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This proposal was selected because:

 

Dear Sir,

Thank you very much for your interest in this initiative, which aims to gather ideas from citizens. As we understand it, your request has two aspects: the preservation of specific views and their accessibility to people with limited mobility.

The issue of visual corridors is one of the elements highlighted in the Municipal Master Plan, in relation to the built environment, nature, and the landscape. The measures recommended in Chapter C, “Nature, Landscape, and Agriculture,” clearly state these objectives (p. 118):

M.3. Recognize the topography and the views of the lake and mountains as the foundation of Lausanne’s identity.

M.4. Highlight internal views of the city and vistas of the surrounding landscape.

You can also find this information at the following link: https://www.lausanne.ch/officiel/grands-projets/lausanne-2030/plan-directeur-pdcom.html#3-la-nature-les-paysages-et-l-rsquo-agriculture-10.

You are no doubt aware of the City’s goal regarding tree planting. They aim to increase the canopy cover by 50% to make the city more resilient to climate change. This goal necessarily involves planting new trees and allowing existing trees to grow, which presents a potential conflict with the preservation of views and vistas. While the goal of enhancing visual vistas has been affirmed, the inventory of these viewpoints has not yet been finalized. This work is important because it will allow us to prioritize the issues. Lausanne is home to 1,000 locations offering distinctive views. As you can appreciate, not all of these clear views can be preserved, enhanced, or developed. Furthermore, visual vistas often result from perspective effects stemming from a specific vantage point—effects that depend on simply stepping aside to reveal a striking element of the landscape. As we work to implement these objectives related to tree planting and the enhancement of viewpoints, we will take your comments into account, along with numerous other identified locations, to coordinate and prioritize issues that are sometimes conflicting. We will also consider the perspective of a person with limited mobility so as not to lose sight of this important factor.

Eager to implement your proposals while ensuring a fair balance among these important issues, we extend our best regards to you, Sir.

Tree pruning at certain vantage points in Lausanne, for the benefit of our seniors who have difficulty walking

Avatar: Jhean Rictus Jhean Rictus

Selected

1. Context:

In recent years, I’ve noticed, during my travels, that the viewpoints easily accessible to our seniors or people with disabilities have become increasingly obstructed by the growing canopy of trees, and in some places will be even more obstructed by newly planted trees.

2. Proposal:

Let’s be clear: I’m not asking for the trees to be cut down, but simply for them to be pruned regularly so that people with disabilities and seniors can enjoy the view—and, by extension, find a sense of renewal—just as they used to in the past.

This applies to the following geographic areas:

1) Sauvabelin Lookout: View of the lake and the Jura Mountains

2) Chalet Suisse: Since this location offers level access from the bus stop and the option to order a drink, it’s important for families and their elderly members; however, it lacks a view of the Jura Mountains.

3) Chemin des Grandes Roches, across from the Olympic Stadium entrance: the small lookout point offers only a very limited view of the lake and none of western Lausanne, whereas before you could even see St. Sulpice or the University in Ecublens. A lookout point with a bench for La Pontaise.

4) Valency Park: in front of the little horse, there’s hardly any view left.... The playground, “Signal de Valency” as it was called in my youth—no more views, neither toward the lake nor toward the Jura.

5) Coteaux Fleuris Middle School, in front of the Panorama: The view is obstructed, and to make matters worse, young trees were recently planted there.

3. Motivation:

Since I love my city, I won’t list all the sites here, just the ones I frequent. Plus, the icing on the cake: when I asked someone from the Parks and Recreation Department who happened to be at one of these locations, I was told, “You just have to climb the Sauvabelin Tower.” Thanks for the answer—especially for someone like me who sometimes has to take Tramal just to be able to walk.

I hope that, through these few lines, I can help other people with mobility impairments enjoy our scenery and find renewal without having to take a train kilometers away from Lausanne.

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