Allgemeine Baugenossenschaft Zürich (ABZ) is Switzerland’s largest cooperative housing organization, founded in Zurich in 1916. Its origins trace back to a period of acute housing shortages, and from its inception, the cooperative focused on affordable, non-speculative housing for families. The first ABZ settlement was built in 1920 in the Zurich-Oerlikon district.
As of 2023, ABZ owns 5,097 apartments across 562 buildings, organized into 58 residential complexes in Zurich and the surrounding region. Around 12,500 people live in ABZ housing, and the cooperative has over 8,900 members. Its operations are supported by about 85 full-time staff, with additional part-time and volunteer involvement. ABZ’s annual rental income stands at roughly 69 million Swiss francs.
ABZ’s structure is fully cooperative. Every member has a vote in the general assembly, which functions as the highest decision-making body. Local settlement commissions and annual resident assemblies ensure residents’ input in both daily living and larger decisions.
Recent projects illustrate ABZ’s ongoing development. The replacement of the Kanzlei district aims to increase apartments from 150 to over 200, with a focus on sustainability and neighborhood quality. Another example is the mixed-use Koch-Areal, combining residential and commercial spaces.
True to its principles, ABZ operates on a cost-rent basis, removing its land from market speculation. It continually adapts its housing designs via architectural competitions and maintains a reputation for transparent and participatory processes.