Zurich City university district
ETH Zurich is working with University Hospital Zurich, the University of Zurich, and the canton and city of Zurich to develop the Zurich City university district (HGZZ). The vision is of a modern and open university and hospital district to support the sciences, health care, and the general public.
The university district that is home to the joint University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, and ETH Zurich research and health cluster is located in the centre of Zurich. The close proximity of the three institutions offers unique opportunities for close collaboration across teaching, research and medical care.
This promotes innovation and facilitates the rapid transfer of research findings to hospitals. One of the drivers behind the development of this site is the desire to exploit this potential.
Cooperation and a lively neighbourhood
The aim of the further spatial development is to secure teaching, research and medical care in the university district, to strengthen it further, to increase the urban quality and to create a lively university quarter.
![](/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/citation/image.imageformat.fullwidth.1550739113.jpg)
“The central city location is ideal for ETH Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, and the University of Zurich, and the proximity to the other institutions is a key success factor.”Ulrich Weidmann, Vice President for Infrastructure![]()
Zurich City university district
![With the GLC ETH Zurich has created a modern development and laboratory building in the centre for research at the interface between public health science and technology. (Visualisation: Boltshauser Architekten)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow_1307987212/images/image-9.imageformat.imagegallery5.627589367.jpg)
![The future Zurich City University District with the new University Hospital and the new UZH Forum of the University of Zurich. (Image: HGZZ)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow_1307987212/images/image-5.imageformat.imagegallery5.991267596.jpg)
![The UZH Forum by Herzog & de Meuron is set back, creating a central square. (Visualisation: Herzog & de Meuron)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow_1307987212/images/image-6.imageformat.imagegallery5.1022456983.jpg)
![The two buildings of Christ & Gantenbein's University Hospital will in future form an ensemble with the Gloriapark. (Visualisation: Christ & Gantenbein / Atelier Brunecky)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow_1307987212/images/image-7.imageformat.imagegallery5.107104181.jpg)
![The future Zurich City university district: On Rämistrasse, an urban space with a quality of stay is being created. (Visualisation: Atelier Brunecky).](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow_1307987212/images/image-1.imageformat.imagegallery5.1941187563.jpg)
![The close proximity of University Hospital Zurich, the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich provides unique opportunities. (Visualisation: Canton of Zurich Building Department)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow_1307987212/images/image-2.imageformat.imagegallery5.1357872023.jpg)
![The main uses of these spaces were defined during the collaborative planning process. (Visualisation: Canton of Zurich Building Department)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow_1307987212/images/image-3.imageformat.imagegallery5.1055835775.jpg)
![ETH Zurich’s real estate in the city centre: Most of these are federal property. Others are rented. (Visualisation: ETH Zurich)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow_1307987212/images/image-4.imageformat.imagegallery5.1106963201.jpg)
ETH Zurich’s focus in the university district
![ETH Zurich is currently constructing the new GLC teaching and research building for the health sciences on Gloriasstrasse.](/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/greybox_textimage_7217072/par/textimage_7217072/image.imageformat.text50percent.1954199999.jpg)
In 2023, ETH Zurich opened the new GLC teaching and research building for the health sciences on Gloriasstrasse. The building is a prime example of how ETH Zurich is boosting medical technology research with a new building, thereby promoting cooperation with the University of Zurich, the university hospitals, and industry in the city centre.
Renovating properties
In the last few years and over the next few years, ETH Zurich had focussed or will focus on renovating properties in the centre of Zurich. For example, the machine laboratory and, from summer 2021, the forecourt of the main building and the parking hall below it.
ETH Zurich decided to suspend its plans for major extension and renovation of the canteen and multi-purpose building, including the Polyterrasse. Essential technical refurbishments will, however, be completed in the next phase. Read more here.
Re-using buildings as living space
Another focal area for ETH Zurich is the vacating of residential buildings in the university area. ETH Zurich has vacated numerous rental properties since 2005, clearing the way for them to be used again as residential spaces. A contract with the city of Zurich outlines the phased vacating of residential buildings up until 2025.
![](/bin/ethz/components/previewImage/youtube/6uqB1TK2HYg.jpg)
Detailed studies and urban space concept for the HGZZ
- In addition to the master plan, the Canton and City of Zurich have worked with the University, University Hospital and ETH on two detailed urban planning studies.
- Four areas were explored for the planning: Open/green spaces, traffic/mobility (incl. overall traffic concept), energy supply and environmental impact.
- An urban space concept for the spaces between the buildings (streets and open spaces) was developed as a study assignment. The urban space concept by ARGE Studio Vulcan & KCAP Architects & Planners enhances the university area.
- This concept is the core of the external pagewhite papercall_made, which serves as a guiding principle for the development of the university area and quality assurance.
- The urban space principles were taken into account in the designs for the new buildings for the external pageForum UZHcall_made and external pageUSZ Campus MITTE1call_made.
