Swisstopo Annual Report 2013

Annual report 2013 2014

swisstopo inspires!

where

knowing

swisstopo

Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Confédération suisse Confederazione Svizzera Confederaziun svizra

Federal Office of Topography swisstopo www.swisstopo.ch “For swisstopo, itself a FLAG institute, it is vital that the precepts of FLAG are incorporated into the new management model.”

Jean-Philippe Amstein, Director of the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo Annual report 2013

Content

Welcoming speech by Jean-Philippe Amstein, Director of the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo 2

Welcoming speech by Ulrich Appenzeller, National Armaments Director, armasuisse 3

Geodesy: supporting cantons with the implementation of LV95 New coordinates for Switzerland 4

Topography: an exciting online game for geography class A treasure hunt with swisstopo 8

Cartography: keeping up with the market with new products A pocket-size hiking map 12

Cadastral Survey: information on property with CadastralWebMap A central website for wheelchair parking spaces 16

COGIS: a journey through time with swisstopo Back to the future 20

Geological Survey: the new hiking and geological map “Tektonikarena Sardona” Reading the landscape 24

Face-to-face The retirement of Jean-Philippe Amstein: “I was lucky – and many people supported me!” 28 175th anniversary swisstopo: looking back at a jubilee 30

Organization chart 32 Figures 2013 33 Welcoming speech

Dear Readers

“swisstopo is in top form, and with that in mind, I cannot imagine a better moment for passing on the baton.”

Looking back on our anniversary year, two major The goal of the other large project, Open highlights come to mind: the festivities for the Government Data (OGD), is that the Confedera- employees and Open House. These were two tion provides its (geo) data free of charge. successful occasions: enthusiastic and inspiring – This implies a deficit in millions of francs for us, true to this year’s motto for the Annual Report. and it isn’t yet evident how this deficit can be compensated. Correspondingly, we will be “The festivities for the At the festivities on the Gurten on June 28, we kept busy with OGD for the next year. employees and Open were also honored to welcome the President House were two of the Confederation, Ueli Maurer, and we took During the anniversary year, several new products successful occasions: enthusiastic and pride in his words of praise. He described that warranted enthusiasm, especially the waterproof inspiring.” working with swisstopo is efficient and uncompli- Hiking Map 1: 33 333 in the practical format; cated, and he spoke words of thanks for our the combined hiking and geological map 5080T accomplishments. This probably didn’t really “Tectonic Arena Sardona”; and the Internet surprise anyone, but I was still very pleased by application “Journey through time”. Also novel is these acknowledgements spoken publicly on this the first new National Map and the software memorable occasion. used for geo.admin.ch with which the data may now be visualized in 3-D. Open House on September 14 was also very successful: about 3500 visitors flocked to Wabern Soon it will be time for me to say farewell: in and came to see us – a clear assertion of the mid-2014 I will retire early. I will be handing my interest shown by the general public. position over to my successor Fridolin Wicki with mixed feelings – proud of the numerous In addition, we were engaged in two federal achievements, grateful for the good memories, projects: the new federal management model and wistful because this means the end of an (NFB) and Open Government Data (OGD). era also for me. There is a saying that one should The NFB should implement the principles of quit while the going is good. swisstopo is in top FLAG – that is, management with a performance form – and with that in mind, I cannot imagine mandate and a global budget – in the entire a better moment for passing on the baton. federal administration. For swisstopo, itself a FLAG institute, it is vital that the precepts of FLAG Jean-Philippe Amstein are incorporated into the new management Director of the Federal Office of Topography model. swisstopo

2 Welcoming speech

“During the festivities, swisstopo presented itself unassuming and down-to-earth, just like Guillaume- Henri Dufour himself used to be.”

swisstopo took advantage of the anniversary There are numerous challenges: more and more year 2013 as an occasion to remind the general people use geodata, be it privately with a mobile public of its products and services. We were phone or at work. Currently the question of taken on a journey through the past with a virtual “Open Government Data” and cost allocation is time machine. 175 years of the Federal Office being discussed. swisstopo is facing the challenge of Topography were brought to life, visualizing of having to provide services and high-quality the roots of swisstopo. products practically free of charge. In my opinion, quality should be worth something – and good swisstopo already experienced a jubilee in work has its price. Nevertheless, new paths need 2012 when the Cadastral Survey celebrated its to be found and taken in this regard as well. centenary. During the festivities, swisstopo presented itself unassuming and down-to-earth, The future belongs to the young, goes the just like Guillaume-Henri Dufour himself used saying – however, the accomplishments of the to be. A special highlight for me was the previous generation should not be forgotten celebration with the entire staff on the Gurten. or diminished. The Director of swisstopo, The strong identification of the employees with Jean-Philippe Amstein, will retire in mid-2014 their firm was once again very present. The and entrust his position to younger hands. tremendous commitment and pride in swisstopo In the person of Jean-Philippe Amstein, I will lose were conspicuous. The sentiment among the a highly appreciated colleague and a member colleagues was fantastic and I was very of the corporate management of armasuisse. For impressed. many years our collaboration was extraordinary, and our relationship was marked by confidence “If a firm like Even though swisstopo was involved with its and mutual respect. swisstopo is to keep 175th anniversary during the entire year 2013, on being successful in lots of accomplishments were also realized. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the future, it will continue to depend Once more innovative products and services were Jean-Philippe for his enourmous comittement and on exciting ideas, bold created – indicating how market-oriented his support in the past years. I am looking decisions and talented swisstopo actually is. If a firm like swisstopo is forward to working together with his successor employees with to keep on being successful in the future, it will and the entire staff of swisstopo to meet future visions.” continue to depend on exciting ideas, bold challenges. decisions and talented employees with visions. Ulrich Appenzeller, National Armaments Director, armasuisse

3 “swisstopo responds to individual cantonal needs.”

