Municipalities (German: Gemeinden, Einwohnergemeinden or politische Gemeinden; French: communes; Italian: comuni; Romansh: vischnancas) are the lowest level of administrative division in Switzerland. Each municipality is part of one of the Swiss cantons, which form the Swiss Confederation. In most cantons, municipalities are also part of districts or other sub-cantonal administrative divisions.
There are 2,136 municipalities as of February 2023[update].[1] Their populations range between several hundred thousand (Zürich), and a few dozen people (Kammersrohr, Bister), and their territory between 0.32 km² (Rivaz) and 439 km² (Scuol).
The beginnings of the modern municipality system date back to the Helvetic Republic. Under the Old Swiss Confederacy, citizenship was granted by each town and village to only residents. These citizens enjoyed access to community property and in some cases additional protection under the law. Additionally, the urban towns and the rural villages had differing rights and laws. The creation of a uniform Swiss citizenship, which applied equally for citizens of the old towns and their tenants and servants, led to conflict. The wealthier villagers and urban citizens held rights to forests, common land and other municipal property which they did not want to share with the "new citizens", who were generally poor. The compromise solution, which was written into the municipal laws of the Helvetic Republic, is still valid today. Two politically separate but often geographically similar organizations were created. The first, the so-called municipality, was a political community formed by election and its voting body consists of all resident citizens. However, the community land and property remained with the former local citizens who were gathered together into the Bürgergemeinde/bourgeoisie. During the Mediation era (1803–1814), and especially during the Restoration era (1814–1830), many of the gains toward uniform citizenship were lost. Many political municipalities were abolished and limits were placed on the exercise of political rights for everyone except the members of the Bürgergemeinde. In the Regeneration era (1830–1848), the liberal revolutions of the common people helped to restore some rights again in a few cantons. In other cantons, the Bürgergemeinden were able to maintain power as political communities. In the city of Zurich it was not until the Municipal Act of 1866 that the political municipality came back into existence.[2]
The relationship between the political municipality and the Bürgergemeinde was often dominated by the latter's ownership of community property. Often the administration and profit from the property were totally held by the Bürgergemeinden, leaving the political municipality dependent on the Bürgergemeinde for money and use of the property. It was not until the political municipality acquired rights over property that served the public (such as schools, fire stations, etc.) and taxes, that they obtained full independence. For example, in the city of Bern, it was not until after the property division of 1852 that the political municipality had the right to levy taxes.[2]
It was not until the Federal Constitution of 1874 that all Swiss citizens were granted equal political rights on local and Federal levels. This revised constitution finally removed all the political voting and electoral body rights from the Bürgergemeinde. In the cities, the percentage of members in the Bürgergemeinde in the population was reduced as a result of increasing emigration to the cities. This led to the Bürgergemeinde losing its former importance to a large extent. However, the Bürgergemeinde has remained, and it includes all individuals who are citizens of the Bürgergemeinde, usually by having inherited the Bürgerrecht (citizenship), regardless of where they were born or where they may currently live. Instead of the place of birth, Swiss legal documents, e.g. passports, contain the Bürgerort (place of citizenship, or place of origin). The Bürgergemeinde also often holds and administers the common property in the village for the members of the community.[2]
Structure and responsibilities
Each canton determines the powers and responsibilities of its municipalities. These may include providing local government services such as education, medical and social services, public transportation, and tax collection. The degree of centralization varies from one canton to another. The federal constitution protects the autonomy of municipalities within the framework set out by cantonal law.
Municipalities are generally governed by an executive council headed by a president or mayor. Legislative authority is exercised by a town meeting of all citizens, or by a municipal parliament, depending on the size of the municipality, and on cantonal and municipal law. In some cantons, foreigners who have lived for a certain time in Switzerland are also allowed to participate in municipal politics. As at the cantonal and federal level, citizens enjoy political rights, including direct democratic ones, in their municipality.
Municipalities are financed through direct taxes (such as income tax), with rates varying more or less within a framework set by the canton (see Taxation in Switzerland). As among the cantons, there is a tax transfer among the municipalities to balance various levels of tax income.
