DOCSLIB.ORG

Explaining the Reactions of Swiss Municipalities To

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Explaining the Reactions of Swiss Municipalities To When politics does matter: Explaining the reactions of Swiss municipalities to the “amalgamation wave”. Stefano Calciolari, PhD Assistant Professor in Health Care Management Faculty of Economics, Università della Svizzera italiana Via G. Buffi 13, CH 6904, Lugano, Switzerland e-mail: [email protected] Daniela Cristofoli, PhD Assistant Professor in Public Management Faculty of Economics, Università della Svizzera italiana Via G. Buffi 13, CH 6904, Lugano, Switzerland e-mail: [email protected] Laura Maccio PhD students in Public Management Faculty of Economics, Università della Svizzera italiana Via G. Buffi 13, CH 6904, Lugano, Switzerland e-mail: [email protected] “When politics does matters: Explaining the reactions of Swiss municipalities at amalgamation wave. Introduction Switzerland is a federalist country in the core of Europe. It is made up of 26 Cantons and approximately 2,500 municipalities. About 55% of the municipalities have less than 1,000 inhabitants and only eight municipalities have more than 500,000 inhabitants (Swiss Federal Statistical Office, 2010). Swiss municipalities are very different from the social, cultural and political standpoints (Steiner 2000). However, each one is responsible for providing a wide range of public services, for instance: education during the compulsory time of schooling, social services, utilities and waste disposal, local police, granting of civil rights and internal organization of the civil authorities, etc. During the 90s, the growing citizen demand for high quality services and the strict budget constraints of many municipalities (Ladner and Steiner 1998) raised a political debate on how to ensure effective and efficient fulfilment of municipal tasks. In this debate, amalgamation emerged as a “panacea” to handle the financial distress faced by many Swiss municipalities and often considered due to their small size (Dafflon 2001; Ladner 2001; Soguel 2001). As a consequence, 21 Cantons issued reform laws (Ladner et al. 2000) to promote inter-municipal collaboration and amalgamation. The phenomenon gradually gained momentum, and 263 amalgamations occurred in the period 1960-2009 (Swiss Federal Statistical Office, 2010). As a consequence, the number of 2 Swiss municipalities decreased by about 15% (from 3,095 to 2,636) in almost fifty years, after about a century of stability. Canton Ticino’s amalgamation policy was one of the most proactive in the Confederation in the last decade. At the end of the 90s, a cantonal law was issued encouraging municipal amalgamations. However, despite the economic and the institutional pressures towards amalgamation, 15% municipalities refused amalgamation and the 47% showed indifference. Both the strength and direction of the environmental pressure and the strategic nature of such a change raise the question: how can we explain the different behaviours of Swiss municipalities? Drawing from the New Institutional literature, we assumed the Oliver’s (1991) model as theoretical framework useful to look for answers. The empirical setting of our analysis consisted of the municipalities in Canton Ticino. We considered 245 municipalities existing in 2000 and focused on their behaviour during the period 2000-2009. Results show that economic and institutional pressures alone are not sufficient to convince municipalities to merge. The political trigger is an important driver of such a strategic decision. On one side, our analysis contributes to better explain the success or failure of managerial reforms in the public sector; on the other side, it provides public managers and policy-makers with useful suggestions about how to make managerial reforms succeed. The paper is organized into three parts. The first part (next two sections) reviews the extant literature on municipal amalgamation, presents the theoretical framework and formulates our hypotheses (third section); the second part explains the study methods and the third part (last two sections) presents and discusses results. 3 Reasons for municipal amalgamation: in search of economy Municipal amalgamation is a quite common phenomenon, above all due to the small size of many municipalities all over the world. More or less every Western and Northern European country reduced the number of municipalities in the last fifty years. Nordic countries (Nelson 1992) and the United Kingdom (Goldsmith 1996) engaged in aggressive policies toward municipal amalgamation, leading to eliminate more than three fourths of their municipalities. Amalgamations also occurred in France and Switzerland (Steiner 2000; Soguel 2001), in East European countries such as Bulgaria and Romania (Hajnal 2001; Swianiewicz 2006; Borecky and Prudky 2008), in the United States and in Canada (Miranda and Lerner 1995, Sancton 1996; Kushner and Siegel 2005). Despite the diffusion of the phenomenon, municipal amalgamation remains a rarely investigated topic in the academic literature. In addition, the