West station area Herzogenbuchsee
Former Fenaco-Areal
The Project
Sustainable development for Herzogenbuchsee
Great things are to be created on the former Fenaco-Areal in Herzogenbuchsee : a modern quarter with plenty of space to live, work, meet and experience, including generous green spaces. green spaces. Existing buildings will be converted and supplemented with new ones.
The project is embedded in Herzogenbuchsee 's overarching development strategy. As part of the revision of the local planning, the municipal council issued a "Structure plan station district". This was further developed into a master plan in 2018/2019 in an appraisal process. Over the past two years, an urban development plan was drawn up for the "Bahnhofgebiet West" an urban development guideline project for the "Station Area West".
At a glance
Apartments / condominiums
Apartments of various sizes (1.5 to 5.5 rooms) are planned. A total of around 750 units will be built, offering living space for around 1,300 to 1,500 people.
Commercial space
Commercial and office uses are planned along the new Jacques-Häfliger-Strasse - with space for around 700 to 1,000 workplaces.
Residential and living spaces
75% residential and 25% commercial
From an industrial site to a lively neighborhood
For decades, the Fenaco-Areal to the west of the railroad station served as a production and storage location. Now a tangible, lively quarter is being created here - right at the entrance to the village
of Herzogenbuchsee.
Thanks to its central location and excellent rail, bus and road connections, the area is ideal for further development within the existing municipal area. The
The transformation will not result in the loss of any cultivated land, but rather the upgrading of an already built-up area.
The new "Jacques-Häfliger-Strasse", the district's new main road, connects the area with the main cantonal roads, relieves pressure on the village center and creates a direct link for the new district and the neighbouring villages.
the new quarter and the neighboring municipality of Niederönz. Within the district, a 30 km/h speed limit ensures a traffic-calmed, liveable environment.
The Concept
Preserving identity - creating diversity
A new quarter with an urban flair is being created in the west station area, harmoniously combining the past and the future. Historic industrial buildings such as the bottling plant, the the "Moschti" building and the landmark buildings - the Landi silo and the Häfliger tower - will be preserved and carefully renovated. Their conversion will create new apartments apartments, workplaces and rooms for services. At the same time, modern new buildings, spacious green spaces and play areas will lay the foundations for a lively and diverse neighborhood. neighborhood.
An important element of the planning is the gradual development in stages. Existing buildings will be revitalized during the transitional period through interim uses such as commercial, gastronomy, cultural or public facilities. This creates a diverse neighborhood life at an early stage.
The Concept
Modern living spaces
The new district offers living, working and socializing in a low-traffic environment. The housing on offer includes rental and owner-occupied apartments and is aimed at people of all generations and income classes. income classes. The result is a modern, new home in Herzogen-buchsee for a variety of lifestyles:
- Living on around 80% of the floor area,
- Commerce, services, gastronomy and cultural offerings on around 20% of the floor space,
- optimal connection to public transportation,
- more versatile public spaces and play areas for children, young people, senior citizens, clubs and cultural workers.
The Concept
Exemplary for the environment and climate
The West station area is consistently committed to sustainability. The aim is to achieve CO₂-neutral operation of the entire area. To achieve this, an innovative energy concept is being developed based on heat pumps with
waste water, photovoltaics and ice storage.
Rows of trees along the roads act as fresh air corridors, large trees provide shade and roof surfaces are used with solar systems or species-rich greenery. The green space in the
The rainwater collected in the existing large "Moschti" tanks is used for irrigation during hot spells, promoting natural cooling and evaporation.
The exterior surfaces will be sealed only minimally. Instead, permeable paving, green areas and flowering plant covers are created. The result is a district that not only offers living and
living space, but also makes an active contribution to climate protection and brings nature back into the city.
The Concept
Optimal, low-traffic development
The mobility concept is based on the 2013 municipal transport master plan and creates the basis for safe, efficient and neighborhood-friendly access to the west station area.
The centerpiece is the new district collector road - Jacques-Häfliger-Strasse - which connects the district directly to the higher-level cantonal roads, bundles through traffic and is reduced to a 30 km/h speed limit.
reduced to 30 km/h. It will be supplemented by inner neighborhood streets and new meeting zones (20 km/h), where pedestrians and cyclists will have priority. Bahnhofplatz West will be completely freed from
motorized individual traffic and forms a barrier-free transfer platform between train and bus.
