thefirst place. Rt(l)i, Schwand(en), Brand, and Stock all relate to ways of clearing theground. In Ticino names like Ronco and Arzo also refer to ways of clearing the land, bydigging up the wild vegetation or burning the trees. Such intense agricultural labourbelongs to ancient history. Today 60 percent of Swiss work in the service sector and themajority live in towns, but many still feel drawn to nature and are very much aware of thetraditions linking them to the land.Rugged nature for recreationPeople used to leave the mountain regions in search of work and a more comfortable wayof life, but now they are becoming inhabited again. At weekends and during the vacationpeople come from the lowlands for recreation. Old houses are being renovated as secondhomes. There is a lot of building, and a lot is being built over. Not much building land, expensive accommodationIn Switzerland there is a shortage of building land, and residential property is veryexpensive. On average, 20 percent of income is spent on rent. Only one third of thepopulation live in their own house or apartment - a very low proportion in comparison tothe rest of Europe. The 1990 census showed that 64% of households consisted of one ortwo people. It also put the average living space per person at 39 m2 (420 sq.ft.), which isvery high. Orderly buildingBuilding is tightly regulated. There are strict rules for renovations and conversions. Theappearance of towns and villages should be preserved. In villages, it is precisely laiddown where residential properties can be built, where industrial buildings belong andwhere farming may be done. This is regulated by local council planning zones anddevelopment planning legislation. Building qualityBuilding work concentrates on safety and stability. Everything is built to last for as longas possible and great attention is paid to detail.Types of communityMost people live in large towns with sprawling suburbs, in apartment blocks or houses...
