Urban Change Over Time

The long-term Photographic Observation Schlieren is a much-recognized unique research project that documents urban development in Switzerland. Over a period of fifteen years, a photographic record of building activity and urbanization processes was conducted to demonstrate how these are altering the character of a typical Swiss suburban community. The chosen example was the town of Schlieren, bordering the city of Zurich to the west, whose population grew from 13,000 to 20,000 residents during the observation period of 2005-20. At Sixty-nine locations throughout Schlieren, pictures were taken under identical conditions every two years that show the changes in the spatial interplay of buildings, streets, and green spaces. Simultaneously, series of topical detailed photographs were produced that focus on individual objects and tell of the appropriation, design, and aesthetics of habitats, such as store fronts, building entrances, playgrounds, parking entrances, etc. This twovolume book brings together the results of this spectacular research. The Archive volume features the entire body of the eight images taken at each of the sixty-nine sites to visualize the deep changes Schlieren has undergone during these fifteen years. The Essays volume combines the topical image series with essays that offer in-depth examination of the studys subject, detailed analyses and interpretations, and interviews by expert authors from various disciplines. Winner of the DAM Architectural Book Award 2023.

Meret Wandeler is a Zurichbased photographer and artist who has conducted several artistic research projects on spatial development in Switzerland. Ulrich Görlich is an artist and former head of the Master of Fine Arts program at Zurich University of the Art ZHdK. Caspar Schärer is a Zurichbased architect and writer who also serves as secretary general of the Federation of Swiss Architects (BSA).