extant studies focused mainly on mergers’ desired consequences for both the involved municipalities and their citizens, rather than on the reasons behind the decision to join or avoid amalgamation. From the municipalities’ standpoint, one of the more frequently quoted reason in favour of municipal amalgamation is represented by the opportunity to exploit scale and scope economies. The increase of the small size of many municipalities – with the consequential scale and/or scope economies – is in fact often associated with the opportunity to provide services at lower costs or deliver higher quality services at the same cost (Nelson 1992; Sancton 1996). Another reason deal with the fact that larger municipalities can provide citizens with a wider range of services (McKay 2004). In fact, empirical studies showed that municipalities below 3–5,000 inhabitants cannot perform well in managing important public responsibilities, thus making the service provision inefficient and hardly effective (Dowding et al. 1994; Keating 1995; Sharpe 1995; Boyne 2003; Baldersheim and Rose 2010). 4 Another argument in favour of amalgamation deals with its benefits in terms of equity. According to Swianiewicz (2006), countries with large municipalities know fewer income differences between municipalities, thus resulting in a lower level of social tensions. In addition, Swianiewicz (2006) argues that amalgamations tend to reduce the problem of free- riding, as large municipalities have lower incongruity between administrative boundaries and catchment areas of services. From the citizens’ standpoint, political participation, the wish to protect local democracy and local identities are often quoted as reasons against amalgamation (McKay 2004). According to this perspective, municipal separation does provide citizens with a better representation of their interests and lower political conflicts. On the basis of the aforementioned considerations, it looks manifest that strong economic reasons prevail behind municipal amalgamations (they are often promoted to support efficiency or functional capacity of local governments), whereas social and political considerations normally oppose to their implementation. Municipal amalgamation in Switzerland: reforms and institutional pressure Swiss municipalities have low geographical extension and population density: on average, they have 15,9 square kilometres and 2,843 inhabitants, with 44% of the Swiss population living in just 5% of all municipalities (Swiss Federal Statistical Office 2010). Cantons have 100 municipalities on average, with the minimum of three municipalities in Canton Basel- Stadt and a maximum of 388 municipalities in Canton Bern. Corippo – in Canton Ticino – is the smallest municipality (18 inhabitants) and Zurich – in Canton Zurich – the largest one (365,132 inhabitants). This situation resulted from a long-lasting amalgamation process started in the mid of the XIX century and that knew a peak during the ‘90s, due to structural economic weaknesses of 5 many municipalities: in particular, amalgamations have been promoted and implemented by those Cantons with small and weekly performing municipalities (Steiner 2000). Today about 85% of Swiss Cantons have discussed or implemented municipal amalgamations (Steiner and Kaiser 2010), resulting in a significant reduction of the number of Swiss municipalities over time: from 3,203 municipalities in 1850 to 3,021 in 1990 and 2,596 in 2010. At the beginning of the 90s, Canton Ticino had 247 municipalities with 2,300 inhabitants on average1 and small municipalities often facing situations of financial hardship (Dipartimento delle istituzioni, Sezione degli enti locali 1998; Steiner 2000). In this situation, amalgamations were promoted as one of the three pillars of the municipality reform law (LOC, 1987). The three pillars of the cantonal reform were: i) dimensional adjustment of municipalities through aggregations; ii) changes in the distribution of competences and financial flows between municipalities and Canton; iii) new rules and procedures to improve decision-making and optimize public service delivery. According to the Cantonal strategy (Dipartimento delle istituzioni, Sezione degli enti locali, 1998), municipal amalgamations should have ensured economies of scale, as municipalities with less than 200 inhabitants had higher per capita expenses than municipalities with more than 6,000 inhabitants. The diffusion of the amalgamation process led to a significant reduction in the number of municipalities over time: 245 in 2000, 199 in 2005, and 169 municipalities
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Canton of Basel-Stadt
