Mixed Feelings About Public Housing Project

La Lignon, a massive 2,780 unit housing project, was built hastily in the 70s in Switzerland to help manage a massive housing crisis. Today, some people call it home and others call it "a monster."

1 minute read

September 30, 2011, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


La Lignon is one of the largest housing projects on Earth, and stretches over 7/10ths of a mile. John Tagliabue reports that public opinion on La Lignon is pertinent today because Switzerland is facing another housing crisis and is in the process of determining what to do about it:

"Le Lignon resembles nothing more than an immense wall, 12 to 14 stories high, snaking across a ridge above the Rhone. On one end stand two high-rise towers with additional apartments. Between the building and the river are a shopping center, Protestant and Catholic churches and a cluster of schools. Four huge underground garages provide parking for tenants."

"Almost from the start, upscale Genevans peered down their noses at the monster of Vernier."

Friday, September 30, 2011 in The New York Times

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