Basel

1. Basel is home to the world's oldest university for the study of humanities, the University of Basel, founded in 1460. It has a rich history and has produced several notable alumni, including the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and the psychologist Carl Jung. 2. The city is known for its vibrant carnival, Fasnacht, which is celebrated annually and features elaborate costumes, masks, and parades. It is considered one of the largest and most significant carnivals in Switzerland, attracting visitors from around the world. 3. Basel has a unique location at the tripoint of Switzerland, France, and Germany, making it a cultural melting pot. This geographical position allows residents and visitors to experience a blend of three different cultures, languages, and cuisines within a short distance.

Basel, Switzerland's third-largest city, has a dynamic housing market characterized by high rental rates and limited homeownership. As of 2020, the city had approximately 98,700 housing units. Remarkably, about 84% of Basel's residents rent their homes, while only 16% are homeowners, reflecting a strong preference for rental housing. The median price to rent an apartment in Basel is around €22 per square meter per month, while the median price to buy is approximately €9,500 per square meter. These figures indicate a relatively expensive housing market compared to many other European cities. Public, social, and cooperative housing play significant roles in Basel's housing landscape. Cooperative housing, in particular, accounts for about 9.9% of the total housing stock, with around 9,770 cooperative apartments in the city. This is higher than the Swiss national average of 3.8%, highlighting Basel's commitment to affordable housing options. The city government actively supports affordable housing initiatives, including financial assistance for vulnerable groups. Basel's transformation into a biotech hub is expected to increase property demand, potentially driving prices higher in the coming years. The implementation of new regulations like Basel III may also impact mortgage accessibility and housing market dynamics in the near future.

The city of Basel has implemented several measures to address affordable and sustainable housing: The Basel Housing Promotion Act, in force since 2022, requires approval for renovation, conversion, or demolition of buildings when vacancy rates are below 1.5%, coupled with rent control for five years. The city's master plan mandates that 33% of new residential developments must be affordable housing. Basel is considering further initiatives, including a proposal that 50% of usable floor area in transformation sites be rented at cost. The government countered with a 33% proposal to avoid delays in major development projects. The city has also focused on sustainable housing, as exemplified by the Schorenstadt residential development. This project, designed based on 2000-Watt Society criteria, features carbon-neutral heating and electricity, recycled materials, and efficient resource use. Basel leads globally in green roof implementation, with 5.71 m² per inhabitant as of 2019. The city mandates green roofs on all new and renovated flat roofs, supported by financial incentives and building regulations. This initiative, initially driven by energy-saving and biodiversity goals, now also addresses climate adaptation by reducing urban heat and managing stormwater runoff. These efforts demonstrate Basel's commitment to balancing affordability, sustainability, and quality of life in its housing policies.

Housing cooperatives play a significant role in Basel, Switzerland, offering affordable and sustainable living options for residents. These cooperatives aim to provide community-oriented housing at lower costs compared to the commercial market. The city of Basel actively promotes cooperative housing through various measures. It offers support to non-profit housing developers, implements zoning regulations favorable to cooperatives, and provides assistance for individual cooperative housing projects. The city also uses ground leases as a mechanism to support cooperative housing initiatives. Basel has seen several innovative cooperative housing projects in recent years. One notable example is the StadtErle project by the Zimmerfrei housing cooperative. This wood-concrete hybrid building offers a range of apartment sizes, from single units to communal cluster apartments, catering to diverse household types and income levels. The project features shared spaces like a roof terrace, workroom, and communal kitchen to foster community interaction. Another prominent project is the Lyse-Lotte development in the Lysbüchel-Süd district. This "collage" architecture combines various dwelling types and flexible spaces, blurring the boundaries between individual units and creating a shared habitat for residents. These projects demonstrate Basel's commitment to experimental and inclusive living arrangements through cooperative housing, contributing to the city's efforts to provide affordable and community-oriented housing options.