An excursion to Vorarlberg and Switzerland took place from 12 to 15 May 2025 as part of the Master Project - Planning for Industrial Areas – Vorarlberg/Switzerland, opens an external URL in a new window. 15 students and the teaching team, consisting of Arthur Kanonier, opens an external URL in a new window, Elio Pescatore, opens an external URL in a new window and tutor Johannes Schlager, opens an external URL in a new window, took part in the excursion.

The aim was to gain an insight into regional planning processes, strategies for the development of business parks and cooperation models between public and private stakeholders.

In Hohenems, Dornbirn and Lustenau, the focus was on discussions with urban planning representatives and PRISMA Standortentwicklung. The supra-regional perspective was also brought in through input from the Vorarlberg state government, the Vorderland-Feldkirch region and WISTO. A cable car ride up the Karren and a bird's eye view provided ideal conditions for spatial planning discussions with urban planner Dipl.-Ing. Martin Assmann.

A special item on the programme was the day in St. Gallen, where we explored the St. Gallen West/Gossau East business park and parts of the city by bike. We received expert insights from the canton of St. Gallen, the ASGO association and the city of St. Gallen. Among other things, we discussed challenges and approaches in land development, location promotion and cooperation between administration and business. Finally, we were able to visit the State Ombudsman Dr Klaus Feuerstein in Bregenz.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our dialogue partners!