published2. August 2022, 12:49
ZürichSquatter group barricaded itself on the Uetliberg
About a dozen people have occupied a property in the forest on the Uetliberg. The city of Zurich tried in vain to clear the site.
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- Sheila Ochsner
- Daniel Krahenbuehl
The approximately 1000 square meter site belongs to the city of Zurich and has been leased.
20min/Shila Ochsner
The adjoining garden house was destroyed by a fallen tree and is not used.
20min/Shila Ochsner
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Around ten people occupy a site on the Uetliberg.
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City officials feared groundwater pollution.
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The leaseholder of the property sympathizes with the group’s project.
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Negotiations between the parties are ongoing.
About a dozen young people have been occupying an area of around 1000 square meters on Birmensdorferstrasse on the Uetliberg for regarding a week. The squatters and their dogs barricaded themselves there with two fences, tarpaulins and a wooden wall. Their plan: to set up several tiny houses on the site so that they can live like the «Tages-Anzeiger» reported.
The squatters got off to a rough start: employees of the city of Zurich feared that the group’s wastewater might contaminate the groundwater. Because the area is said to be in a groundwater protection zone, they would have to evacuate it within 24 hours. Since the group did not react to the ultimatum, city employees, accompanied by the police, gained access to the area last Friday. The inspection showed that the spring and groundwater are not endangered, as an employee of the newspaper’s water supply confirms. The squatters have set up a mobile toilet, waste water is collected in rain barrels.
«weigh people»
The property belongs to the city of Zurich, but has been leased to the family of craftsman Marcel Hummel for decades, according to the “Tages-Anzeiger”. The 47-year-old would have used the piece of land as a retreat and place to relax and planted vegetables there, among other things. Initially, his anger at the occupation of his property was great, as he told the newspaper. However, he did not want to sign a criminal complaint so that the police might clear the area. After a clarifying conversation, the anger was gone, he showed sympathy for the project: “These are ‘twisted’ people who mean no harm.” However, he does not yet know whether he would like to let them use the premises.
It is unclear how the group will continue: According to 20 minutes’ request from the Zurich city police and the Zurich authorities, they are in contact with the occupiers. “Negotiations are underway, but this will take time,” says Philippe Klein from the Department of Industrial Enterprises.