Size and designations
Switzerland has a relatively high number of small municipalities, with a population of 1,000 or less, especially in rural areas. Because of the increasing difficulty in providing professional government services and in finding volunteers for political offices in small municipalities, the cantons tend to encourage voluntary mergers of municipalities. This led to the number of municipalities dropping by 384 between the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2019.[1]
Some municipalities designate themselves as "city" (ville or Stadt) or as "village" (Dorf). These designations result from tradition or local preference – for example, several small municipalities designated as cities held city rights in medieval times – and normally do not impact the legal or political rights or obligations of the municipalities under cantonal or federal law.
Between 2011 and 2021 nine of the smallest municipalities merged into others as part of the effort to eliminate the smallest communities. Only Bister has not merged into a new municipality although the smallest municipality is now Kammersrohr with a population of just 32.
In addition to the municipalities as basic territorial political subdivisions, a number of other local subdivisions exist in several cantons. These include:
Bürgergemeinde (also: Burgergemeinde, Ortsgemeinde, Ortsbürgergemeinde, Tagwen, bourgeoisie, commune bourgeoise, vischnanca burgaisa), a statutory corporation that includes everyone who is a citizen of a commune and has the Heimatrecht (home right) in that commune regardless of where they may currently live. Until the 19th Century this Heimatrecht included rights to use the commons, which were administered by the Bürgergemeinde. Modernly, some Bürgergemeinden may still control common property, but the Heimatrecht and associated Heimatort is used just as place of birth in other countries.
Gemischte Gemeinde (mixed communes), found in the Canton of Jura and portions of the Canton of Bern, a combination of a Bürgergemeinde and a political commune.
Korporationsgemeinde, a legally recognized cooperative in Central Switzerland that controls some land and is responsible for its members support.
Kirchgemeinde, a parish for members of a large church (generally Roman Catholic or Swiss Reformed. There may be two or more Kirchgemeinden in a single municipality.
Degagna, in the Leventina valley in the Canton of Ticino. It manages shared pastures, fields and woods as well as maintaining roads that cross the common land.[7]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Municipalities in Switzerland.
Official list of municipalities of Switzerland (in Italian)
Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz/Liste officielle des communes de la Suisse/Elenco ufficiale dei Comuni della Svizzera, 2006. Neuchâtel, 2006. ISBN3-303-00334-3.
Official list municipalities of Switzerland (in Italian)
April 04, 2023
municipalities, switzerland, municipalities, german, gemeinden, einwohnergemeinden, politische, gemeinden, french, communes, italian, comuni, romansh, vischnancas, lowest, level, administrative, division, switzerland, each, municipality, part, swiss, cantons, . Municipalities German Gemeinden Einwohnergemeinden or politische Gemeinden French communes Italian comuni Romansh vischnancas are the lowest level of administrative division in Switzerland Each municipality is part of one of the Swiss cantons which form the Swiss Confederation In most cantons municipalities are also part of districts or other sub cantonal administrative divisions Municipalities of SwitzerlandAlso known as Gemeinde German Commune French Comuni Italian Vischnancas Romansh Map of Switzerland showing cantonal districts and municipal boundaries April 2021 CategoryMunicipalityLocationSwitzerlandFound inCanton or DistrictNumber2 136 as of 2023 Populations32 376 990Areas0 32 439 km For other uses see Commune disambiguation There are 2 136 municipalities as of February 2023 update 1 Their populations range between several hundred thousand Zurich and a few dozen people Kammersrohr Bister and their territory between 0 32 km Rivaz and 439 km Scuol Contents 1 History 2 Structure and responsibilities 3 Size and designations 3 1 List of municipalities by population 2011 21 4 Lists of municipalities by canton 5 Other local subdivisions and entities 6 See also 7 Notes and references 8 External linksHistory EditThe beginnings of the modern municipality system date back to the Helvetic Republic Under the Old Swiss Confederacy citizenship was granted by each town and village to only residents These citizens enjoyed access to community property and in some cases additional protection under the law Additionally the urban towns and the rural villages had differing rights and laws The creation of a uniform Swiss citizenship which applied equally for citizens of the old towns and their tenants and servants led to conflict The wealthier villagers and urban citizens held rights to forests common land and other municipal property which they did not want to share with the new citizens who were generally poor The compromise solution which was written into