Paul Haffner, certified surveying engineer ETH, Head of the Surveying and Land Register Office, Canton Basel-Stadt

4 Kleine Scheidegg (BE), coordinates 2 640 105 / 1 159 406 159 1 / 105 Kleine Scheidegg (BE), coordinates 2 640

5 Geodesy

New coordinates for Switzerland

Switzerland’s coordinate system was determined with the national survey carried out in 1903 (LV03) and is now more than 100 years old. The surveying accuracy of that time has long since been overhauled, and today the coordinates in all of Switzerland can be determined to the millimeter thanks to modern satellite-assisted surveying methods.

Distortion of the former national survey LV03 (red grid) as compared to the new national survey LV95 (black grid) with a centimeter accuracy. The red arrows show the direction and magnitude of the local rectification from LV03 to LV95.

In the 1990s, the control points of the national groundwork and supports the cantons with survey were re-measured (National Survey 1995 = their implementation – for instance with special LV95) using the Global Positioning System (GPS). software and information brochures. From these results, a new so-called reference frame was derived, and Switzerland was assigned Transformation poses no problems new coordinates. In Canton Basel-Stadt, the transformation took place on November 1, 2013 in a single step, as These changes are significant particularly for explained by surveying engineer Paul Haffner surveying and civil engineers. The general public from the Cantonal Surveying and Land Register has already been confronted with the new authorities. “Being a small canton, we did not coordinates as new denotations on the national want to follow the same procedure as other topographic maps. The introduction for surveying cantons by making the conversion in two steps, is being carried out on a cantonal basis, and first changing to LV95 and then adjusting local should be finalized by the end of 2016 for the strains in a second step. We transformed all Federal Cadastral Survey. swisstopo provides the of our coordinates using the software program

6 “TRANSINT for GeoSuite” which was developed What does the new reference frame LV95 by swisstopo. Being a so-called Beta tester, we offer? were also able to contribute to the software itself. Thanks to the new reference frame LV95, modern surveying methods can be implemented easily The transformation to the new reference frame and efficiently. Various computations are simpler was realized smoothly in Canton Basel-Stadt. or can be left out entirely, and there are fewer Since November 1, 2013, the standard format is sources for errors. In the long term, the number LV95 for all cadastral surveying data, for the of control points requiring maintenance can public utilities cadaster and the cantonal geodata be reduced, resulting in lower cost. Moreover, it infrastructure. This also applies to representations will be easier to integrate spatial data from in various map viewers on the Internet as well different sources into geographic information as data issued via Geoshop. Even though the systems (GIS) and databases in the future. Also, transformation was made in a single day, quite a it will be simpler to connect data to global bit of preliminary work was required, accompa- reference systems or to those of our neighboring nied by great teamwork: “We were well prepared countries. and were able to count on the support of swisstopo at all times”, reports Paul Haffner. Had the new reference frame not been “The response to technical questions was quick adopted, the more accurate surveys observed and qualified, and the instruments available for with modern instruments would have had to be transforming the data are at a very high re-adjusted in order to fit the coordinates into standard.” the old, constrained reference frame LV03. Especially the geodata from satellite-assisted Support also in the field of communication observations and international campaigns are no Canton Basel-Stadt also benefited in a further longer compatible with the old Swiss geodata. aspect: “swisstopo prepared a very good All alternatives would be more time-consuming presentation of the new coordinates”, adds Paul and costly in the long term and would in addition Haffner. “There is a detailed and comprehensible be prone to error. question and answer catalogue explaining the initial situation and the advantages of the new Further information coordinates. Furthermore, the flyer published by For all information concerning the swisstopo for property owners renders valuable transformation of the reference frame, see service for informing the public.” www.swisstopo.ch/LV95

7 “The children have lots of fun and the learning potential is broad.”

