Die Zentren der Zürcher Agglo und die Transformation der Rückseiten

Abstract The present essay deals with the centres of the growing and dynamic Zurich agglomeration, notably those in the communities of Schlieren, Thalwil, and Wallisellen. The primary study focus of this City Tour is the area around the train stations in the centres presented. The theoretical foundation touches on approaches of the relational theory of space, the conceptualisation of a Swiss-specific Zwischenstadt (Thomas Sieverts) and non-lieux (Marc Augé). As a result of industrialisation and urbanisation processes, the central district in these three communities has moved away from the historic town centres. With the construction of train stations outside the former community boundaries, a new place of centrality has developed. Today, a second shift in these central areas can be witnessed. Current transformation processes result in the ‘rear side’ of the train station now being developed as an extended central area. Although these real estate developments should result in upgrades of public spaces, the urban pathways crossing the railway infrastructures are often poorly developed. In reality, these underpasses and passages are purely functional non-spaces. The conclusion of this essay frames an answer on possible planning approaches for how this urban development and socio-spatial deficit might be solved. English title: The centres of the Zurich agglomeration and the transformation of the ‘rear sides’