Report on “Building the future behind the tracks. The role of vacant lots around train stations for urban development”

Rethinking the Güterbahnhof Area in St. Gallen

In the Fall semester of 2024, the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich, in collaboration with the University of St. Gallen (HSG), conducted an interdisciplinary course focused on urban transformation of underused sites, centering on the former freight station (Güterbahnhof) area behind St. Gallen’s main train station. Responding to contemporary urban challenges in Switzerland — from densification and sustainability to climate change and shifting work environments — the course explored vacant urban spaces as opportunities for more inclusive and context-sensitive urban design. Through field research, direct observation, and interviews, students analyzed the site from social, economic, and spatial perspectives.

Organized into mixed teams, architecture and business students combined their expertise to develop future development scenarios. They produced analytical drawings, narrative maps, and actor-network diagrams inspired by Actor-Network Theory, employing hand-drawn visuals as a communication tool to make visible the site’s social and spatial dynamics. The course provided a unique opportunity to experiment with cross-disciplinary collaboration, promoting design approaches grounded in local realities and responsive to ongoing urban transformations.

Station of Encounter, Jan Aebi, Felix Fässler, Simon Fürst, Flavia Hug HS2024

We invite you to explore the Final report, which showcases the insightful analyses, drawings, and forward-thinking proposals developed by the students. This body of work not only reflects their deep engagement with the Güterbahnhof site but also contributes to ongoing conversations about sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Jun. 11, 2025