Karin Schenker, primary school teacher in Mauensee, Canton Lucerne

8 swisstopo, Wabern (BE), coordinates 2 600 981 / 1 197 406 197 1 / swisstopo, Wabern (BE), coordinates 2 600 981

9 Topography

A treasure hunt with swisstopo

swisstopo launched the first treasure hunt – an online game for geography classes for students aged 10 to 15 years – already in 2010.

supplement. The learning potential is broad: “Not only can the children learn quite alot about geography and working with topographic maps, but they also have to learn how to follow instructions carefully and proceed methodically.” Furthermore, reading ability is called for: the instructions are presented in short texts which have to be read and understood. “Sometimes this The online treasure poses challenges for weaker students”, explains hunt with swisstopo Karin Schenker. went into its second In twelve steps, students not only learn round. about geodata in Switzerland, but the game also Early approach to children and adolescents encourages the use of geographic applications Gian, a bright 5th grader, is on the fast track in and online tools from swisstopo which are Mauensee: after about two weeks and approx. available in the federal geodata portal three hours online he already hoisted his treasure. map.geo.admin.ch. Because of its huge success, And now he’s helping others in finding their swisstopo presented a new edition of the game treasures. If Gian and his friends use the federal in 2013, this time focused on the topic “water”. geodata portal and the free tools later on, the game has fulfilled its purpose. Besides being fun Teachers and students are enthusiastic to play, the game should promote using the The cantonal educational departments provided portal and showing children how to deal with a swisstopo with the addresses of the schools website and what you can do with it. If they learn which were introduced to the game. For the first that there is a geodata portal for Switzerland edition in 2012/13, there were 1750 teams that can do a lot more than other map services, consisting of one or more students or an entire that’s already a good start. classroom. And shortly before Christmas 2013, again more than 1600 teams began the treasure hunt. The feedback is very gratifying: teachers and students are enthusiastic and are really interested in finding the mysterious aquatic treasure.

The 16 students from Karin Schenker’s 4th and 5th grades in Mauensee in the Canton of Lucerne are also trying to find the treasure. “Right now we are studying ‘Switzerland’, and this game is just super”, remarks Karin Schenker. The game does not replace any existing teaching material in her classroom but is a valuable educational

10 A treasure hunt across Switzerland The online game is structured methodically and designed that children and adolescents are accompanied by a teacher. After loggin in, the exciting treasure hunt can begin. In this new edition, the students help a kingfisher named Topo to unravel a secret message for finding the trail of the aquatic treasure. At each way station, information about water in general and how it is used can be processed. This additional information is also suitable for classroom presentations. Each way station has the key to the next station.

Once the treasure is found, students can design a collage on the topic water. They are then The winners of last year’s treasure hunt were treated to a special tour of swisstopo. eligible to take part in the contest for one of three main prizes which will be drawn in spring 2014: a visit at the Federal Office of Topography The following geodata are available for swisstopo and a financial contribution to the playing the game: classroom piggy bank. And everyone who arrives SWISSIMAGE, pixel maps, swissTLM3D hiking at the finish will get a topographic map. trails, VECTOR200 GWN (Hydrological network), swissBOUNDARIES3D, swissALTI3D, Dufour and Further information Siegfried maps, VECTOR25 railroad network, Website for the game: www.schatz-karte.ch Swiss geotopes, the official list of localities, as well as data from the Federal Office for Energy (nuclear power plants and hydroelectric plants), from the Federal Office for the Environment (marshlands) and the Federal Office for Agriculture (products from the Alps).

11 “The products from swisstopo are high -quality products and fit into our concept.”

Susanna Bächli, Product Manager and member of the Board of Managers, Bächli Bergsport Ltd.

12 Col du Gd St-Bernard (VS), coordinates 2 579 702 / 1 079 883 1 Col du Gd St-Bernard (VS), coordinates 2 579 702 /

13 Cartography

A pocket-size hiking map

In its anniversary year, swisstopo launched a new hiking map series of popular tourist regions in Switzerland. These new maps fulfill a number of dreams often expressed by hikers in the past: they are waterproof and tear-resistant, handy and at an attractive price.

Larger scale and more legible Of course this doesn’t just happen by itself: It almost seems revolutionary to issue a map A product has to be promoted so that customers at the scale 1: 33 333 – the middle course, so to can get to know it. swisstopo is very supportive speak, between the usual swisstopo scales of in this respect and provides us with information 1: 25 000 and 1: 50 000. A kilometer in reality now and display material for making eye-catching corresponds to three centimeters on the map, presentations of the new maps in our stores.” and the map image and lettering on the map are also larger and more legible. The new dimensions Up to now, the most popular map was “3301T of 17.5 × 11 cm make it somewhat smaller but Säntis” followed by “3303T Creux du Van”, more practical and they fit in almost all pockets, which was rather surprising. Further maps of this jackets and backpacks. The map extract is series will be published, but they will not cover appealing as well: the area covered by the map is all of Switzerland systematically. About 20 maps no longer confined to the conventional are planned for the most popular tourist regions. topographical map sheets but shows popular Susanna Bächli could imagine that her customers hiking regions. Two factors contributed to the would also welcome such waterproof and attractive price: firstly, the Geoinformation Act tear-resistant maps at the scale 1: 33 333 for the brought about lowered tariffs which are passed popular Snowshoe and Ski Tour Map series. directly to the customer, and secondly, innovative swisstopo also finds this very plausible, especially processes on existing facilities resulted in more when considering questions such as: What does a efficient and economic production. printed map have to look like in the age of digital media and free products on the Internet, An attractive product and what must it offer to be commercially swisstopo is very pleased by this new product. successful. Despite fierce competition from digital And what do the customers have to say about the media, maps on paper are still very popular – new maps? Susanna Bächli, Product Manager and especially if they keep up with the times. member of the Board of Managers at Bächli Bergsport Ltd., asked around: “Our clients really like this new map and consider it a logical addition to the existing product range. The map extract is very good – and of course so is the price” mentions Susanna Bächli. The new maps are entirely in line with the products at Bächli Bergsport Ltd.: “Being a specialized dealer, we count on quality and want to stand out from our competitors. The products from swisstopo are high-quality products and fit into our concept.”

