¹ The Confederation, cantons and communes shall ensure that the land is used economically and that building areas are separate from the areas where building is not permitted.⁵ They shall coordinate their activities that have a spatial impact and implement a system of settlements that ensures the desired development of the country. They shall take account of the natural environment and of the needs of the population and the economy.

² By means of spatial and regional planning measures, they shall in particular support efforts to:

a.

protect natural resources such as soil, air, water, forests and the landscape;

a^bis.⁶

promote inward settlement development, while ensuring an appropriate quality of housing;

b.⁷

create compact settlements;

b^bis.⁸

create and maintain the regional requirements for the economy;

c.

encourage social, economic and cultural life in the various regions of the country, and promote appropriate decentralisation of settlement and economic activities;

d.

guarantee the basis for the provision of sufficient food supplies for the country;

e.

ensure the general defence of the country;

f.⁹

promote the integration of foreigners and social cohesion.