Nature & Green Spaces in Zurich: best neighborhoods and areas

By VivaMap · find the best place to live in Switzerland, from canton to exact address · Last updated 16 June 2026

Map of Nature & Green Spaces scores across the Zurich 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 Zurich area performs particularly well. The average score of 8.6/10, computed across 138 communes, sits on par with the national average (9.1/10). Scores span from 5.7/10 to 9.6/10 across the communes analysed.

The standard deviation of 0.8 signals relative homogeneity; results are comparable from one commune to the next.

Top 5 Communes

1. Maschwanden (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. Bachs (ZH) 9.6/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average
5. Kappel am Albis (ZH) 9.5/10

outstanding score, well above the Swiss national average

Bottom 5 Communes

1. Zürich (ZH) 5.7/10

solid performance, close to the Swiss average
2. Wallisellen (ZH) 6.3/10

solid performance, close to the Swiss average
3. Kilchberg (ZH) (ZH) 6.4/10

solid performance, close to the Swiss average
4. Opfikon (ZH) 6.5/10

strong performance, above the national average
5. Oberengstringen (ZH) 6.6/10

strong performance, above the national average

Maschwanden Buch am Irchel Oberembrach Bachs Kappel am Albis

Geographic Patterns and Contrasts

The spread between the top-ranked commune (9.6/10) and the weakest (5.7/10) reaches 3.9 points. The agglomeration offers contrasting profiles without marked homogeneity.

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, Zurich lands in last place for Nature & Green Spaces — rank 17/21 (ahead of 24% of the agglomerations).

Its immediate neighbours in the ranking are St. Gallen (rank 16) and Basel (rank 18). 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 Zurich area, Maschwanden (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