New political offensive against “McDonaldisation” of countryside

There are fears Switzerland's countryside is under threat from planners Keystone

The Foundation for the Protection of the Landscape says the Swiss countryside is under threat as never before. It has just launched what it calls a political offensive for better management of the land.

The non-partisan foundation wants the federal parliament to adopt a new environmental strategy before it’s too late. It says existing regulations are inadequate and landscape protection should be given higher priority.

The foundation’s director, Raimund Rodewald, says there is too much built-up land.

“Too much territory is being lost to construction and the expansion of the urban environment,” he says. “But when you hear what’s said in parliament, you get the impression that everything to do with nature and the landscape is fine and there are no problems. We need to inform our parliamentarians of the reality.”

He said the “McDonaldisation” of the countryside had to be prevented.

Rodewald added that the foundation fears a weakening of existing regulations, and believes that on the contrary they should be strengthened.

It also wants more emphasis on sustainable development, particularly for projects granted subsidies by the federal authorities. It said this could help prevent construction projects in sensitive or protected areas being approved or even supported financially.

If new measures are more costly they could face greater political opposition, but Rodewald said it was often a false economy to ignore the protection of nature.

by Richard Dawson