Lausanne West wins heritage prize
The Swiss Heritage Society has named the nine municipalities of Lausanne West as joint winners of the 40th Wakker Heritage Prize.
On Tuesday, the Swiss Heritage Society praised the “district spirit” that had helped to renew the area. The society awards the annual prize to a town or village in recognition of successful urban planning developments.
In this case, nine communities have been recognised for their coordinated approach to area development, the upgrade of the existing housing situation and the creation of a common identity.
“Ouest lausannois” is comprised of Bussigny, Chavannes, Crissier, Ecublens, Prilly,
Renens, St-Sulpice, Villars-Ste-Croix and Lausanne.
Once a predominantly agricultural region, the district had developed in a chaotic and unattractive fashion dominated by roads, railway junctions, parking lots, shopping centres, warehouses and wasteland.
In 2000, however, canton Vaud and the nine municipalities agreed on a building moratorium in order to consider the future of the Lausanne West – which is home to 75,000 people and about 50,000 jobs.
The official presentation of the SFr20,000 ($20,875) award will take place on June 18.
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