    Canton of Basel-Stadt Welcome. VARIED CITY OF THE ARTS Basel’s innumerable historical buildings form a picturesque setting for its vibrant cultural scene, which is surprisingly rich for THRIVING BUSINESS LOCATION CENTRE OF EUROPE, TRINATIONAL such a small canton: around 40 museums, AND COSMOPOLITAN some of them world-renowned, such as the Basel is Switzerland’s most dynamic busi- Fondation Beyeler and the Kunstmuseum ness centre. The city built its success on There is a point in Basel, in the Swiss Rhine Basel, the Theater Basel, where opera, the global achievements of its pharmaceut- Ports, where the borders of Switzerland, drama and ballet are performed, as well as ical and chemical companies. Roche, No- France and Germany meet. Basel works 25 smaller theatres, a musical stage, and vartis, Syngenta, Lonza Group, Clariant and closely together with its neighbours Ger- countless galleries and cinemas. The city others have raised Basel’s profile around many and France in the fields of educa- ranks with the European elite in the field of the world. Thanks to the extensive logis- tion, culture, transport and the environment. fine arts, and hosts the world’s leading con- tics know-how that has been established Residents of Basel enjoy the superb recre- temporary art fair, Art Basel. In addition to over the centuries, a number of leading in- ational opportunities in French Alsace as its prominent classical orchestras and over ternational logistics service providers are well as in Germany’s Black Forest. And the 1000 concerts per year, numerous high- also based here. Basel is a successful ex- trinational EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse- profile events make Basel a veritable city hibition and congress city, profiting from an Freiburg is a key transport hub, linking the of the arts.
    [Show full text]
  • Clarity on Swiss Taxes 2019
    Clarity on Swiss Taxes Playing to natural strengths 4 16 Corporate taxation Individual taxation Clarity on Swiss Taxes EDITORIAL Welcome Switzerland remains competitive on the global tax stage according to KPMG’s “Swiss Tax Report 2019”. This annual study analyzes corporate and individual tax rates in Switzerland and internationally, analyzing data to draw comparisons between locations. After a long and drawn-out reform process, the Swiss Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing (TRAF) is reaching the final stages of maturity. Some cantons have already responded by adjusting their corporate tax rates, and others are sure to follow in 2019 and 2020. These steps towards lower tax rates confirm that the Swiss cantons are committed to competitive taxation. This will be welcomed by companies as they seek stability amid the turbulence of global protectionist trends, like tariffs, Brexit and digital service tax. It’s not just in Switzerland that tax laws are being revised. The national reforms of recent years are part of a global shift towards international harmonization but also increased legislation. For tax departments, these regulatory developments mean increased pressure. Their challenge is to safeguard compliance, while also managing the risk of double or over-taxation. In our fast-paced world, data-driven technology and digital enablers will play an increasingly important role in achieving these aims. Peter Uebelhart Head of Tax & Legal, KPMG Switzerland Going forward, it’s important that Switzerland continues to play to its natural strengths to remain an attractive business location and global trading partner. That means creating certainty by finalizing the corporate tax reform, building further on its network of FTAs, delivering its “open for business” message and pressing ahead with the Digital Switzerland strategy.
    [Show full text]
  • Tavola III La Questione Della Leventina Di Mario Agliati
    TAVOLA III parti del Cantone»; e invece con Uri si sa­ Il governo ticinese non era preso alla sprov­ rebbe dato tutto l'opposto, sicché i suoi fi­ vista, ché pìu segnali ormai l'avevano già gli sarebbero stati «liberi, contenti, e in precedenza avvertito: e già nello stesso La questione della Leventina felici». giorno 26 inviava una circolare a tutti i Co­ Quello stesso giorno illandamano d'Uri muni del Distretto, perché non si pronun­ 111814 doveva esser per il Canton Ticino un Besler comunicava la decisione al governo ciassero al riguardo, quindi non rispondes­ anno travagliato non soltanto per via della ticinese. La lettera si rifaceva alla storia, ai sero a quelle pericolose sirene. Una settima­ Costituzione; si delineò in quel mezzo, e as­ trattati del 1467 e 1479, ai «tristi avveni­ na dopo, il 3 marzo rispondeva direttamen­ sunse forme e dimensioni preoccupantissi­ menti del 1798 che avevano portato all'in­ te, per protestare contro quello che era rite­ me, anche la questione della Leventina, naturale separazione». Non era peraltro nuto un attentato alla sovranità e integrità: perduta da Uri con l'avvento della Repub­ priva di abilità dialettica. Uri si dichiarava ed era risposta lunga e vibratissima. Il pro­ blica Elvetica, e da Uri reclamata con vari «sinceramente» disposta a rinunciare alla clama degli urani ai leventinesi, «fatto dis­ tentativi, resultati inani, del 1798 e degli an­ sua pretesa, se questo lo avesse richiesto «il seminare a profusione», costituiva «un'isti­ ni seguenti. Due fiduciari urani (o uraniesi, bene della comune patria», e se di conse­ gazione a sedizione», e non era in linea con come allora si scriveva), percorsa la Valle guenza ne fossero stati indeboliti i cari la affermata «lealtà».