the municipal laws of the Helvetic Republic is still valid today Two politically separate but often geographically similar organizations were created The first the so called municipality was a political community formed by election and its voting body consists of all resident citizens However the community land and property remained with the former local citizens who were gathered together into the Burgergemeinde bourgeoisie During the Mediation era 1803 1814 and especially during the Restoration era 1814 1830 many of the gains toward uniform citizenship were lost Many political municipalities were abolished and limits were placed on the exercise of political rights for everyone except the members of the Burgergemeinde In the Regeneration era 1830 1848 the liberal revolutions of the common people helped to restore some rights again in a few cantons In other cantons the Burgergemeinden were able to maintain power as political communities In the city of Zurich it was not until the Municipal Act of 1866 that the political municipality came back into existence 2 The relationship between the political municipality and the Burgergemeinde was often dominated by the latter s ownership of community property Often the administration and profit from the property were totally held by the Burgergemeinden leaving the political municipality dependent on the Burgergemeinde for money and use of the property It was not until the political municipality acquired rights over property that served the public such as schools fire stations etc and taxes that they obtained full independence For example in the city of Bern it was not until after the property division of 1852 that the political municipality had the right to levy taxes 2 It was not until the Federal Constitution of 1874 that all Swiss citizens were granted equal political rights on local and Federal levels This revised constitution finally removed all the political voting and electoral body rights from the Burgergemeinde In the cities the percentage of members in the Burgergemeinde in the population was reduced as a result of increasing emigration to the cities This led to the Burgergemeinde losing its former importance to a large extent However the Burgergemeinde has remained and it includes all individuals who are citizens of the Burgergemeinde usually by having inherited the Burgerrecht citizenship regardless of where they were born or where they may currently live Instead of the place of birth Swiss legal documents e g passports contain the Burgerort place of citizenship or place of origin The Burgergemeinde also often holds and administers the common property in the village for the members of the community 2 Structure and responsibilities EditEach canton determines the powers and responsibilities of its municipalities These may include providing local government services such as education medical and social services public transportation and tax collection The degree of centralization varies from one canton to another The federal constitution protects the autonomy of municipalities within the framework set out by cantonal law Municipalities are generally governed by an executive council headed by a president or mayor Legislative authority is exercised by a town meeting of all citizens or by a municipal parliament depending on the size of the municipality and on cantonal and municipal law In some cantons foreigners who have lived for a certain time in Switzerland are also allowed to participate in municipal politics As at the cantonal and federal level citizens enjoy political rights including direct democratic ones in their municipality Municipalities are financed through direct taxes such as income tax with rates varying more or less within a framework set by the canton see Taxation in Switzerland As among the cantons there is a tax transfer among the municipalities to balance various levels of tax income Size and designations EditSwitzerland has a relatively high number of small municipalities with a population of 1 000 or less especially in rural areas Because of the increasing difficulty in providing professional government services and in finding volunteers for political offices in small municipalities the cantons tend to encourage voluntary mergers of municipalities This led to the number of municipalities dropping by 384 between the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2019 1 Some municipalities designate themselves as city ville or Stadt or as village Dorf These designations result from tradition or local preference for example several small municipalities designated as cities held city rights in medieval times and normally do not impact the legal or political rights or obligations of the municipalities under cantonal or federal law Municipalities are numbered by the Swiss Federal Office for Statistics see Community Identification Number Switzerland One or more postal codes PLZ NPA can by assigned to a municipality or shared with other municipalities Population No of municipalities in 2004 3 gt 20 000 30 1 1 10 000 19 999 89 3 2 5000 9999 180 6 6 1000 4999 1025 37 4 500 999 555 20 3 lt 500 861 31 4 Total 2740 100 