14 1: 33 333: The waterproof hiking maps in a practical format During 2013, ten new hiking maps at the scale 1: 33 333 were published for the following popular hiking regions:

3301T Säntis 3302T Château-d’Oex 3303T Creux du Van Knowing where: the new hiking maps are very popular everywhere. 3304T Gstaad – Lenk – Adelboden 3305T Crans-Montana 3306T Zermatt – Saas Fee 3307T Titlis 3308T Locarno 3309T Arosa – Davos 3310T Safiental – Lenzerheide

The synthetic paper is very durable, waterproof and tear-resistant – even with frequent use. Ecological aspects were also taken into account: the paper is chlorine-free and non-polluting. Each map includes three hiking routes suggested by the Swiss Hiking Federation with varying degrees of difficulty.

Further information www.swisstopo.ch/maps

15 “I’m impressed and inspired by the know-how shown by the swisstopo staff!”

Urban Kägi, Certified Computer Scientist at the University of Zurich, General Manager of BitBee Solutions Ltd. and member of the project team “rollstuhlparkplatz.ch”

16 Nottwil (LU), Swiss Paraplegic Centre, coordinates 2 652 315 / 1 221 500 221 1 / Nottwil (LU), Swiss Paraplegic Centre, coordinates 2 652 315

17 Cadastral Survey

A central website for wheelchair parking spaces

Numerous GIS and web applications require georeferenced data as background information. Often these data had to be obtained from private providers. Since 2012 this is no longer necessary, thanks to the new viewing service CadastralWebMap from the Cadastral Survey.

No costs or royalties CadastralWebMap allows the graphic representa- tion of condensed data from the Cadastral Survey to be used as background information for different applications at larger scales. The service is free of charge, has no added royalties, and upon registration can be integrated into different portals, including the federal geodata portal www.map.geo.admin.ch. The data are updated on a monthly basis. This service is linked to geodata portals of Swiss cantons and allows central access to official surveying data from most cantons and from the Principality of Liechtenstein.

One of the projects to have benefited from CadastralWebMap is www.rollstuhlparkplatz.ch (= wheelchair parking spaces). Together with BitBee Solutions Ltd. which was responsible for the technical aspects, this project was realized in 2012, the centenary of the Cadastral Survey. Urban Kägi, general manager of BitBee Solutions, With a mouse click to wheelchair parking spaces, including IT specialist and himself a wheelchair user, has address and description. had this heartfelt dream for a long time: “I had the idea of creating a site showing the accessibility of parking spaces for wheelchairs already seven years ago.” The incentive for project “rollstuhlparkplatz.ch” was when the executive board of the trade union for Engineering Geometers of Switzerland (IGS) approached his company during the centenary of the Cadastral Survey, and also marked the beginning of a close collaboration with swisstopo. “I’m impressed and inspired by the know-how shown by the swisstopo staff”, said Urban Kägi, “and also by their support for realizing this project.”

18 A very busy site Cadastralinfo: property information per There are approx. 10 000 wheelchair parking mouse click spaces in Switzerland. In mid-December 2013, During the year under review the Cadastral surveying offices had registered and separately Survey launched its service Cadastralinfo. This described around 8200 of them for “rollstuhl- allows easy Internet access to different informa- parkplatz.ch”. A click on a parking space on the tion about the Swiss cadaster. Information on map shows the description of the registered property is a mouse click away: just enter an parking space: the exact address, if it is covered address, a parcel number or national coordinates. or not, and who registered the data. Whether The application then searches for the requested it is a side space or if there is a curb can be seen property and provides the corresponding on a photo. The demand is enormous: there information as well as a plan and an aerial are several thousand clicks per month – and on photograph. Furthermore, the addresses of the the increase. relevant land registry office and of the local surveyor responsible for revisions are also shown. However, Cadastralinfo does not disclose who owns the property. This service is useful not only for administrative offices and private enterprise, but also for citizens requiring direct access to different information relevant to property and the land register.

Further information Access to the website: www.rollstuhlparkplatz.ch Information about CadastralWebMap: www.cadastre.ch/cwm Property information via Cadastralinfo: www.cadastre.ch/info

19 “These are really powerful images!”

Pierre Dessemontet, geographer, spatial analyst and founder of MicroGIS Ltd.

20 Fribourg (FR), center of vocational education, coordinates 2 578 562 / 1 184 131 184 1 Fribourg (FR), center of vocational education, coordinates 2 578 562 /

21 COGIS

Back to the future

swisstopo traveled through time in 2013. A new online viewer makes it possible to look back at almost 175 years of cartographic history for any place and region in Switzerland.