ETH in the centre of Zurich since 1855
ETH Zurich was founded in 1855. At that time it was known as a polytechnic (or university of technology). Its main building has stood on the edge of a slope above Zurich’s old town since 1864.
Since the beginning of its eventful history, ETH Zurich has been a national educational and research institution that boasts an international reputation, attracting researchers and talented individuals from all over the world and playing a key role in the development of forward-looking national infrastructures.
Buildings in the centre
In addition to the main building, which has been rebuilt several times, the School of Agriculture and Forestry (1872–1874), the Chemistry Building (1884–1886), and the Machinery Laboratory (1897–1900, later extended) are evidence of the interplay between science and urban development that has been present right from the early days. In 2014, the LEE building became the first ETH Zurich building to open in the city centre in the 21st century.
More space required
The rise in technology and increasing digitalisation over the course of the 20th century, combined with the overall increase in the number of students and professors, have changed and increased the space required for teaching, research, and knowledge transfer.
A second campus
Accordingly, in 1955, at around the time of ETH Zurich’s 100th anniversary celebrations, the first discussions surrounding the establishment of an ETH Zurich outpost at Hönggerberg began. Today, ETH Zurich runs a campus on the Hönggerberg and a campus in the city centre.
In the centre of Zurich – from 1855 until today
![1864: At this time, ETH Zurich’s main building did not yet have a dome. The bridge between the main station and the Central square was also not extended until 1871. (Photograph: ETH Library)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-1.imageformat.imagegallery5.253452858.jpg)
![Around 1918: ETH Zurich constructed a distinctive dome atop its main building. Workers posed alongside the slewing crane. (Image credit: ETH Library, image archive)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-2.imageformat.imagegallery5.1892102292.jpg)
![1905: The first machine laboratory with its tall chimney. Certain ETH Zurich buildings had tower structures at this time. (Photograph: ETH Library)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-3.imageformat.imagegallery5.386088571.jpg)
![Around 1935: The ‘new’ machine laboratory was built on Claussiusstrasse in the Oberstrass quarter. (Photograph: Architectural archives)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-4.imageformat.imagegallery5.737107900.jpg)
![Around 1934: the machine lab (ML) at the corner of Sonneggstrasse and Universitätsstrasse. (Photograph: ETH Library)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-5.imageformat.imagegallery5.2001429757.jpg)
![Around 1934: The Eidgenössische Sternwarte observatory with the Fluntern quarter in the background. (Photograph: ETH Library, image archive)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-7.imageformat.imagegallery5.1633774186.jpg)
![1953: View from the dome of the main building across the various agriculture and forestry buildings, the botany building, and the observatory. (Photograph: ETH Library)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-6.imageformat.imagegallery5.1932656221.jpg)
![1972: Cars still drive aboveground past ETH, but the current Polyterrasse with its underpass is under construction. (Photograph: ETH Library / Kurt Schollenberger).](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-8.imageformat.imagegallery5.2138844791.jpg)
![1974: The university district is being developed. The new Polyterrasse is built. (Photograph: ETH Library / Jules Vogt)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-9.imageformat.imagegallery5.1411849901.jpg)
![1973: The new Machine Laboratory on Tannenstrasse opposite the main building is opened. (Photograph: ETH Library)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-10.imageformat.imagegallery5.1704703225.jpg)
![2005: ETH Zurich celebrates its 150-year anniversary with the slogan “Welcome tomorrow”. (Photograph: ETH Zurich)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-11.imageformat.imagegallery5.870467880.jpg)
![2007: The Environmental Sciences celebrate their 20-year anniversary in the green atrium at Universitätsstrasse. (Photograph: D-USYS)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-12.imageformat.imagegallery5.540489390.jpg)
![2009: The atrium at the Department of Earth Sciences is fitted out with an exhibition space for the museum fokusTerra. (Photograph: ETH Zurich)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-13.imageformat.imagegallery5.976419415.jpg)
![2014: ETH Zurich opens a new building in Zurich’s central university district: the LEE building. (Photograph: ETH Zurich)](https://ethz.ch/en/campus/development/zentrum/_jcr_content/par/slideshow/images/image-14.imageformat.imagegallery5.1391201770.jpg)
Further information (partly in German only)
- chevron_right The future of medicine begins in the Gloria Cube (ETH News, 10.06.2024)
- chevron_right What will be built in the university district in the next years (Internal news, 15.06.2023)
- chevron_right ETH Zurich suspends plans to renovate the Polyterrasse (ETH News, 26.01.2021)
- chevron_right History of ETH Zurich: Leading the way since 1855
- chevron_right ETHistory. Places. Where did ETH take place?
- external page call_made The Zurich City University District
Contact
ETH Zurich
Binzmühlestrasse 130
OCT
8092
Zurich
Switzerland