List of municipalities by population 2011 21 Edit Between 2011 and 2021 nine of the smallest municipalities merged into others as part of the effort to eliminate the smallest communities Only Bister has not merged into a new municipality although the smallest municipality is now Kammersrohr with a population of just 32 Largest municipalities 2011 4 Rank City Canton Pop 1 Zurich Zurich 376 9902 Geneva Geneva 188 2343 Basel Basel Stadt 164 5164 Lausanne Vaud 129 3835 Bern Bern 125 6816 Winterthur Zurich 103 0757 Lucerne Lucerne 78 0938 St Gallen St Gallen 73 5059 Lugano Ticino 55 15110 Biel Bienne Bern 51 635 Smallest municipalities 2011 4 Rank City Canton Pop 1 Corippo Ticino 122 Martisberg Valais 193 Mulegns Graubunden 294 St Martin Graubunden 315 Bister Valais 336 Pigniu Graubunden 337 Selma Graubunden 338 Gresso Ticino 349 Cauco Graubunden 3510 Monible Bern 37 Largest municipalities 2021 5 Rank City Canton Pop 1 Zurich Zurich 420 2172 Geneva Geneva 203 9513 Basel Basel Stadt 173 2324 Lausanne Vaud 139 4085 Bern Bern 134 5916 Winterthur Zurich 113 1737 Lucerne Lucerne 82 2578 St Gallen St Gallen 76 0909 Lugano Ticino 62 61510 Biel Bienne Bern 55 602 Smallest municipalities 2021 5 Rank City Canton Pop 1 Kammersrohr Solothurn 322 Bister Valais 333 Schelten Bern 354 Berken Bern 415 Rebevelier Bern 426 Cerentino Ticino 457 Linescio Ticino 478 Clavaleyres Bern 489 Bosco Gurin Ticino 4910 Meienried Bern 50Lists of municipalities by canton EditSee also List of cities in Switzerland Aargau Einwohnergemeinden Appenzell I R Bezirke Appenzell A R Einwohnergemeinden Basel City Einwohnergemeinden Basel Country Einwohnergemeinden Bern Einwohnergemeinden or communes municipales Fribourg communes or Gemeinden Geneva communes Glarus Ortsgemeinden Grisons politische Gemeinden Vischnancas politicas or comuni politici Jura communes Lucerne Einwohnergemeinden Neuchatel communes Nidwalden Gemeinden Obwalden Einwohnergemeinden Schaffhausen Einwohnergemeinden Schwyz Gemeinden Solothurn Einwohnergemeinden St Gallen Politische Gemeinden Thurgau politische Gemeinden Ticino comuni politici Uri Einwohnergemeinde Valais communes municipales or Einwohnergemeinden Vaud communes Zug Einwohnergemeinde Zurich Politische GemeindenOther local subdivisions and entities EditIn addition to the municipalities as basic territorial political subdivisions a number of other local subdivisions exist in several cantons These include Burgergemeinde also Burgergemeinde Ortsgemeinde Ortsburgergemeinde Tagwen bourgeoisie commune bourgeoise vischnanca burgaisa a statutory corporation that includes everyone who is a citizen of a commune and has the Heimatrecht home right in that commune regardless of where they may currently live Until the 19th Century this Heimatrecht included rights to use the commons which were administered by the Burgergemeinde Modernly some Burgergemeinden may still control common property but the Heimatrecht and associated Heimatort is used just as place of birth in other countries Gemischte Gemeinde mixed communes found in the Canton of Jura and portions of the Canton of Bern a combination of a Burgergemeinde and a political commune Korporationsgemeinde a legally recognized cooperative in Central Switzerland that controls some land and is responsible for its members support Kirchgemeinde a parish for members of a large church generally Roman Catholic or Swiss Reformed There may be two or more Kirchgemeinden in a single municipality Schulgemeinde similar to a school district Bauert in the Berner Oberland or Graubunden a small farming community It is a type of agricultural cooperative with shared equipment and land 6 Degagna in the Leventina valley in the Canton of Ticino It manages shared pastures fields and woods as well as maintaining roads that cross the common land 7 See also Edit Switzerland portalList of municipalities of Switzerland List of twin towns and sister cities in Switzerland Former municipalities of Switzerland Cantons of SwitzerlandNotes and references Edit a b Institutionelle Gliederungen Bundesamt fur Statistik Retrieved 12 June 2019 a b c Burgergemeinde in German French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland Official list of Swiss municipalities p 17 a b Population residante permanente selon l age par canton district et commune Office federal de la statistique Retrieved 13 August 2013 a b Swiss Federal Statistical Office Regional portraits accessed 12 January 2022 Bauert in German French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland Degagna in German French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Municipalities in Switzerland Official list of municipalities of Switzerland in Italian Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz Liste officielle des communes de la Suisse Elenco ufficiale dei Comuni della Svizzera 2006 Neuchatel 2006 ISBN 3 303 00334 3 Nachbarschaft in German French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland Official list municipalities of Switzerland in Italian Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Municipalities of Switzerland amp oldid 1137027400, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