The investment for realizing this worldwide to have to get your information from different unique service was considerable: 8000 maps were sources and consult various maps. Today, one is selected, scanned and oriented, beginning with two mouse clicks away from any place one the Dufour Map series (1844 – 1939), followed wants to go. With this service, we can show the by the Siegfried Map series (1870 – 1949) and entire range and knowledge of our map material. finally the National Map series (1938 until today). All of it stems from a single source and is free of All of the data had to be digitized, georeferenced charge as well – what a great deal”, he rejoices. and implemented in an application – and all of it manually. The result is a fascinating combination 40 000 requests per day of historical and modern cartographic material, Besides collecting the material and ensuring and a unique journey through the history of our that the data were georeferenced as accurately as country. possible, one of the challenges for the makers of the journey through time was ensuring the Like a movie required bandwidth through Cloud Computing to These journeys through time visualize the guarantee the accessibility of the service. The changes of the landscape and population of a launch of the service was widely covered by the region and show how settlement and transporta- media and during the first few days there were up tion infrastructures have evolved. Geographer to 40 000 hits per day – or in other words, 40 000 Pierre Dessemontet, spatial analyst and founder time journeys per day. of MicroGIS Ltd., is enthusiastic: “It is very impressive to see how these time journeys show the changes of an area in the course of time – a dynamic rather than a static documentation of events.” He mentions the area of Lausanne-West as a good example: “It’s like watching a movie of how urbanization developed, and you can also tell that the architects already envisioned future developments, for instance with respect to transportation infrastructures such as highways. These are really powerful images, influential in making political decisions with a long-term impact.” These time series not only allow us to look back in time, but they are also an indication of what a region might look like in the future.

Pierre Dessemontet really does like printed maps and has many of them himself, but he wouldn’t like to do without modern technology. “You used

22 How a munitions plant disappeared from the map and reappeared again Especially impressive are time journeys in regions with marked or dramatic changes during the course of time – for example in the region of the Aletsch Glacier where the receding glacier can be observed over decades, almost like a movie. Or when you can see entire villages in the Marmorera plains in the Grisons disappear in the artificial lake in 1954. Furthermore, the political climate has also become visible, as demonstrated by the example of the munitions plant near Wimmis: it is included on maps until the beginning of the 1930s. After that it disappears completely until the beginning of the 1990s, when it reappears again. Of course there is a logical explanation to this: during the Cold War the munitions plant continued to exist but it was not allowed to show it on maps. Take a look for yourself in the time journey in Wimmis …

Further information Go directly to the time series service on the upper right of our website www.swisstopo.ch and click on “Journey through time”.

The interim disappearance of the munitions plant near Wimmis (map extracts from 1919, 1992 and 2012).

23 “A new and fascinating format for future hiking maps.”

Thomas Buckingham, geologist and representative of UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona

24 Pinut, Flims (GR), coordinates 2 742 225 / 1 190 042 190 1 Pinut, Flims (GR), coordinates 2 742 225 /

25 Geological Survey

Reading the landscape

What does the average person actually know about geology? And how about the “Swiss Geological Survey” at swisstopo? A poll has shown that most people associate geology with natural phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and only specialists are familiar with the Geological Survey.

In 2012, swisstopo launched a project called firstly regarding the additional geological “Geology for all” with the aim of familiarizing information, and then because it’s so practical. and motivating the public with the “study of the The entire region is now on a single map instead earth”. Geological information should be of having to consult six to eight different maps.” available in an understandable form to everyone – for example with the new Hiking and Geological 53 stops and additional geological Map “5080T Tektonikarena Sardona” at the scale information 1: 50 000 published in summer 2013. The 53 stops on the map indicate different geological highlights. These posed a real A worldwide unique region challenge to the map-makers: “There are two The “Tectonic Arena Sardona” is a region kinds of attractions”, explains Thomas Bucking- covering more than 300 km² around Piz Sardona ham. “On the one hand there are interesting rock bordering along the cantons St. Gall, Glarus and forms and stones that lie practically at one’s feet, the Grisons, and was accepted in the UNESCO and on the other hand there are views of different World Heritage List in 2008. This area is unique structures and surface formations that can only in the world because the geological processes be recognized from a distance.” A line of sight that form mountains are particularly visible here. next to the stop indicates in which direction the Special indications in the new Hiking and hiker should look. Finding appealing color codes Geological Map bring these formations and for these new symbols and positioning them processes to the attention of hikers. Furthermore, systematically required lots of imagination and the map provides geological information creativity by the map designers. about different kinds of structures, rock and surface formations along the hiking routes, and Thomas Buckingham can very well imagine that also about geological sites that can be visited. future hiking maps will also be supplemented by geological information. “It’s a fascinating format – Combining the two special fields of cartography and the interest in geology by the general public and geology on a single hiking map is a novelty. is on the increase.” Indications along the trails on the map show locations that are explained on the reverse side. The map was realized in a joint project by swisstopo and geologist Thomas Buckingham, representative of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. He is happy with this outstanding product: “The new map was received well by tourist destinations. Visitors find it really convenient,

