Ten questions to Stephan Rawyler

STEPHAN RAWYLER

Gemeindepräsident von Neuhausen am Rheinfall

What makes the municipality of Neuhausen am Rheinfall unique – apart from the Rhine Falls, which are a real tourist magnet?

Neuhausen am Rheinfall stands out for its location in a delightful area with the Rhine, the Rhine Falls and the Randen mountains. It offers attractive residential opportunities as well as many interesting jobs. The schools in Neuhausen have standard school days and terms, and almost all of the pupils move on to an apprenticeship or a higher level of education. It is easy to reach the Greater Zurich Area quickly by train or car.

To what extent have you been involved with the SIG site as chairman of the municipality?

SIG has led by example in preserving a large number of jobs, even at companies that split off from SIG. The SIG site is therefore not an industrial wasteland, but an area undergoing a gradual transformation. This transformation has kept me busy for over ten years now.

How do you see the SIG site today?

Given its size of about 120,000 sq m, it is a central area for Neuhausen am Rheinfall, and it offers many jobs. Various large and small companies are based there today.

«THE SIG SITE WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF NEUHAUSEN TOWN CENTRE»

What do you think the SIG site will look like in 20 years?

To a major extent, the area will be redeveloped with housing, cultural offers and services in addition to jobs in the industrial sector. The SIG site will be an integral part of Neuhausen town centre – much more so than today.

What are you looking forward to in particular?

I’m looking forward to upgrading the buildings next to Industrieplatz, which are not exactly a joy to behold in their current state.

How is the cooperation between the municipality and the project team?

The cooperation is defined by a sense of trust and a mutual determination to contribute to the transformation of the SIG site.

Can you see any challenges in relation to transforming the SIG site?

Repositioning the SIG site can only be a success if attractive financial offers are created. This represents a certain risk, no least because various new residential opportunities have been planned in the Schaffhausen area. The municipality should pay special attention to how the traffic situation develops. At present, only a few roads lead from the main road network to the SIG site.

How would you say the locals have reacted to the planned site development?

Residents are curious to see how people will effectively tackle the first change visible to outsiders. Many of those from Neuhausen have worked on the SIG site at some point in their professional life, and so they are watching how things unfold very attentively.

How is the municipality of Neuhausen changing?

There is a slight but steady increase in the number of jobs and the total population. People here are observing structural changes sometimes with a critical eye and sometimes with pleasure, but they are always very attentive. It is fair to say that the financial situation of Neuhausen is healthy.

What is your main goal for your term as chairman of the municipality?

Neuhausen am Rheinfall should remain a desirable place to live and a place that people love. If there are instances where this is not yet the case, my colleagues and the entire council are working on ongoing improvements.



STEPHAN RAWYLER

Chairman of the municipality of Neuhausen am Rheinfall
(in office since 1 January 2005)
Responsible for construction, planning, goods and the presidential council, including personnel and IT