Brienz study to shape village’s future after rockslide threat
Thursday 20th August 2026 on 22:30 in
Switzerland
A study will examine how the future of Brienz, a mountain village in Graubünden, should be designed after years of rockslide danger, SRF reported. The authorities would largely finance residents’ relocation on the condition that those who leave demolish their houses.
The municipality has received 42 relocation applications. Two buildings have already been so badly damaged by the movement of the slope that they are due to be demolished soon, while plans for a further 13 buildings have been signed, the authorities told residents at an information meeting in Tiefencastel.
The meeting was the 27th and probably final one for the people of Brienz under outgoing municipal president Daniel Albertin. Albertin remained in office for two years longer than planned because of the difficulties surrounding the village. The lawyer Manuela Gebert from Bern will take over in 2027.
As his final official act, Albertin will commission the study in cooperation with ETH. It will focus on the future design of the village. Albertin had previously said the municipality wanted to preserve a liveable village for everyone who chose to remain. Residents have been invited to help shape the future village, and some said they wanted to form an association for this purpose.
Residents already presented initial ideas at the meeting. One person with a second home wished for a restaurant, while another asked what would happen to the village fountains. The authorities assured them that the fountains would remain.
The municipality has approved a relocation credit of 82.5 million francs. Most of the money will be provided by the canton and the federal government. The cantonal government must still approve the project. If it does, residents who wish to move will have five years to do so, although each individual relocation must receive separate cantonal approval. Once approval is granted, the affected houses will be demolished, the land will pass to the municipality and the residents will receive the money.
Conditions in the village have stabilised significantly in recent months following the construction of a drainage tunnel and drainage drilling. People have been living in Brienz again for almost six months after previously having to leave several times for periods of several months.
The relocation costs could therefore be lower than expected if some residents decide to stay. However, future evacuations cannot be completely ruled out.