26 “Geology of Switzerland – Knowledge from Underground”

In the year under review, swisstopo also issued a new publication. The goal is to promote the accessibility and distribution of geological data in Switzerland and provide a clear and comprehensible overview. “Geology of Switzer- Extract of the Hiking and Geological Map 5080T “Tektonikarena Sardona”. land – Knowledge from Underground” furnishes decision makers as well as amateurs with information about the significance of geology Further information and the underground in everyday life and Information about “Geology for all”: facilitates access to geological and other relevant www.swisstopo.ch/geol4all data. Information about the UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona: www.unesco-sardona.ch The four main topics treated in the book are basic Information about Geopark Sardona: data, resources, natural hazards and environmen- www.geopark.ch tal pollution, as well as geology in everyday life. No special prior knowledge is required for understanding the text which is supplemented by numerous graphic illustrations and photographs. The publication in four languages (German, French, Italian and English) can be ordered in the Toposhop (www.toposhop.ch) for CHF 20.00.

27 “I will remain closely associated with swisstopo even during retirement.”

Jean-Philippe Amstein, Director of swisstopo 2006 to 2014

“As Director of swisstopo, I always understood it my duty to provide a good working atmosphere for attracting good people who are proud to work at swisstopo.”

28 Face-to-face

“I was lucky – and had lots of support!”

Jean-Philippe Amstein has been Director of the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo since 2006. In mid-2014 he will go into early retirement.

Jean-Philippe Amstein, what made you example driving for the Red Cross Service. decide to go into early retirement in 2014? We will of course cultivate our social contacts, Already for some time I considered retiring at the and maybe I might tackle something completely age of 62, and during the past year this idea new. For instance, I can’t cook at all, and – who matured. I realized that I was getting tired faster knows – maybe I’ll want to learn one day. In any and that it took longer to bounce back. I saw this case, I’d like to take advantage of the little things as a signal to slow down a bit. I’m still in good offered by life and enjoy it. shape, but I don’t want to risk my health. Another important aspect is that swisstopo is in top form. You were Director of swisstopo for more I can present my successor, Fridolin Wicki, with a than eight years. In your opinion, what well-functioning agency – also a great feeling characterized this period most? for me. Furthermore, since my wife is retiring as There were of course ups and downs, but I found well, both of us can now begin this new chapter it especially gratifying that I always had lots of together. support – from the very beginning. I think that I was lucky to be head of swisstopo during a good How do you envision retiring from one day period. I will always retain fond memories of to the next after so many years of work? my colleagues, professional as well as personal. This will indeed not be easy for me. I grew up on a farm and worked already as a boy, helping What would you wish for swisstopo for wherever I could. To suddenly not have to work the next years – and also for your successor? anymore will surely seem somewhat unusual. I hope that swisstopo can fulfill the task of As Director of swisstopo, I maintained many Competence Center for Geoinformation, business contacts that will now cease to exist, including all that goes with it. My wish for and in addition I will lose the status I enjoyed as Fridolin Wicki is that he can make the right Director. These are radical changes – not to choices, and that he will be as lucky as I was. mention that swisstopo was “my” agency, and letting go will surely not be easy. I will always care about what is going on at swisstopo, but I will certainly not meddle.

How did you prepare yourself for retirement? Do you have any plans yet? I think that at first I’ll probably take a few weeks of vacation. But then it seems important to me to establish a kind of structure in everyday life. I would like to do more sports like biking and hiking in summer and skiing in winter. I intend to look into some kind of charitable activity, for

29 Face-to-face

Looking back at a jubilee

The festivities surrounding the 175th anniversary of swisstopo began in January 2013 with the launch of the new web application “Journey through time”. Highlights were the celebration on the Gurten and Open House.

3500 visitors on Open House Open House took place on September 14, 2013, here in Wabern – for the first time since 2005. About 3500 visitors experienced and discovered the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo under the motto “Yesterday – Today – Tomor- row”. With old instruments and photographs, or by comparing former and modern measuring methods, each visitor could envision the rapid development of swisstopo on his own. Specialists in relief shading demonstrated live how topographic maps used to be made by hand – what a difference to today’s production!

Many visitors took the opportunity to visit our Jean-Philippe Amstein and President of the Confederation Ueli Maurer on the Gurten. printing shop. There they could see first-hand how today’s – and tomorrow’s maps – are For all employees at swisstopo, the place to be produced. Also the new geoinformation systems on June 28, 2013, was the Gurten, the local were explained as well a current projects. This mountain in Bern: The anniversary celebration on day meant an enormous amount of preparatory the Gurten was a successful party with great work for us – and a logistic challenge: at the entertainment, inspiring conversations and last Open House there were crowds of visitors in gastronomic glee. We were honored to welcome the hallways, so this time we wanted to do it Ueli Maurer, President of the Confederacy, and differently. And we succeeded: the large tent in were touched by his words of praise when he the inner courtyard turned out to be a good called our institute “a pearl”. General Secretary solution. Also the varied program including Brigitte Rindlisbacher-Wittwer, National information, presentations and different activities Armaments Director Ulrich Appenzeller, and inspired young as well as older visitors. It was a Luc Mentha, mayor of Köniz, also attended. very intensive but great day for us – and hopefully Earlier that year, a panorama, or rather a also for all of those who were there! “DIGIRAMA” was inaugurated on the Gurten Tower. There are two versions of this 360° panoramic view: one shows the landscape as it is today, and the other one depicts the time around 1838, a premiere in Switzerland.

