Uploaded on 2015-05-20 by MarcusCap

**Capital/finances** ![Paradeplatz, a crucial financial square (UBS and Credit Suisse headquarters)][1] Belonging to both stock and flows, finances are in Zurich a decades-long specialization. The city’s stock exchange is, in fact, very influential on a European, despite the relatively small population (in Zurich ca. 365’000, and in Switzerland ca. 7.75 M.). Because the Swiss Franc is a strong and stable currency, and because of the past banking policies adopted in Switzerland, huge quantities of capital have entered Switzerland and specifically Zurich. They have, for the great part, stayed as stocks, but they are more and more being withdrawn thanks to modified financing regulations. These stocks and flows have guaranteed the city enough resources in the last two decades to carefully plan and manage the regained attractiveness and population growth, after a decline started in the 1970s. This triggers an inflow of population, showing how various stocks and flows are interlocked and dependent on each other. FUTURE OUTCOMES: Zurich, and Switzerland in general, are trying to strengthen the high-tech and innovative sectors, in order to be less dependent on global financial processes. In fact, even though up until now the city and the Country have been successful in managing their assets and in emphasizing their role as a financial catalyst, a sustainable development should rely on more concrete and less volatile keystones. Such as: **Information/education** ![Library, Rechtswissenschaftliches Institut, University of Zurich][2] Zurich (and Switzerland) has developed as an educational prime location on a global scale, and this role is still being emphasized and implemented. A stock and flow (in- and outward) of high-quality information is guaranteed by institutions such as ETH and University of Zurich. In this particular case, the flow of information is as crucial as their stock. In fact, a good deal of pieces of information is prone to become “old” very rapidly and only their flow, update and transformation keeps them relevant. Moreover, the importance of an educational institution is measured also by the quantity and quality of relationships it establishes (with foreign institutions, industry etc.). FUTURE OUTCOMES: It could be said that the location of Zurich is in center of Europe. Being at the crossroad of north-south commercial routes, Switzerland has always profited from its position and has invested in transportation and communication infrastructure (e.g. roads, tunnels). Nowadays information technology, coupled with the demands of globalization, calls for an update of such a strategy. More internationalization of Zurich’s educational system and stronger bonds with emerging world regions (e.g. south-east Asia) could guarantee a healthy renewal of its stock of information. **Water** ![View of Lake Zurich][3] Lake Zurich constitutes an crucial stock of fresh water for the city and the whole canton. This stock is constantly changing, becoming a flux by means of Zurich’s two main rivers, the Limmat and Sihl. Water from Lake Zurich is of high quality and thus a major source for the city’s tap water consumption; it regulates the microclimate and is an attractive recreational feature. The lake was substantially cleaned up in the last decades. FUTURE OUTCOMES: Climate change poses a threat to Lake Zurich, because too high temperatures, especially in winter, jeopardize water exchange and renewal, leading to the proliferation of algae. It appears that, in the future, the lake will need more and more human intervention (i.e. cleaning) in order to maintain a high water quality. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14321255964731572.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14321257394572796.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14321258669319385.jpg