    [Show full text]
  • RURBANCE Project Territorial System Factsheet
    RURBANCE Project Territorial System Factsheet Territorial System Identification data Name: Zurich Main urban center: Zurich Country: Switzerland State / Region: Canton of Zurich Map 1: A Zurich – Metropolitan Area Zurich (Zurich and greater surroundings) RURBANCE Project Territorial System Factsheet Pilot Area for Rurbance-Project Line Zurich (A) - Gottardo – Milano (B) (planned «Gottardo»-study) Rural and urban regions on the «Gottardo»-route: City of Zurich, Cantons of Zurich, Zug (City of Zug), Schwyz (only inner part of the Canton, City of Schwyz), Uri (capital Altdorf), Ticino (Cities of Bellinzona, Lugano, Mendrisio/Chiasso) and City of Milano RURBANCE Project Territorial System Factsheet Territorial System Reference data City of Zurich (end 2011) Population City of Zurich 390’000 Area (km2): 92 Density: 4’240 p / km2 Cantons of Zurich, Uri, Schwyz, Zug and Ticino (pilot study-area «Gottardo»; end 2011) Population Area Density Number of km2 p / km2 Municipalities Canton Schwyz SZ 148’000 908 151 30 Canton Ticino TI 337’000 2’812 119 147 Canton Uri UR 35’000 1’077 32 20 Canton Zug ZG 115’000 239 481 11 Canton Zurich ZH 1’392’000 1’729 805 171 Pilot study-area «Gottardo» Population pilot area 2’027’000 6’764 296 379 % of Switzerland 25.5% 16.38 % Switzerland 7’953’000 41’285 193 *2‘408 * 1.1.2013 Spoken languages ZH, UR, SZ, ZG German TI Italian RURBANCE Project Territorial System Factsheet Land use (% in the TS, as for the CORINE Land Cover level 2 data 2006, in km2) SZ TI UR ZG ZH pilot area CH Urban fabric (1.1) 41.55 137.70 11.89
    [Show full text]
  • Canton Ticino and the Italian Swiss Immigration to California
    Swiss American Historical Society Review Volume 56 Number 1 Article 7 2020 Canton Ticino And The Italian Swiss Immigration To California Tony Quinn Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review Part of the European History Commons, and the European Languages and Societies Commons Recommended Citation Quinn, Tony (2020) "Canton Ticino And The Italian Swiss Immigration To California," Swiss American Historical Society Review: Vol. 56 : No. 1 , Article 7. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol56/iss1/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Swiss American Historical Society Review by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Quinn: Canton Ticino And The Italian Swiss Immigration To California Canton Ticino and the Italian Swiss Immigration to California by Tony Quinn “The southernmost of Switzerland’s twenty-six cantons, the Ticino, may speak Italian, sing Italian, eat Italian, drink Italian and rival any Italian region in scenic beauty—but it isn’t Italy,” so writes author Paul Hofmann1 describing the one Swiss canton where Italian is the required language and the cultural tie is to Italy to the south, not to the rest of Switzerland to the north. Unlike the German and French speaking parts of Switzerland with an identity distinct from Germany and France, Italian Switzerland, which accounts for only five percent of the country, clings strongly to its Italian heritage. But at the same time, the Ticinese2 are fully Swiss, very proud of being part of Switzerland, and with an air of disapproval of Italy’s ever present government crises and its tie to the European Union and the Euro zone, neither of which Ticino has the slightest interest in joining.
