International cooperation
Exchange among experts
Thematic horizon expansion
About BEC
publication
“Planning guidelines for sustainable residential buildings in the asylum sector”
November 2025
The association HUMA (Sustainable Housing for Refugees in Switzerland) and the Exchange & Cooperation BEC office will present the first edition of the online publication “Planning Guidelines for Sustainable Housing in the Asylum Sector” in autumn 2025.
In this dossier, the authors combine (1) architectural expertise regarding sustainable, affordable housing with (2) current insights into social issues relevant to integration. Pascal Angehrn and Martin Bölsterli of HUMA are primarily responsible for the former, while Gina Balsiger, Lena Hochuli, and Thomas Schmutz of BEC are responsible for the latter.
The planning guidelines concern municipal and cantonal construction projects for the accommodation of refugees with a long-term prospect of staying in Switzerland. In line with the societal goal of "normalizing their living conditions," the aim is to design housing that is also suitable, in principle, for other groups of people with accommodation needs.
The publication is aimed at responsible authorities, members of building commissions, planners, but also at other institutions, specialists and researchers interested in the topic.
Further information
About BEC
The Zurich-based Büro Exchange & Cooperation BEC GmbH supports institutions in the conception and implementation of professional expert exchanges and collaborations outside the usual frameworks. On behalf of institutions, BEC also develops and implements horizon-expanding, thematic engagements outside the usual frameworks for professionals.
BEC's clients in Switzerland are public institutions at national, cantonal and municipal level, as well as organisations that are committed to the societal concerns of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development and value cosmopolitan employees and engaged citizens.
BEC Experts
The core competencies of BEC experts include project consulting, concept development, project management, proactive external process support, research, speaking engagements, and moderation. Due to their academic training and professional experience, the three BEC co-managing directors also possess specific expertise.
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Flexible - Reliable - Transparent
Our working methods
Project-based assignments are typically characterized by highly fluctuating time commitments. Internal task allocation within BEC is carried out in consultation with the commissioning body.
To ensure consistently high quality and to guarantee agreed-upon services and deadlines, BEC always involves more than one specialist per project. The experts involved can cover for each other if necessary.
Clients are kept continuously informed by BEC about the progress of development or implementation tasks. All crucial decisions are made after prior consultation with them.
Our commitments
International cooperation support
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Project partnership Zurich – Tyre (Lebanon)
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Migration Cooperation Programme (CH – EST)
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Theme-oriented special projects
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Themed hikes (in the Zurich/Schleswig-Holstein area)
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Event consulting
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Inspiration Workshop
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Publications / Discussion Papers
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Planning guidelines for residential buildings in the asylum sector
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Civil society and refugee reception in times of crisis (presentations in Zurich and Tallinn)
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