Barbara Zeleny: The new force in the Thurgau building authority!

Barbara Zeleny: The new force in the Thurgau building authority!

From March 2026 there will be an exciting change in leadership in the building construction department of the canton of Thurgau: The architect Barbara Zeleny will succeed Roland Ledergerber, who will be leaving at the end of August 2025. The Thurgauer Zeitung reports that Zeleny is an experienced expert who has been working at SBB Immobilien since 2015 and has been leading area developments there in collaboration with cities and cantons since 2021.

With a clear focus on sustainable real estate development, Zeleny wants to design future-oriented projects that combine ecological responsibility with social added value. The future cantonal master builder is also involved as an advisory board member of the spatial development platform “ETH Raum” and actively cooperates with universities and research institutions. She completed her in-depth training as an architect in both Europe and the USA. Before that, she was a project manager at the renowned architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron in Basel for around seven years.

Experience and commitment

Barbara Zeleny not only brings extensive professional experience, but also knowledge of leadership, personnel and team development. Your overall overview of cultural aspects and collaboration with various stakeholders will certainly be an advantage in your new role. In her private life, she is single and the mother of two children, which may have also influenced her view of family-friendly and sustainable urban planning.

Until Zeleny takes office, the building construction authority will be managed on an interim basis by the existing management, which includes Eric Kooreman, Markus Läubli, Michael Otto, Stefan Semola and Pascal Wassmann. This transition period is intended to ensure that everything runs smoothly as Barbara Zeleny prepares for her new challenge.

Importance of urban planning

In today's world, sustainable urban planning is of central importance. More than ever, society is demanding a rethink that combines ecological and social aspects. Gender-equitable planning is an important topic, as traditional gender roles are often still anchored in the area of ​​planning and building. As described on Genanet, traditional urban planning and patriarchal structures often cement unfavorable lifestyles, especially for people who do care work.

The challenges in urban and regional planning also affect the accessibility of public infrastructure. The “city of short distances” model, which promotes accessibility within 15 minutes by bike, is currently being increasingly discussed and could be given a breath of fresh air by Barbarta Zeleny's focus on sustainability.

The proportion of women in planning professions is around 35%, which shows that female perspectives are urgently needed in urban planning. With her position as cantonal architect, Barbara Zeleny could play an important role in promoting gender equality and an improved quality of life for all segments of the population. Your vision of future urban planning could help to further raise awareness of such issues in society and at the same time provide the necessary impetus for innovative and sustainable solutions.

In this respect, it is not just numbers and structures that are at stake, but also the demands and needs of citizens. Zeleny's approach could make a significant contribution to creating a livable and sustainable city.