General Revision of the Zoning Plan
The City is undertaking a comprehensive revision of Lugano’s Zoning Plans, including those of the former municipalities incorporated into the City. The territorial structure of the planning instruments will be reorganised according to the Constellations concept, transitioning from 19 Section Zoning Plans to 9 new Constellation Zoning Plans.
In order to establish a strategic vision that takes into account the various specific characteristics of the territory, the City adopted a Municipal Strategic Plan (PDCom), approved by the City Council in 2024. The PDCom is a strategic planning instrument that outlines the development of the municipal territory towards 2050 and, in particular, serves as a reference framework for the revision and harmonisation of the 19 Zoning Plans (PR) currently in force, based on a unified vision while at the same time ensuring that the local characteristics that make up Lugano’s territory as a whole are recognised and enhanced. The PDCom introduced the concept of Constellations, dividing the municipal territory into nine geographically homogeneous areas that share similar characteristics. The Constellations thus become the appropriate territorial units for managing the complexity of Lugano’s territory, at least from a planning perspective, providing the most suitable scale for reconciling the need for a unified vision with the aim of recognising and strengthening local characteristics.
The nine Constellations that will make up Lugano’s new Zoning Plan: I. Val Colla, II. Ronchi, III. Costa Sinistra, IV. Piana, V. Monte Brè, VI. Lugano a lago, VII. Città Alta, VIII. San Salvatore, IX. Pian Scairolo.
Key stages of the revision
The diagram below (in Italian) illustrates the key stages planned for the general revision of the Zoning Plan:
For each Constellation Zoning Plan, a preliminary proposal will have to be submitted to the Department of the Territory for review. Both documents—the proposal for the new plan and the Cantonal preliminary review—will then be submitted for public consultation. On this basis, the City Council will prepare the final documents and submit them to the City Parliament for adoption, after which the complete documentation will be forwarded to the Canton for final approval.
Strategic support
At its meeting of 12 March 2026, the City Council appointed the members of the Strategic Advisory Group, which will support the Planning, Environment, Energy and Mobility Division (DPAM) in decisions concerning the scheduling of activities and the awarding of mandates for the preparation of the Planning Guidelines. More generally, the Group will support decision-making regarding the overall approach to the project. It was decided that the Group would comprise recognised professionals in the fields of spatial planning and urban planning, with broad and diverse experience in territorial matters, advising public authorities and public competitions.
The group of external experts will also work with the DPAM to oversee the consistency of the Planning Guidelines with the visions and strategies promoted by the Municipal Strategic Plan (PDCom), and to ensure that planning measures and guidelines are translated consistently—using, as far as possible, a unified and high-quality approach—across all Constellations.
Members of the Advisory Group
After obtaining his degree and PhD in Physics in Zurich, he conducted scientific research in Switzerland and abroad. In 1989, he joined the Department of the Territory (DT), initially working in the Air and Water Protection Section (SPAAS). From 2001 to 2010, he served as Head of the Spatial Development Section, where his responsibilities included the revision of the Cantonal Master Plan. From 2011 to 2018, he was Director of the Environment Division and Department Coordinator, subsequently continuing to collaborate with the Department for several years under a consultancy mandate. He is a member of the Executive Board of EspaceSuisse Regional Group Ticino. Moreno Celio was selected in particular for his experience in managing complex projects within a public administration.
He graduated in architecture from ETH Zurich in 1988. He is the owner of the WE architectural practice in Lugano. He has taught at ETH Zurich and lectured at numerous international schools and at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio. Since 2015, he has been Professor and Head of the Architecture and Structure focus area within the Master of Arts in Architecture at HSLU – T&A in Lucerne. Formerly President of the Landscape Commission of the Department of the Territory (DT), he is a member of the Technical Commission for Urban Planning and Architecture (CT UA) and of the Conference of Technical Associations (CAT). Felix Wettstein was selected in particular to ensure consistency with the Municipal Strategic Plan (PDCom), having been a member of the interdisciplinary group that prepared it (Paola Viganò Group).
He graduated in architecture from ETH Zurich in 1982. He subsequently worked as an independent architect in Lugano and at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). From 1992 to 2022, he held various positions at the Office for Spatial Development of the Canton of Graubünden, including that of Deputy Cantonal Planner. Since 2022, he has been co-owner and director of SI-PLAN, a consultancy specialising in spatial planning and building culture. Alberto Ruggia was selected in particular for his expertise in Zoning Plans and, more generally, in spatial planning, complemented by his knowledge of approaches and experiences in other Swiss cantons.
Report
The City Council intends to prepare an annual report on the progress of the general revision of the Zoning Plan and on the use of the related investment credit. The first report is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
The English version of this page was created with the aid of automatic translation tools and may contain errors and omissions.
The original version is the page in Italian.