30 How are maps made? Our house was full on Open House. A part of the new panoramic view of the house of Parliament, inaugurated in March 2013.

175 years swisstopo: a manifold program • On June 28, the anniversary was highlighted • Designing and distributing a calendar and with a lavish celebration for the staff and notebook for members of the staff, pensioners pensioners and partners of swisstopo • Open House on Sept. 14: approx. 3500 visitors • The starting signal: at a press conference came to Wabern in January, swisstopo informs the media about • Various guided field trips focusing on geology the new web application “Journey through took place in different parts of Switzerland time” and different activities such as the during the hiking season monthly geocaching treasure hunt across • Instead of an annual report, swisstopo issued a Switzerland 50-page commemorative publication • The panoramic view of the parliament reviewing 175 years of cartographic history in buildings and the Gurten was inaugurated in Switzerland March. It consists of digital geodata from swisstopo and is thus called a DIGIRAMA. The interactive site tiptopo.ch was launched during the same month. With this application, a visitor can take a look behind the scenes at swisstopo. • At the beginning of April the sculpture “Ding 1: x” is moved next to the main entrance to swisstopo. It was originally created for the 150th anniversary and has now found a new place.

31 swisstopo

Organisation chart February 1, 2014

Deputy Director Director Management Fridolin Wicki Jean-Philippe Amstein Management process

Geodesy Geodetic Bases and Permanent Networks Elmar Brockmann Adrian Wiget Geodetic Control Points Andreas Schlatter Bruno Vogel (deputy) Positioning and Navigation Urs Wild Geodetic Developments and Contractual Work Matthias Kistler

Topography Image Data and Height Models Stéphane Bovet André Streilein Topographic Landscape Model Emanuel Schmassmann Emanuel Schmassmann (deputy) Data Provision and Derived Models Jean-Christophe Guélat Distribution of Geodata and Analogue Collection Susanne Dräyer Relling Catherine Marion Taverney

Sector Innovation Tobias Kellenberger a.i.

Cartography Cartography Production Thorsten Kossack Acquisition of geodata Olaf Forte Interactive Map Applications Reto Künzler Dominik Käuferle (deputy) Publishing Urs Isenegger Graphic Data Center Thomas Wehrli Printing Center Kurt Wiedmer Technology and Innovation Dominik Käuferle Vocational Education in Geomatics Stefan Arn

Federal Directorate General Management of cadastral surveying Markus Sinniger of Cadastral Surveying PLR-cadastre and Coordination Marc Nicodet Fridolin Wicki Technology and Development Robert Balanche Marc Nicodet (deputy) Information and Administration Elisabeth Bürki Gyger Legal Services Madeleine Pickel

Coordination, Geo-Information FSDI Coordination and Projects Rolf Buser and Services COGIS FSDI Web Infrastructure Cédric Moullet

Sector Alain Buogo GIS Centre Werner Balmer Rolf Buser (deputy) Information Technologies Dominique Dufour Geocoordination

Swiss Geological Survey Geological Mapping Andreas Möri Olivier Lateltin Geological Information Center Peter Hayoz Andreas Möri (deputy) Geological Data Olivier Lateltin a.i. Rock laboratory and deep geological disposal Paul Bossart

Support Management Assistance Ruth Egger Marcel Jäggi Human Resources Brigitte Bieri Brigitte Bieri (deputy) Financial Accounting Martina Rhyner Sector

Support Internal Cost-accounting Christine Sperisen Bigler Logistics Manuel Grossenbacher

Base Data for Institute of Projects Environmental Monitoring Communication and Web Military Geography Werner Balmer Urs Gerber Ruedi Bösch Philippe Schütz

32 Annual report swisstopo Figures 2013

Human resources

Number of full-time jobs Number of employees (not counting apprentices)

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

2013 308.40 2013 346

2012 293.20 2012 327

2011 290.35 2011 312

2010 282.10 2010 312

swisstopo 2009 261.35 2009 286 knowing where

Number of part-time jobs (not counting apprentices) Number of apprentices

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

2013 141 40.8% 2013 26

2012 127 38.8% 2012 27

2011 115 35.8% 2011 26

2010 109 34.9% 2010 24

2009 85 30.4% 2009 23

Number of employees whose mother-tongue is French Number of women (not counting apprentices) or Italian (not counting apprentices)

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

2013 89 25.7% 2013 67 19.4%

2012 78 23.9% 2012 61 18.7%

2011 72 22.4% 2011 58 18.1%

2010 68 21.8% 2010 57 18.3%

2009 62 21.7% 2009 52 18.2%

Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Federal Office of Topography swisstopo Confédération suisse www.swisstopo.ch Confederazione Svizzera Confederaziun svizra

