When looking for the right place to live in Switzerland, being close to amenities is often a key factor that can tip the scale. Now, a new study has revealed just how well-connected residents in each of the largest Swiss cities are to essential services.

15-minute cities: How does Switzerland compare?

In the study, published in the Nature Cities journal, experts analysed 10.000 cities around the world to see how close residents are to essential daily life services. This involved analysing how far locals would need to walk or cycle to healthcare services, supermarkets and other shops, restaurants, schools, cultural activities and both indoor and outdoor exercise facilities, among other things.

The report is heavily inspired by the “15-minute city” planning concept, which came to the fore during the COVID pandemic. The theory is that cities should design themselves around the idea that everything, from shops and leisure to parks and public transport, should never be further than a 15-minute walk away from where people live.

Those in favour of the idea have argued that, in view of the devastating effect car-centric city design has had on the environment, community cohesion, social mobility and quality of life, the 15-minute concept is a return to more human and climate-friendly design. Since 2020, many cities have started to adapt their planning to reflect the concept. For example, as of 2023 100 percent of people in Utrecht can reach all essential services within a 15-minute bike ride, and 94 percent can in 10 minutes.

So how does Switzerland compare? Quite well, as it turns out:

Swiss cities well connected to essential amenities

Of the 11 cities in Switzerland that the study analysed, only one did not have all services within a 15-minute walk. In all, people living in Geneva are the closest to their essential services, with an average walking time of just five minutes and a cycling time of three.

The study found that all but one district in Geneva adhered to the 15-minute city concept. Only a tiny section of land near the town of Vessy was found to have commuting times of over a quarter of an hour.

Basel and Zurich excel at providing close public services

Geneva was followed by Basel, with average walking and cycling times to essential services of six and three minutes respectively. Switzerland’s city on the Rhine has been able to contain its urban sprawl, with only areas around the district of Bruderholz breaking the 15-minute rule.

The largest city in Switzerland, Zurich rounded out the podium with the same times of six and three minutes. The Swiss metropolis only had a few smudges on its record, namely Gockhausen on Zürichberg and some areas of Uetikon and Ringlikon on Uetliberg. 

Some cities in Switzerland struggle with connecting new urban areas

While they still performed well, other cities in Switzerland have not been as effective in connecting newer parts of the city with essential services. Emerging towns and districts like Vers-chez les-Blanc and Epalinges in Lausanne, Riedbach and Matzenried in Bern and Grundhof, Sulz and Eidberg in Winterthur were all up to 30 minutes’ walk away from key services.

Of all the Swiss cities, it was Lugano in Canton Ticino that performed worst, with an average walking and cycling time of 16 and seven minutes respectively. While most essential services are within easy reach in the city centre and the neighbourhoods of Pregassona, Viganello and Cassarate, the towns and villages dotted around the surrounding mountains were found to be a long way from key amenities.

Which Swiss cities have the closest public services?

In all, here are the 11 Swiss cities, rated from best to worst by average walking times to services (in minutes):

1. Geneva (5)
2. Basel (6)
3. Zurich (6)
4. Annemasse (7)
5. Bern (7)
6. Lausanne (8)
7. Lucerne (8)
8. Winterthur (8)
9. Thun (10)
10. Zug (10)
11. Lugano (16)

For more information, and to see how your local area compared, check out the interactive map.

Thumb image credit: Mystic Stock Photography / Shutterstock.com