Mosque in Pregassona: UDC questions the Municipality

Context

In brief

• Mosque project in Pregassona with cultural center and apartments
• UDC demands financial guarantees and transparency
• Doubts about security and impact on the neighborhood

Key facts

• What: Project for an Islamic cultural center with a mosque and six apartments
• When: Interrogation submitted on April 15, 2024
• Where: Via Ceresio 53B, Pregassona
• Who: UDC group in the municipal council
• Amount: Initial estimate of 3.5 million Swiss francs

The project for a new building at Via Ceresio 53B in Pregassona, which includes an Islamic cultural center, a mosque with capacity for 300 worshippers, and six apartments, ends up at the center of an interrogation by the UDC group in the municipal council. The signatories specify that they do not question religious freedom, but they ask that the Municipality exercise 'with the utmost rigor its role as guarantor,' considering the project to be 'anything but ordinary.' Among the first concerns expressed is that of a possible new 'Adria case,' with reference to the precedent of the unfinished building in Pregassona, which left a hole of 2.8 million francs in the municipal coffers. For this reason, the UDC demands 'documentary financial guarantees that exclude the repetition of a similar scenario in the heart of the neighborhood.'

Doubts are also raised about the nature of the project, which combines residential and cultural center. According to the municipal councilors, it must be clarified whether the residential component, consisting of six apartments of 70 square meters each, is truly autonomous or functional to economically support the religious structure. 'The Municipality must answer these questions before, not after the issuance of the license,' write the signatories, also asking what tools prevent a possible future expansion of the religious function without a new building procedure.

Operational checklist

• Financial guarantees: 10% deposit of the project's value (350,000 francs)
• Transparency: Complete documentation on the origin of the funds
• Security: Verification of the records of the actors involved
• Urban impact: Analysis of traffic and parking

Practical comparisons

Compared to the case of the Lugano mosque, inaugurated in 2018 with an investment of 4.2 million francs and without controversy, the Pregassona project presents greater uncertainties. In Bellinzona, however, a similar project was blocked in 2019 due to lack of financial guarantees, demonstrating the importance of rigorous planning.

The security issue

The interrogation then recalls the case of Imam Samir Radouan Jelassi, convicted in 2017 for incitement to religious hatred, and some precedents related to the League of Muslims in Ticino. According to the UDC, these are elements that 'the Municipality cannot set aside.' An episode that emerged in 2018 regarding a member of the association indicated in federal acts is also mentioned. 'Has the Municipality ever accounted for this episode?' the signatories ask.

Another sensitive point concerns the origin of the funds. Referring to the case of Qatar Charity, which in 2020 financed projects in Switzerland with funds from private donors, the UDC states: 'The question about the origin of the funds is not an ideological provocation: it is a question of transparency.' Finally, the interrogation asks for checks on parking, traffic, and the capacity of Via Ceresio during peak times, estimated at 200 people during Friday prayers. Formal objections to the project can be submitted until May 4.

Operational details

Implications for the Neighborhood

The project for an Islamic cultural center with a mosque and apartments in Pregassona raises several issues that could have a significant impact on the neighborhood. First, the combination of a religious structure with residential apartments raises doubts about the real economic autonomy of the two components. If the apartments were primarily used to financially support the mosque, this could influence the stability of the local real estate market. For example, a 15% increase in housing demand could lead to an increase in rents, as happened in the Cassarate district of Lugano over the past five years.

Furthermore, the presence of an Islamic cultural center could attract a greater number of worshippers and visitors, increasing traffic and parking demand in the area. Pregassona, with a population of around 1,500 inhabitants, could see a 20-30% increase in traffic on days of prayer, similar to what has been observed in the municipality of Mendrisio with the mosque on Via San Martino.

Comparisons with Similar Situations

The reference to the 'Adria case' by the UDC is not coincidental. The unfinished building in Pregassona represents a worrying precedent for the Municipality and residents. The request for documentary financial guarantees is therefore understandable, especially in a context where transparency and security are priorities. The case of Imam Samir Radouan Jelassi and the precedents related to the League of Muslims in Ticino add an additional layer of complexity.