33 swisstopo: Figures 2013

Key figures

Earning, external federal revenues Earning, internal federal revenues

Mn. CHF 0 10 20 Mn. CHF 0 10 20

2013 11.5 2013 13.1

2012 11.1 2012 12.8

2011 13.0 2011 11.9

2010 15.9 2010 12.1

2009 15.9 2009 17.6

Expenses, running costs (operating expenses)

Mn. CHF 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

2013 62.0

2012 60.5

2011 57.0

2010 53.9

2009 51.9

Expenses, internal federal accounting

Mn. CHF 0 10

2013 6.5

2012 7.0

2011 6.0

2010 6.0

2009 6.3

Operational accounting, cost recovery level Productive working hours

2013 33.1% 2013 581 800

2012 32.0% 2012 568 900

2011 35.6% 2011 555 800

2010 40.7% 2010 526 400

2009 50.3% 2009 497 400

34 swisstopo: Figures 2013

Production statistics

Geodata swissBOUNDARIES3D: Update of the entire data set VECTOR200: Update of the entire data set swissTLM-Map: Update of the entire data set swissTLM3D: 45 sheets of the National Map 1:25 000 SWISSIMAGE (year 2012/2013): Update of 73 sheets of the National Map 1:25 000 SWISSIMAGE FCIR (year 2012/2013): Update of 99 sheets of the National Map 1:25 000 Development and update of the height model swissALTI3D: Update of 48 sheets of the National Map 1:25 000 Aerial image strips: 567 aerial image strips were taken of a total of 15,659 km Pan-European data set EuroBoundaryMap und EuroRegionalMap: Update of the entire perimeter CH and FL Basis data delivered to the Cartography Division for: 39 sheets of the National Map 1:25 000, 20 Hiking Maps 1:50 000 (including 5080T Tektonikarena Sardona and 2502T)

Printed Maps Normal sheets of the National Map Series, update of: 42 sheets of the National Map 1:25 000 13 sheets of the National Map 1:50 000 5 sheets of the National Map 1:100 000

Composites of the National Map Series, update of: 6 sheets 1:25 000 2 sheets 1:50 000 1 sheet 1:100 000

Thematic maps, update of: 10 Hiking Maps 1:50 000 1 Hiking Map composite 1:25 000 4 Hiking Maps composite 1:50 000 (including Tektonikarena Sardona) 10 Hiking Maps composite 1:33 333 6 Snowshoe and Ski Tour Maps 1:50 000 1 Road Map 1:200 000 1 ICAO Map 1:500 000 1 Glider Chart 1:300 000 23 Air Navigation Obstacles Maps 1:100 000

Interactive solutions Swiss Map online: 3 updates Swiss Map Mobile iOS: 4 updates Swiss Map Mobile Android: 4 updates Anniversary 175 years swisstopo: Launch of www.tiptopo.ch

35 swisstopo: Figures 2013

Geodetic data Continuously processed GNSS permanent stations: Automatic GNSS Network of Switzerland (AGNES): 31 stations International/European permanent stations (IGS/EPN): 84 stations Positioning service swipos-GIS/GEO: 1554 licenses

1 Planimetric control points: ⁄5 of Switzerland is revised (area of Central, Northern and Eastern Switzerland) Vertical control points: 90 km of the precise levelling network newly measured

Geological Products Report of the Swiss Geological Survey: Nr. 4: Lötschberg-Basistunnel: zusammenfassender geologischer Schlussbericht

Status of cadastral surveying on December 31, 2013

70.2% digital data available (+3.2%) 15.5% digital data in preparation (– 2.4%) 2.5% conventional data available (– 0.1%) 8.7% not yet surveyed (– 0.6%) 3.1% lakes (0%)

(modifications compared to 2012)

Statistic for the geodata infrastructure 4.3 million users via the geoportal operated by swisstopo 570 clients via the Application Programming Interface (API) 320 topics available in the Federal Geodata Infrastructure

Federal Office of Topography swisstopo Edition: 2000 copies in German, 700 copies in French www.swisstopo.ch swisstopo thinks ecologically: the Italian and English versions of the annual report are available as a PDF under www.swisstopo.ch/annual-report Federal Office of Topography swisstopo Design: Atelier Ursula Heilig SGD Seftigenstrasse 264, CH-3084 Wabern Text: escribo/Claudia Fahlbusch Tel. +41 31 963 21 11, Fax +41 31 963 24 59 Photos and illustrations: Béatrice Devènes (cover, p. 2–5, 8/9, [email protected] 11–13, 16/17, 20/21, 24/25, 28); others swisstopo. Photography kindly supported by: Marianne and Paul Devènes, Christoph Kunz, Stefan Beckel and class 8c School Worbboden (BE). email addresses • Federal Office of Topography swisstopo: Cover: Pinut, Flims, coordinates 2 742 180 / 1 190 252 [email protected] • Geodesy: [email protected] • Federal Directorate of Cadastral Surveying: [email protected] • Aerial photographs and geodata: [email protected] • Sale of publications (maps and DVDS): [email protected] • COGIS: [email protected]