Read an article today that canton Vaud will be the powerhouse of the romandie within the next ten years (with over 900k residents). And lausanne is winning some major points over geneva in several areas (culture, infrastructure, etc...)

For genevans, Lausanne used to be a "village of fishermen" but even that seems to have changed... So can lausanne overtake geneva as the french-speaking capital of switzerland?

Your thoughts...

As soon as













Lausanne-Blécherette gets upgraded to a real regional airport just like Altenrhein-St.Gallen things will look differently.

But in realistic term, Lausanne does not have a too great chance to get up to the level of Geneva. HOWEVER, Lausanne, together with Nyon and possibly Rolles and Morges may profit from Geneva becoming "overfilled" and some strange political developments in Geneva

Lausanne should do quite well as they got room to expand and no border tensions with France. I never considered Geneva to be a powerhouse of the Romandie; just unique with all those international organisations and NGOs. The fight between the two will be which city can pull in more multi-nationals. I think Lausanne has the edge here.

i think lausanne has more going for it at this time, geneva is a huge area for ngos and the like but when it comes to lifestyle, nightlife, activities, lausanne has much more to offer for the size of it. i love geneva, but it is definitely dated- like it has passed its days of glory.

personally, i prefer for geneva to be the hotspot, i love lausanne the way it is- lots to do and good underground stuff happening without too many people and a feeling that you are in switzerland, not some international center- i like that but i know people who would definitely prefer the international thang. there's is just enought people here now to give it a pulse and have some really cool things to do, but you still recognize people at events and enjoy the feeling of a community. i hope it doesnt get too much bigger, but knowing how much i enjoy it here, i'm sure others will too. and the only way this will happen is if they increase housing, which is vital. i know there are a few eco-villages set to happen here in the next few years, in fact our neighborhood is expected to be destroyed at some point to put in greener buildings and eco friendly and affordable living spaces. it is bittersweet and i'm sure we'll be happy with that, but who knows how long it will take them to realize that.

it is, i'm sure, very inviting to many people coming to this area and a good way to get more people to come. as it is the amount of english i've been hearing in the area has increased quite a bit so expats are starting to move to vaud in big numbers, i just hope they dont all move to lausanne, i dont need rent any higher

__________________
'there isn't enough of anything as long as we live.
but at intervals a sweetness appears and, given a chance prevails'

Do they speak French in Lausanne? I can never understand a word they say! Its all "de dieu de dieu" or "ilya pas le feu au lac"

Frankly - it has been since about 10 years, as always news are late...

Lausanne has nothing to envy to Geneva... no border issues, no illegal immigrants; no "France voisine" where people live for tax savings; closer to Valais and to central Switzerland, Bern and Zurich; less international NGOs dividing the workforce - and feeding off taxpayers; slightly less expensive real estate and lifestyle; more universities, schools and students life; and we speak french swiss - not french, thank you very much, avec des panosses, des cattelles, des septantes, huitantes et nonantes.

Unfortunately it is fast getting destroyed by the corporations moving in and bringing in too many expats...

it's actually a Genevan stuff.

Please never mix Genevan and lausannois stuff, we are proud of our particularities.....


lol

Désolé cheri

Lausanne definitely has a lot going for it; I much prefer it over Geneva. But I certainly hope that there will be fewer backlash nativist responses like what we have seen in other parts of Switzerland. It has already become ugly enough in Geneva.

i can say that lausanne is much more accepting of diversity than i have seen in other parts of switzerland- and diversity is definitely a part of life here. all the expats seem to go mainly to pully and lutry or further around- morges, vevey, etc. leaving lausanne with a real swissy feel...and it has nothing to do with geneva- these are two very different cities with two very different cultures, in my opinion.

Yes, but kneejerk responses that immigrants, internationals, expats, French, etc. are the cause of problems is something I do not want see here. I do think Lausanne and Geneva are exceptional in their tolerance and I don't want to see that change.

I think it's terrible that we want to "expand" or grow the population in that small/medium city.

I read on the local newspaper how the politicians are making efforts to expand habitations, etc... to increase the inhabitants and build more houses in the countryside.

What for?
To destroy even more natural landscape? To increase traffic, humans consumptions, wastes, etc...?
Are we doing a favor to human beings by constructing more "blocks" of flats?

Do they want to be like "Delhi", or "Mumbai"?

I think it's very irresponsible and ridiculous to value "population growth" at all costs, and be proud of having a "positive population growth".

Maintainable numbers or minor decrease is much more realistic and would do us all a big favor.

It's not New York here but some politicians think it's cool to be growing like those big cities!

Errr, I think you see the problem with wrong logic. The population in Lausanne and Vaud is growing, and the politicians try to cope with that, for instance by supporting growing infrastructures, new areas for living, etc. The politicians in Lausanne area are not so much pulling people in, as they are trying to accodomate those who are coming. For the policitian, refusing new construction would be like setting up a new city-wall.

It's hard to find an accomodation in the area of Lausanne and if the politicians would not do anything, it could not get better, it could even be worse.

The politicians in general are afraid that their city "shrinks", rather than being afraid by growth. It's easier to support growth, as the city gets more cash simultaneously with the growth. But supporting shrinkness is harder, because cash goes away for the city, so it's a vicious spiral.

And then, the "good/successful" companies that are currently growing, why would they stay in Lausanne (not to mention relocating in Lausanne) if the forecast is that the city prevents growth? Our world is so that not growing/improving is going down already, and it has always been so.

/Paul

Speaking of New York (state), you should go to a place like Buffalo and see what it's like when you have stagnant or decreasing population. Believe me, it's a nicer place to live when people are moving to a town/city and contributing to its economy.

That's not to say the growth shouldn't be managed.

I do understand your point of view and I agree partially.
But it's not entirely true. It is currently true because politicians keep the same "mind" and spread the same bullshits over and over.

More people does not means more income for the government and lead to more money for your retirement. That is a very big scam supported by scared politicians who are not accepting having less "income" can be acceptable.

Less or "stagnant" population also mean less benefits to give- for a start-
More people with higher income= less money to give them and more "income" for the government as their tax income rate is higher.
Less people means less need of treating wastes, etc... or more manageable= less expenses
Less people= less energical needs (not necessarily)= avoiding trying desperately for solutions like Nuclear. Which might lead to disasters like Japan-
Less people= less fuel need= depleting resources will last longer and therefore the price will not increase. Wait and see a few decades how much the fuel will cost when it will be rare. That money not wasted on fuel could go to public expenses and contribute to the "economic wellbeing" of the city.

Etc, etc....
I can find many real example!


Yes that's a vicious circle like you said but can we use our brain and adapt instead of "doing it" because "it's like this"? I though we were more clever as "human beings".




And yes, "mel07", good exemple to talk about "Cactus City" in arizona, with a decreasing population of 134 inhabitants total 2011. I remind you that their own "geo" environment is different than Lausanne. Also how about we take the example of Mumbai instead?
Yes Mumbai is growing ultra fast and the government have more money.But I let you go there and experience it. Only then we will talk about how much it cost to have so many people, on how is the quality of life for the inhabitants of Mumbai.

Also you could take the example of a small country (Switzerland) and how their economy is high and working fine. Take other countries with more people and poor economy. More people does not mean better economy.

I prefer Lausanne to Geneva any day. More a part of the real world.

However, don't talk too fast about the lack of frontaliers. We've already spotted that commuting across the lake by ferry from France is a good trick. Expect it to increase hugely. Must be one of the world's prettier commutes.

Some background reading - 20% population increase being predicted for Vaud in the next 25 years whilst in some cantons, population will be at a standstill.


http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Home/Arc...l?cid=29883518