Nature & Green Spaces in Winterthur: best neighborhoods and areas

By VivaMap · find the best place to live in Switzerland, from canton to exact address · Last updated 26 July 2026

Map of Nature & Green Spaces scores across the Winterthur area — top-ranked communes in green, weakest in red, per VivaMap methodology

Nature & Green Spaces combines vegetation cover (60%) and built-environment openness (40%). It measures both the presence of parks and forests and the airiness of the built fabric. A high score denotes a green, breathable setting.

On this criterion, the Winterthur area shows average results. The average score of 9.1/10, computed across 40 communes, sits on par with the national average (9.1/10). Scores span from 7.1/10 to 9.6/10 across the communes analysed.

The standard deviation of 0.6 signals relative homogeneity; results are comparable from one commune to the next.

Top 5 Communes

1. Berg am Irchel (ZH) 9.6/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average
2. Buch am Irchel (ZH) 9.6/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average
3. Oberembrach (ZH) 9.6/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average
4. Altikon (ZH) 9.6/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average
5. Schlatt (ZH) 9.6/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average

Bottom 5 Communes

1. Dietlikon (ZH) 7.1/10

strong performance, above the national average
2. Kloten (ZH) 7.6/10

strong performance, above the national average
3. Winterthur (ZH) 8.0/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average
4. Wangen-Brüttisellen (ZH) 8.2/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average
5. Volketswil (ZH) 8.3/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average

Berg am Irchel Buch am Irchel Oberembrach Altikon Schlatt (ZH)

Geographic Patterns and Contrasts

With a spread of only 2.5 points between extremes (9.6/10 to 7.1/10), the Winterthur communes offer relatively uniform conditions on this criterion.

Top-ranked communes typically benefit from several convergent factors (location, long-standing infrastructure, geographic exposure); the weakest often compound structural disadvantages. The interactive map makes these spatial clusters visible at a glance.

Who Weighs This Criterion Most

Among the four VivaMap profiles, the Nature profile weights this criterion most heavily (weight 100 out of 100). The other profiles apply the following weights: Retirement (weight 95), Family (weight 80), Young Professional (weight 30).

Practically, a high Nature & Green Spaces score carries significant impact on the ranking for the Nature profile, whereas it matters less for a profile that de-emphasises this criterion. This explains why the same commune can lead one ranking and fall mid-pack in another.

Comparison Across Swiss Agglomerations

Among the 21 major Swiss agglomerations analysed by VivaMap, Winterthur sits in the upper half for Nature & Green Spaces — rank 9/21 (ahead of 62% of the agglomerations).

Its immediate neighbours in the ranking are Thun (rank 8) and Biel/Bienne (rank 10). This context helps calibrate absolute scores: an agglomeration that looks average in isolation can sit well among its peers, and vice versa.

Key Takeaway

To prioritise Nature & Green Spaces in the Winterthur area, Berg am Irchel (ZH) leads with 9.6/10. Explore the interactive map to compare communes in real time, adjust weights to your profile, and see variation at the neighbourhood scale. See the national Nature & Green Spaces page for the full ranking and methodology.

Explore on the map →

Data: FSO, geo.admin.ch, OSM — Scores normalised 0-10