    [Show full text]
  • Folder Tax Rate 2020.Indd
    2020 Tax Rates Switzerland Transforma Tool Transforma AG Olgastrasse 10 8001 Zürich Switzerland www.transforma.ch Phone: +41 43 222 58 48 transformaconsulting solutions for people, companies & entities Individual Income Tax Rates 2020 Schaffhausen Basel-Stadt Basel- Appenzell Ausserrhoden Land Aargau Zürich Jura Solothurn Appenzell Innerrhoden Zug St. Gallen Lucerne Neuchâtel Glarus Nidwalden Bern Obwalden Uri Fribourg Vaud Graubünden Ticino Geneva Valais Individual income tax rates of Taxable 100'000 300'000 1‘000‘000 Lowest Where income CHF communal the capital cities of the can- (capital city) max rate tons for the tax year 2020 for a married tax payer including Schwyz 12.25% 21.42% 26.85% 21.92% Freienbach Zug 7.49% 19.40% 22.38% 22.13% Baar federal, cantonal and commu- Nidwalden 12.31% 22.59% 25.56% 22.92% Hergiswil nal income taxes, excluding Obwalden 14.59% 21.14% 24.12% 24.12% Sarnen church tax. Tax rates may vary Appenzell IR 11.37% 21.13% 24.38% 24.38% Appenzell Uri 15.88% 22.39% 25.35% 25.00% Seedorf in different communities within Grisons 13.12% 25.90% 31.73% 25.49% Rongellen a canton and are subject to Lucerne 13.72% 25.45% 30.58% 25.83% Meggen changes in future tax years. Appenzell AR 15.14% 27.02% 30.74% 27.36% Teufen Aargau 12.38% 25.35% 32.23% 27.57% Geltwil St. Gallen 15.38% 28.74% 33.26% 27.65% Mörschwil Thurgau 13.64% 25.20% 31.12% 28.11% Bottighofen Schaffhausen 13.29% 26.76% 31.11% 28.34% Stetten Solothurn 16.07% 28.96% 33.67% 29.26% Kammersrohr Fribourg 16.73% 30.86% 35.80% 29.32% Greng Zurich 12.72% 26.69% 36.76%
    [Show full text]
  • SARS-Cov-2/COVID-19 Hospitalised Patients in Switzerland: a Prospective Cohort Profile
    medRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.10.20246884; this version posted December 11, 2020. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license . SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 hospitalised patients in Switzerland: a prospective cohort profile Amaury Thiabaud1, Anne Iten2, Carlo Balmelli3, Laurence Senn4, Nicolas Troillet5, Andreas Widmer6, Domenica Flury7, Peter W. Schreiber8, Miriam Vázquez9, Lauro Damonti9, Michael Buettcher10, Danielle Vuichard-Gysin11, Christoph Kuhm11, Alexia Cusini12, Thomas Riedel13, Yvonne Nussbaumer14, Roman Gaudenz15, Ulrich Heininger16, Christoph Berger17, Franziska Zucol18, Sara Bernhard-Stirnemann19, Natascia Corti20, Petra Zimmermann21,22, Anita Uka21,22, Anita Niederer-Loher23, Céline Gardiol24, Maroussia Roelens1, Olivia Keiser1. 1. Institut de Santé Globale, Faculté de Médecine de l’Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland. 2. Service de prévention et contrôle de l'infection, Direction médicale et qualité, HUG, Geneva, Switzerland. 3. Infection Control Programme, EOC Hospitals, Ticino, Switzerland. 4. Service de médecine préventive hospitalière, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland. 5. Service of Infectious Diseases, Central Institute, Valais Hospitals, Sion, Switzerland. 6. Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. 7. Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland. 8. Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland 9. Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital (Inselspital), Bern, Switzerland 10. Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, Children’s Hospital, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Switzerland 11.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ticino River and the Natural the Waters 17 Environments of Its Valley, Carved by the River Wildlife 18 While Going from Lago Maggiore to the Po River
