Lake-spanning dam construction: Bold venture could almost alleviate Zurich's predicament
In the bustling city of Zurich during the 1960s, a period marked by economic growth and modernisation, a significant proposal emerged that aimed to address the city's traffic demands - the Lake Bridge project.
The project, as proposed, was a response to the demands of the booming economy and adhered to the Independent Party's Cantonal Ring's motto, "Think big! Act bold!". The Cantonal Ring was known for its focus on implementing big road projects, and the Lake Bridge project was no exception.
However, despite extensive research, the city president of Zurich who proposed this visionary project during the 1960s remains unidentified. While political figures from other Swiss cities and even Indonesia were found, no direct reference to the Zurich city president from 1966 or a "Lake Bridge" project associated with him was discovered.
One of the potential architects behind the Lake Bridge project was Hugo Wandeler, who presented his design in 1969. The project, as described by Wandeler, included an autobahn tunnel, apartments, and offices for administration. Unfortunately, the JavaScript requirement for NZZ.ch, where the project details are available, may have prevented some viewers from accessing these details. Adjusting browser settings or disabling ad blockers may help in viewing the project details.
Despite the unidentified city president, the Lake Bridge project remains a reflection of the big ideas thriving in the 1960s, a decade when such visionary proposals were common. The project, as described on NZZ.ch, was a significant proposal from the Independent Party's Cantonal Ring in the 1960s, symbolising the city's ambition to keep pace with the growing demands of the time.
[1] Sutan Sjahrir, the former Prime Minister of Indonesia, died in Zurich in 1966, but he was not a city president of Zurich and unrelated to its politics.
[3] The political history of Geneva was discussed, but it does not mention Zurich or the Lake Bridge project.
[4] The political history of Vienna was also discussed, but it does not mention Zurich or the Lake Bridge project.
The Independent Party's Cantonal Ring, known for its big road projects, proposed the Lake Bridge project in coordination with the city's economic and social policy during the 1960s. The project, if executed, would have encompassed a blend of technology, such as an autobahn tunnel and smart-home-devices like apartments and offices. The proposal reflects the period's ambition to keep pace with the growing demands for gadgets and technological advancements.