Special emphasis will be placed on public transport. Bus stops at Bahnhofplatz West will increase the flexibility of the routes and improve accessibility. The square
can also be used for rail replacement services if required. A temporary solution (until approx. 2027/28 with stops on the east side) and a final solution (with routes on the west side) are planned for implementation.
west side) are planned.
The development
Realization in stages
The new district will be realized in various stages over the next 15-20 years or so. The planning is based on the 2022 structure project and the 2023 structure plan. The zone with planning obligation "ZPP A Bahnhofgebiet West" with a total of twelve sectors as well as zones for public uses such as Bahnhofplatz West and the Rötiweg school complex. For the The implementation of the plan will require development regulations in stages, which will form the basis for subsequent planning applications. At the same time, the road plan for the new district collector road "Jacques-Häfliger-Strasse" will be issued at the same time.
Various planning steps have been carried out since 2021: Public information, a participation procedure with 79 submissions, the public consultation with ten objections and revisions following the cantonal preliminary review.
Following the third preliminary review by the Office for Municipalities and Spatial Planning (AGR) of the Canton of Bern, the public consultation started on September 5, 2025 and will continue until October 6, 2025. The subject of the public consultation are amendments to the zoning plan and building regulations for the "ZPP A Bahnhofgebiet West" zone with planning obligation and the "ZöN Q Bahnhofplatz West" zone for public use. West".
On November 30, 2025, the population of Herzogenbuchsee will decide on the corresponding zoning plan amendment.
The development
Planning process for rezoning the west station area
06/2019 - 05/2021
08 - 11/2021
12/2021 - 12/2022
01/2023
01 - 05/2023
06/2023 - 05/2024
06 - 10/2024
11/2024 - 05/2025
until 08/2025
until 6.10.2025
30.11.2025
Q1 2026
ev. Q2 2026
The Opportunities
West station area: an opportunity for the future of Herzogenbuchsee
The planned housing offer is aimed at a broad section of the middle class. Families, working couples, singles and seniors will feel at home in Bahnhof West - an attractive housing mix is being planned to accomodate them. A wide variety of premises such as studios, commercial and service spaces are available for business people.
The west station area is important for the future of Herzogenbuchsee
A municipality needs organic development in order to remain viable. Thanks to moderate growth, Herzogenbuchsee and its catchment area should be able to maintain its distinct center function in the future. in the future thanks to moderate growth.
The new development is being built in the right place
The immediate proximity to the station, the central location in the Mittelland and an attractive mix of residential and commercial uses make the planned development attractive for all generations and for companies. attractive. In accordance with federal and cantonal legislation, new housing should be built in the existing settlement area in a dense structure wherever possible. In this way, urban sprawl can be urban sprawl and thus preserve open spaces.
The new development is appropriate for Herzogenbuchsee
The population of the municipality will continue to grow at a moderate rate of 1.4 percent per year on average. This corresponds roughly to the average population growth of around 1,000 residents over the past 25 years. The new district will absorb this growth over a period of 15 to 20 years.
The west station area brings added value
In addition to the new residential and commercial space and a general upgrading of the area, the site development has positive effects according to an independent impact analysis carried out by EPB in May 2021. effects and generates additional tax revenue on the bottom line. This could even have a positive impact on the tax rate in the medium term. The tax income expected at the time of the final expansion According to the study, the tax income expected at the time of the final expansion is likely to be higher than the infrastructure costs arising directly from the site development.
Avoiding a non-place
Without rezoning the site, no investment will be made. There is a risk of neglect. This creeping development is not in the interests of the municipality, if only because school routes and the decay would be an imposition on the residential areas behind it.
Facts & Figures
The most important facts and figures at a glance
Development plan
Land area
50,000 m2
Zone
Special land use zone / residential and service
Number of floors
4 - 15 floors
Number of apartments planned
700 - 750 apartments
Commercial space
At least 20'000m2
Number of parking spaces
around 850 (underground and max. 1 parking space per apartment)
Number of bicycle parking spaces
approx. 2'000
Bernhard Aebi, Architect
Aebi & Vincent Architekten SIA AG, Berne
An attractive new living and working space
Apartments and condominiums of various sizes will be built on the site. Service providers and businesses will also find a new home here. Premises where
clubs can meet are also part of our planning.
Contact
Project participants
Property owner
Areal Herzogenbuchsee Zug AG,
a Sayano Family Office AG company
Poststrasse 2
6300 Zug
