, from neighbourhood associations to the mayor of the city and the president of the confederation(2). An atmosphere of rational dialogue had also been established with the critical attitude of the green action group "AG pro grüner Hönggerberg", reported Michael Salzmann. "With the masterplan we now have a corpus of legislation at hand to realise the vision of a university campus that is used around the clock. It is the basis for a transition to concrete contents," he added, in a talk with "ETH Life“.

Stimulation and communication: these are the most important goals of the concept. In its beginnings Hönggerberg was conceived as an ETH enclave on the fringe of the city, said Kees Christiaanse. Today the city was coming back to the campus. Christiaanse understands this campus as a "network" that combines diverse functions and interacts with its surroundings. The new buildings of Science City, according to Christiaanse, should help to create a careful condensation of this city district, naturally within the existing perimeters.

A handbook for future decisions

According to project director Salzmann, the design regulations set out in the masterplan were "in no way a straight jacket because Science City has to be able to react flexibly to new situations." The actual volumes of the new buildings, for example, were not yet fixed. What was fixed, by contrast, were global principles, such as their possible position or basic shape. A circumspect development is also to be ensured by the regulation that the individual buildings only cover 70 per cent of the smallest units of the area, designated as "building plots".

Science City: Up-coming information events

Trade Fair Zurich-Affoltern, Sporthalle Fronwald: From 28.10.2005 to 30.10.2005 Science City will also be presented at the 8th Trade Fair Affoltern. Info-aperitif Science City for ETH students and staff: 1.11. 2005, 17.15h in the Bauhalle ETH Hönggerberg. Info-aperitif for the local population: 1.11. 2005, 20.15h in the Bauhalle ETH Hönggerberg.

Determined square, enabling inner and outer communication: a proposal of how Science City might look after completion (model: Kees Christiaanse). large

Nonetheless, the landscape surrounding Science City remains very present. The buildings, according to Kees Christiaanse, should be "subservient" to the public spaces, which comprise squares, inner courtyards and alleys. The basic principle that every building is assigned to a different architect (even within the individual "building plots") was aimed at the attainment of a mixed composition. An additional maxim with the same aim and one that would be even more effective called for the use of each building plot to strive for a diversified usage that included, as far as possible, living, working and shopping.

As far as access to Science City is concerned, the main emphasis was still on bus transport routes. The option of a tramline to Hönggerberg, however, was kept open. At present the city did not want to participate for financial reasons. The number of parking spaces would remain constant owing to more strict legal regulations, even though the construction volume of the finished city of knowledge would be over 40 per larger than at present.

Core business takes priority

The masterplan remained very much open as far as the actual usage was concerned. This is not surprising because this still had to be determined in detail for the main part. The direction of content development, on the other hand, was clear, said project director Salzmann, namely, "the extension of ETH Zurich for research and teaching". The recently opened Imaging Center, for example, vouched for this. In addition, under the title of "Life Science Platform“ intensive consideration and debate was taking place at present on the new room capacity for this expanding area of research: catchword SystemsX.

In addition, there was a bouquet of 13 so-called clusters, which aimed to create attractive offers for people who neither study nor work at ETH. Among these clusters we find "Bridgehead Economy", "Living", "Public Offers", "Sport“, "Nourishment" or "Children and Family". 60 idea-packages, or modules, are grouped around these themes. "We've selected 15 modules that will be given by priority in the implementation phase," said Michael Salzmann.

The above-mentioned Life Science Platform is one of the weighty themes. Others are student accommodation, the learning and encounter centre with its "Library 21“, or more easily realisable modules like an information desk for visitors or the concept "Sport for all". Conceived as a second "bQm“, an alumni lounge also belongs in this priority group, as well as a day petitioned by more than 1000 ETH students and staff. The city authorities were looking into the feasibility of the latter.

Open questions of funding

The crux in the question of use that lies beyond teaching and research is funding. "A lot still has to happen here," said Salzmann. "It's clear that the government can't fund such contents of Science City. We have to find alternative sources, such as foundations, industry or private patrons.“ This is precisely the idea behind the efforts of the ETH Foundation or ETH Alumni, for example. It is very unlikely, however, that the sums needed could be found by these means in the near future. Salzmann is optimistic, on the other hand, with the important module "Living", which is set fair to deliver 1,000 living units. "I'm hopeful that we can find investors for the 100 million CHF we need for this." The retirement fund Publica had participated in a comparable project at the EPF Lausanne, for example. A similar model might be possible for Science City“.

What are the next steps? "In 2006 we will be busy with the implementation of 15 sub-projects," says Salzmann. 2007 will see the completion of the Information Science Laboratory. "And if all goes to plan, building will begin on the Learning and Encounter Centre in 2009. The first apartments and studios should be ready starting in 2010. In 2011, we hope that the substance of Science City will be standing“.