    TICINO PARK A guide to this nature preserve in Lombardy: the river, the wildlife, flora, projects and events, useful addresses and itineraries (& ##%& CONTENTS PREMISE A FUTURE ORIENTED PARK Lengthy articles could be written about the Ticino Valle del Ticino 4 Valley Park in Lombardy, recounting its history, Objective: Sustainability 6 features, all the activities it carries out and the Biosphere One Park, Two Souls 9 projects it is trying to implement amid a thousand The Importance of Planning 10 obstacles. In the following pages, we have tried Waterways for Biodiversity 11 to highlight the main facets of an area rich in Reserve Projects for the Future 12 nature and beautiful landscapes, but also human Natura 2000 Network 13 histories and historical and art testimonies. We would like to take you on a journey in A PARK discovery of the Park. Every section is a stage in FULL OF LIFE 14 our itinerary and our objective is that, by the end, you can share the idea underlying this preserve: A Green Corridor 16 the protection of the Ticino river and the natural The Waters 17 environments of its valley, carved by the river Wildlife 18 while going from Lago Maggiore to the Po River. Park Rangers and Volunteers 20 This are is an immeasurable treasury, also from a The World of Plants 21 social viewpoint, of which we are owners and The Agricultural Landscape 22 Since 2002 the Ticino Valley is included among the global biosphere reserves guardians and that, all together, we are called to love and protect. network, that Unesco recognized under the MAB Programme (Man and A PARK FOR EVERYONE 24 Biosphere).
    [Show full text]
  • Inglese English
    Inglese Repubblica e Cantone Ticino English Dipartimento delle istituzioni Useful Information A Accidents Crèches and nursery schools Drinking water www.suva.ch 091 814 86 91 www.ti.ch/uas www.ti.ch/ispettorato-lavoro [email protected] www.ch.ch www.ti.ch/strade-sicure www.ti.ch/ufag Drugs and addiction For emergencies dial 144 Crime Radix, Via Trevano 6, 6904 Lugano Accommodation (see also Find housing) www.polizia.ti.ch 091 922 66 19 Swiss Tenants’ Association www.ejpd.admin.ch [email protected] Via Stazio 2, 6900 Lugano-Massagno Cultural events www.radixsvizzeraitaliana.ch 091 967 51 44 www.ticino.ch Ingrado, Servizi per le dipendenze www.asi-infoalloggio.ch Via Trevano 6, 6904 Lugano www.bwo.admin.ch Culture 091 922 60 06 www.catef.ch www.ti.ch/decs [email protected] Ambulances www.ingrado.ch Ticino Soccorso 144 D www.fctsa.ch Darwin Airline E For emergencies dial 144 www.darwinairline.com Economy Animals Daytime childcare families www.seco.admin.ch www.spab.ch Sopraceneri: Via G. Cattori 11, 6600 Locarno www.ch.ch Arms 091 760 06 20 Education and career guidance www.armi.fedpol.admin.ch Luganese: Vicolo Antico 2, 6943 Vezia 091 814 63 51 Asylum in Switzerland 091 968 15 70 www.orientamento.ch www.bfm.admin.ch Mendrisiotto: 6833 Vacallo 091 682 14 19 Elderly citizens AVS www.famigliediurne.ch ATTE, Cantonal Office Via Ghiringhelli 15a, 6500 Bellinzona Via Olgiati 38b, 6512 Giubiasco 091 821 91 11 Death 091 850 05 50 [email protected] www.eoc.ch [email protected] www.avs-ai.info www.hospice.ch www.atte.ch www.iasticino.ch www.asiiof.ch
    [Show full text]
  • Culture & Events
    EN Culture & Events. ticino.ch Taste the dolce vita. 88 proposals catering to all your senses. Castelgrande, Ballinzona and Upper Ticino NIO M O UN M D RI T IA A L • P • W L O A I R D L D N H O E M R I E T IN AG O E • PATRIM United Nations Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts Educational, Scientific and of the Market-Town of Bellinzona Cultural Organization inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000 Come and visit us. Germany from From Bellinzona Bellinzona Schaffhausen Basel Basel 230 km Basel 2 h 45 min St. Gallen Bern 246 km Bern 2 h 50 min Zurich Geneva 405 km Geneva 4 h 35 min France Locarno 20 km Locarno 25 min Lucerne Austria Lugano 29 km Lugano 25 min Malpensa 100 km Malpensa 2 h 40 min Bern Flüelen Chur Milan 105 km Milan 1 h 45 min Davos Bergamo 146 km Stuttgart 4 h 55 min Fribourg Zurich 187 km Zurich 1 h 40 min Lausanne Interlaken St. Moritz Brig Bellinzona Locarno The airport of Lugano-Agno, which is only a few kilometers Ascona Geneva from the centre of Lugano, can be reached from Zurich, Zermatt Lugano and Geneva. These cities are in connection with several destinations in Europe and all over the world. Additionally, Mendrisio Como there are the airports Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa and Italy Milan Orio al Serio Milan Orio al Serio which are all within one hour's reach Milan of Ticino. Both of them also offer multiple international connections.The airport of Lugano-Agno itself offers a fast and effi cient service, thanks to being able to check in up to 20 minutes before departure.