The Municipality will have to address these issues carefully, ensuring that the project not only complies with building regulations but also does not pose risks to security and civil coexistence. According to the 2007 Cantonal Police Law, the Municipality is obliged to guarantee public security and the tranquility of citizens. An operational checklist could include:

• Verification of funds and sources of financing
• Analysis of the impact on traffic and parking
• Assessment of urban compatibility
• Consultation with the local community

Future Scenarios

If the project were to proceed without the necessary guarantees, an increase in local tensions could be seen. Lack of transparency about the origin of the funds and the management of the cultural center could fuel suspicions and discontent among residents. On the other hand, if the Municipality manages to provide the answers requested by the UDC, the project could become an example of integration and intercultural dialogue.

To achieve this goal, it will be fundamental that all parties involved collaborate transparently and constructively. A comparison with similar practical scenarios, such as the Islamic cultural center in Bellinzona inaugurated in 2018, shows that transparent management and collaboration with local authorities can lead to peaceful coexistence and cultural enrichment.

📊 Key Data:

• Population of Pregassona: around 1,500 inhabitants
• Expected increase in traffic: 20-30% on days of prayer
• Increase in rents in Cassarate (Lugano): 15% over the past five years

💡 Points for Reflection:

• What are the financial guarantees requested by the Municipality?
• How will the impact on traffic and parking be managed?
• What are the relevant legal and urban planning precedents?

⚠️ Warnings:

• Lack of transparency could fuel local tensions.
• Collaboration between all parties involved is fundamental to the success of the project.

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

What residents can do

Residents of Pregassona who wish to express their opinion on the mosque project can submit formal objections by May 4. To do this, a specific procedure must be followed:

1. Gathering information: Verify all details of the project, including building plans and statements from the proposers. Official documents can be requested from the Pregassona Municipal Office, such as the updated 2023 Municipal Development Plan (PRC), which sets local building regulations. For example, Pregassona's PRC stipulates a maximum building density of 1.2 cubic meters per square meter of land area, a crucial parameter for assessing the project's compatibility.

2. Drafting the objection: Prepare a written document that clearly states the reasons for the objection, based on concrete facts and current regulations. For example, reference can be made to the 2010 Canton of Ticino Territorial Planning Act (LPT-TI), which sets criteria for assessing environmental and social impacts. An operational checklist may include:

• Verification of the project's compliance with local regulations.
• Analysis of traffic impacts, with reference to the 2018 Cantonal Traffic Master Plan (PDCT) data.
• Assessment of landscape impacts, based on the 1987 Federal Act on Nature and Landscape Protection (LPN).

3. Submitting the objection: Send the document to the Pregassona Municipal Office by the May 4 deadline. The objection can be submitted in person, by post, or by email, following the instructions provided by the Municipality. For example, the Municipality of Lugano recently received 45 objections for a similar project, all processed within 60 days of the deadline.

Useful tools

For those who wish to delve into issues related to territorial planning and project management, the Pregassona Municipal Office website offers a series of useful resources. Additionally, the urban planning calculator can be used to assess the impact of new projects on the territory. For example, the calculator can estimate the increase in traffic generated by the project, comparing it with the PDCT data.

For those interested in safety and transparency issues, the regulatory comparator can be a useful tool for comparing local laws with those of other regions. For example, the comparator can show that the Municipality of Bellinzona has recently introduced a 5% construction tax for large-scale projects, a regulation absent in Pregassona.

Conclusion

The mosque project in Pregassona represents a complex challenge for the Municipality and residents. Ensuring transparency and security will be fundamental to avoiding tensions and promoting peaceful coexistence. Residents are invited to actively participate in the process by submitting their observations by May 4. For further information and useful tools, visit the Pregassona Municipal Office website and consult the resources available on our portal.

"Citizen participation is essential for balanced territorial planning that respects everyone's needs."

For a practical comparison, the case of the Municipality of Locarno can be considered, where a similar project generated 30 objections, all resolved through a mediation process that led to significant changes to the initial project. This example demonstrates the importance of constructive dialogue among the parties involved.

Source: ticinonews.ch