What does the Municipal Council in Aarau mean to you?

 

For me, the Municipal Council is a matter of honor. It’s a wonderful opportunity to take responsibility in our direct democracy. I don’t see it as an office, but as a service to our city. We discuss, we weigh options, we decide.

 

How do you see the KIFF 2.0 project in Aarau?

 

The KIFF is, for many young people, the first night out, the first real party, the first concert. With KIFF 2.0, Aarau is getting a new cultural center that is modern, attractive, and provides great events for our youth. What matters to me is that this space remains open for different generations and cultures, that it stays lively and gives young people freedom. Culture must not gather dust; it must move, inspire, and shape.

 

What is going wrong with the Aarau Buchs district school?

 

The Aarau Buchs district school is a large project but also an example that not everything runs smoothly. Costs have risen, management is under pressure, trust has suffered. Education must not become a mere administrative matter. For me, the priority is that children have good schools, that parents are involved, and that the quality of teaching is right. Less paperwork, fewer meetings, more focus on what matters.

 

What is important to you about safety at Aarau train station?

 

The station is the gateway to our city. Whoever arrives here should feel welcome, not unsafe. I want people to walk through Aarau in the evening without worry, my wife to come home safely after a long day, and children or elderly people not to feel afraid. That means clear police presence, better lighting, open sightlines, and consistent action against open drug use. Safety is quality of life.

 

How do you connect sustainability with economic thinking?

 

For me, sustainability is not a burden or a set of rules that takes things away from people. It’s about seizing opportunities. If we save energy, build more efficiently, or reduce waste, we all benefit. Sustainability must make Aarau stronger, not weaker. I want to show that ecology and economy can go hand in hand. No bans, but incentives. No blockade, but progress.

 

What does family-friendliness in Aarau mean to you?

 

Families need reliable schools, safe streets, and leisure activities that are truly child-friendly. I see playgrounds made of metal that get so hot in summer you can’t touch them, and so cold in winter they become dangerous. That’s not family-friendly. Family-friendliness means children can enjoy playing outside, parents can sit down, have a coffee, meet friends while their kids play safely. Aarau must be a city where families feel at home.

 

What do you understand by education for the future?

 

Education should not just get children through exams but make them strong for life. That includes knowledge, but also resilience. Children must learn to handle setbacks, take responsibility, and think creatively. Too often, this is not in focus. Schools should encourage courage, not just distribute grades. Aarau can lead the way in supporting schools that teach future skills.

 

What role does culture play for you in Aarau?

 

Culture is a link. It makes Aarau attractive, youthful, and open. I see young people celebrating at the Mainzug Eve. Many criticize it, but the feedback is clear: young people love it. It’s a celebration that brings joy and keeps our city alive. Culture is not a problem to be managed but an opportunity to strengthen identity. Aarau should promote culture, from large institutions to small initiatives.

 

What is your vision of Aarau in ten years?

 

I see an Aarau that is safe, where children attend good schools, where culture flourishes, and businesses grow. An Aarau that is bold, open to new things, and at the same time united. For me, it’s important that we don’t work against each other but find solutions together. A city where everyone finds their place, where people know and support each other, and are proud to live here.

 

How do you see the housing situation in Aarau?

 

As a father, I know how hard it is to find suitable housing in Aarau. For families with children, there are far too few options. Often you see the same ads in Telli, but hardly new opportunities. Housing must remain affordable but also attractive for families. It cannot be that families are forced to move away because they can’t find a four-room apartment here. Aarau must provide housing that fits the city—modern, yet family-oriented.

 

What are your thoughts on traffic and mobility in Aarau?

 

Traffic is not an either/or. We need functioning roads for businesses and customers, parking, but also good public transport connections and safe bike paths. In Aarau, discussions are often divisive—drivers against cyclists, public transport against cars. I believe there are solutions that serve everyone. The key is not to block ideologically but to plan pragmatically.

 

How important is police presence in Aarau to you?

 

Police presence is not just about safety but also a signal. When people see the police, they feel safer. Especially in places like the train station or the old town, presence is needed. But for me, it’s also about respect. Police and citizens should meet at eye level. Safety arises not only from laws but from trust.What role do startups and SMEs play in your politics?Startups and SMEs are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs, drive innovation, and invigorate our city. I want Aarau to be a place where founders are welcome, bureaucracy is reduced, and ideas can be implemented quickly. If we position Aarau as a business hub, everyone benefits—from apprenticeships to investors.

 

What does sustainable urban development mean to you?

 

For me, urban development doesn’t just mean more concrete. Aarau should grow, but with heart. Densification yes, but not at any cost. We need green spaces, squares where people want to linger, and architecture that creates quality of life. Aarau should not only be a city to live in but a city to experience.

 

How should neighborhoods in Aarau be strengthened?

 

Neighborhoods are the backbone of our city. Each one has its own character. I want neighborhoods to have a voice, to develop their own projects, and for the city to listen. For me, neighborhood development means not everything is decided centrally, but that people on site can shape their environment.

 

What does cooperation with neighboring municipalities mean to you?

 

Aarau never stands alone. Whether in schools, traffic, or the economy—we are always part of a region. I want Aarau to actively seek cooperation instead of isolating itself. Together with neighboring municipalities, we can find better solutions.

 

What opportunities do you see in digitization for Aarau?

 

Digitization must not remain a buzzword. For me, it means simple online administrative processes, transparent information for citizens, and better communication between administration and the population. Digitization should make life easier, not more complicated.

 

Why do you rely on personal responsibility in politics?

 

I believe a city is only strong if people take responsibility. Politics cannot regulate everything, and it shouldn’t. Personal responsibility means contributing—whether in clubs, schools, or the neighborhood. The city should support, not patronize.

 

What does the barracks area in the center of Aarau mean to you?

 

The barracks area is, for me, a strategically important place. As a staff officer, I know the processes in the military. If we can use federal infrastructure, we save costs and simplify planning. For finance officers, for staff, and for all of us, it’s easier if training is planned there instead of in hotels. It relieves the budget, makes good use of existing buildings, and strengthens Aarau as a location.

 

What role do leisure activities play in Aarau?

 

Leisure is quality of life. Families need playgrounds, young people need spaces, adults need meeting places. I want Aarau to create leisure opportunities that are truly used—safe playgrounds, facilities that are fun, and places that connect. This strengthens cohesion.

 

How important is healthcare in Aarau to you?

 

Health concerns everyone. Aarau has good hospitals and doctors, but we must ensure that care remains affordable and accessible. It’s important to me that older people don’t have to travel long distances and that families have good childcare in healthcare.

 

What does the club and association life in Aarau mean to you?

 

Associations are the heart of our city. They bring people together, regardless of origin. I believe Aarau should support clubs more simply. Less paperwork, more practice. A club that trains children or offers culture does more for integration and cohesion than any regulation.

 

What is your vision for Aarau’s city center?

 

The city center should be a place where people enjoy spending time. That means fewer vacancies, more mix of living, working, and leisure. Gastronomy and small businesses must have a chance, otherwise the center loses its soul. I want a lively old town, not an empty backdrop.

 

How important are parking spaces for businesses in Aarau?

 

Businesses depend on customers being able to visit them. For me, it’s clear: parking is part of that. At the same time, we need good public transport and cycling connections. But someone running a craft business or shopping must not be blocked. Aarau must have the courage to find practical solutions.