    [Show full text]
  • Relocation Brochure from Gruppomulti
    Relocation to Switzerland Living in Canton Ticino Swiss The Canton The relocation University p.stability 4 p.Ticino 14 p.process 18 p.education 26 An unicum in political, The Mediterranean Moving to USI and SUPSI: monetary and economic in Switzerland: lakes, Switzerland the university stability. mountains, cities. in six steps. centers. Switzerland as a model, the Canton Ticino as a destination! “Why Switzerland” is the title of a book issued in to the peripheral areas, never abandoned but sup- 1976 in which the author, Jonathan Steinberg, pro- ported when in need. fessor at Cambridge, asked himself if Switzerland Health safety, with a hospital planning sup- still had sense to exist in a world that was starting ported by the public-private cooperation that not the first phase of globalization. After about 50 ye- even the COVID19 has questioned. The prepara- ars, we can state with great proud that Switzerland tion of our hospitals in facing such an unknown has won the challenge of modernization and de- situation has been an example and most impor- serves the title of “virtuous country” that it is often tantly it has reassured all Swiss citizens. An excel- assigned. A country that has been able to interpret lent health care that has been carried as an exam- at best its neutrality, a generous nation, open to the ple at international level and that is the result of rest of the world and to changes. careful health policies. A political stability deriving from a concept of When needed, a timely, prompt and massive direct democracy and respect of the minorities re- financial support has been provided to economy sulting in efficient government and closeness to ci- in order to safeguard SMEs and employment.
    [Show full text]
  • Valais-Vaud, Switzerland): a Summary of Twenty Years of Research
    Preistoria Alpina, 42 (2007): 99-108 ISSN 09-0157 © Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali, Trento 2007 Prehistoric settlement in middle and high altitudes in the Upper Rhone Valley (Valais-Vaud, Switzerland): A summary of twenty years of research Philippe CURDY Musée cantonal d’Archéologie, Rue des Châteaux 12, 1950 Sion, Switzerland E-mail: [email protected] SUMMARY - Prehistoric settlement in middle and high altitudes in the Upper Rhone Valley (Valais-Vaud, Switzer- land): A summary of twenty years of research - This paper presents the different stages of research that lead to the understanding of prehistoric settlement in the Upper Rhone Valley, from the Early Mesolithic to historical times. It summarizes twenty years of research in the regions of Valais and Chablais (Switzerland): 1985-1987: theoretical model and early fieldwork; 1992-1997: further excavations on reference sites; 1998-2005: new field surveys and new data. First, we present the details of the fieldwork carried out and, in particular, the problems encountered in middle and high altitudes (survey techniques, reliability of the data). After 20 years, a more refined model has been developed with the only weak point being the lack of understanding of settlements in the middle altitudes. After the end of the last Ice Age, Epipalaeolithic and Mesolithic hunters colonised the Rhone Valley by two different routes: over the high mountain passes in eastern Valais (connecting northern Italy) and by the Lower Rhone Valley in the west (connecting Lake Geneva). Early Neolithic culture spread to Valais over mountain passes linking the Alps with the Po Valley, pos- sibly by grazing small herds in high pastures in summer.
    [Show full text]