Basel

Country

Population

175,000

Renting

3 Things...

1. Basel is known for its vibrant cultural scene, hosting Art Basel, one of the world's leading contemporary art fairs, which attracts art lovers and collectors from around the globe each year. 2. The city has a unique tradition of celebrating Fasnacht, a colorful and lively carnival that takes place in the spring, featuring elaborate costumes, music, and parades that reflect the city's rich cultural heritage. 3. Basel is home to the oldest university in Switzerland, the University of Basel, founded in 1460. It has a strong reputation for research and has produced several notable alumni, including the famous Swiss physician Paracelsus and the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.

Inspiring Projects

Feld4

Former Wine storage

Unlisted Orgs

Population (AI)

Population: 178120

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Last edited

Sep 30, 2024 6:49 PM

Category

Local programs

Housing Market

In Basel, Switzerland, the housing market is characterized by a high percentage of renters, with only about 36% of residents owning their homes, one of the lowest rates in the West. The city faces a housing crisis marked by high prices and limited availability. To address this, Basel-Stadt has implemented strict rent control measures to stabilize prices and protect tenants. The city's rent control only applies when the vacancy rate is below 1.5%, and it allows for partial passing on of renovation costs to tenants, unlike Geneva where controls are always in place. Basel is also experiencing low investment and renovation activity due to regulatory uncertainties, leading to a preference for simplified procedures that limit rent increases post-renovation. Despite these challenges, the city aims to support affordable housing by encouraging targeted renovations and newbuilds, though the practicality of these efforts is hindered by land scarcity and high construction costs. Overall, Basel's housing market is a complex interplay of regulatory measures and market dynamics, with ongoing efforts to balance affordability and sustainability.

Further Actors?

Cooperatives

In Basel, housing cooperatives play a significant role in providing affordable housing. The city has a long history of supporting non-profit housing associations and cooperatives, dating back to 1900, through subsidies, state guarantees, and advantageous bond issues. The market share of housing cooperatives in Basel is notable, with around 9.9% of the total apartments in the city being owned by cooperatives. This is higher than the national average, indicating a strong presence of cooperative housing in Basel. In recent years, there has been a continued emphasis on promoting cooperative housing. The city supports housing cooperatives by providing financial incentives and favorable policies, which encourages the development of new cooperative projects. These initiatives help ensure that affordable housing remains available, particularly for lower and middle-income households. Overall, Basel's proactive approach to supporting housing cooperatives has contributed to a robust and sustainable housing market, making it a model for other cities in Europe.