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Geneva unveils massive housing project plan

Public input is being sought on a master plan for the redevelopment of railway and industrial land in Geneva that could accommodate 11,000 residential units for a canton struggling to deal with an ongoing housing shortage.

Published: 11 April 2014 12:20 CEST
Geneva unveils massive housing project plan
Rendition of proposed 80-metre tower and adjacent apartment block in Geneva's Vernets neighbourhood. Photo: Canton of Geneva

The revamped plan for the Praille-Acacias-Vernets (PAV) area, released on Thursday, offers a blueprint for dense development of a 230-hectare zone that stretches from the city of Geneva to include areas in the municipalities of Carouge and Lancy.

The plan elaborates 21 principles for a “sustainable” development with green spaces, a large central park, buildings that use renewable energy and transportation that minimizes car use.

Two stations on the new CEVA regional train line will be located in the development linked with new bus routes.

The emphasis with the plan is on housing after past proposals for extensive office space development fell to the wayside.

Among the first components of the plan — potentially the biggest single development in Geneva’s history — is an 80-metre high residential tower block envisaged for the site of the Vernets military barracks, near the Arve River.

The tower, designed by Lausanne architects Fruehauf, Henry & Viladoms and Geneva firm Descombes Rampini, would be part of a complex including nine-storey buildings with large interior courts.

The firms’ designs won a competition for the Vernets site, calling for 1,500 public housing units, a school and an activity centre.

Private investors are being sought to finance the project that will give the successful bidder rights of use over 48,000 square metres of land that will remain publicly owned.

Francesco della Casa, Geneva cantonal architect, acknowledged the project is marked by a “very ambitious density”.

Efforts to redevelop the PAV lands have struggled to get off the ground since 2005 with major political disagreements over the kind of buildings wanted for the area and the ratio of housing and commercial space.

Feedback will be accepted on the 150-page proposed master plan until May 12th.

The plan will be subsequently adjusted with politicians aiming to adopt a formal blueprint by the end of the year.

Antonio Hodgers, the Geneva cabinet minister in charge of land development and housing, warned of a “slow and difficult” transformation of the land use for the PAV area, the Tribune de Genève newspaper reported.

Geneva has struggled to produce enough housing to match the number of jobs recently created in the canton, leading to an accommodation crunch and a residential construction boom in adjoining areas of France, where building permits are more easily obtained.
  

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GENEVA

‘Things have changed’: Can you get a job in Geneva without speaking French?

Geneva must be up there when picturing an international city where language is no barrier. Does this hold true for those looking for a job? 

Published: 15 March 2024 14:23 CET
Updated: 23 March 2024 08:42 CET
'Things have changed': Can you get a job in Geneva without speaking French?

Organisations such as the International Red Cross, the World Health Organisation, and the United Nations are either based in Geneva or have a significant presence there. 

Furthermore, the Geneva region has a population of over half a million, making it an ideal base for global businesses to reach Swiss (and European) markets. 

There is no doubt that the city is a centre of international diplomacy and business and has been for decades. 

Having said that, how hard is it to find a job in Switzerland’s largest francophone city? Or indeed anywhere in Suisse Romande in general? Do you have a chance of securing a role without French language skills? 

The expert view

Recruiters think you might find it challenging if you’re not planning to work for one of the major international bodies. 

Anthony Caffon, Director of Finance at Michael Page, a significant regional recruiter, told The Local: “From our perspective, as a large operator in West Switzerland, only a few roles don’t require candidates to speak French. 

“A few years ago, there was indeed a shortage of skills in the market, and coupled with major multinational companies located here, companies were open to employing non-French speakers. 

“We now notice a change. French is required in 90 percent of the roles we recruit outside international organisations. 

“Organisations would only take on non-French speakers in some highly technical roles, for which there is absolutely no local talent pool,” he said.

‘It was critical for wider job opportunities’

However, when surveyed, readers of The Local had differing perspectives on whether not knowing French was a hindrance to searching for a job in Geneva. 

Sofia, an American, responded: “It depends on the job and sector. French is desirable but not required for international organisations, NGOs, and many private companies such as EA Games or financial companies like Barclays.”

However, she noted that speaking French became more essential when settling in the country.

“It was critical for my Swiss naturalisation, but also to have a wider spectrum of job opportunities and better working relationships.”

Generally, to apply for Swiss citizenship in the canton of Geneva, one must achieve French oral B1 and written A2, as set in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). 

Michael, who lives near Lausanne, agreed with Sofia, telling The Local: “It depends if you work for a multinational or a local company.” 

“If you work for a multinational or Swiss company, you need French. But you can generally use English in the office at Nestle, BAT, PMI, Novartis, or WHO.”

Another respondent, Phil, believed that speaking French would assist in job searching. 

He stated, “I think it depends on your industry. If you work in the pharmaceutical area, then just English is fine.

“If you speak French, however, I think it’s easier to understand the application process and job descriptions.”

A Briton, Katie, thought speaking French could also help smooth the way when starting a new role in Geneva. 

She responded: “It shows you are curious about where you live. It helps build relationships with colleagues and, of course, for some jobs, it is needed.”

‘You can get by fine’

Those seeking to work in Geneva who don’t speak French shouldn’t fret just yet. 

An anonymous respondent from Ireland told The Local: “Some basic French is needed not to look utterly dysfunctional in casual social settings, but if the business works in English, then that is generally sufficient. 

“Once you can complete the technical requirements of your job well, you can get by fine,” they said.

“Some employers will specify that French and English are requirements on the job listings, even if you only need English to do the job. 

“Not having any French can put people off applying for many openings when, in fact, they might be fine applying anyway.”

What have you experienced finding a job in Geneva? Did you need French skills? Let us know in the comments. 

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