Living in Birsfelden — municipality near Basel

Until 1815, barely more than a handful of houses stood here — it was only in 1874 that Birsfelden split off from Muttenz and became an independent municipality. With the cantonal split, the Birs became the cantonal border and Birsfelden a customs post, from which its character as a border town developed. Little known: from 1920 to 1950, Switzerland's first airport stood here on the Sternenfeld — already "the most modern in Switzerland" by 1926, with routes to London, Paris and Amsterdam; in 1930 even a Zeppelin landed there. After its closure, the Rhine harbour was built between 1937 and 1941, approved by 94% of the Baselland population in a vote. The Birsfelden power plant, built in 1954 with its fully glazed turbine hall, still supplies around 17% of the electricity for the Basel region today and is considered one of the region's most significant post-war structures. At Birsköpfli, where the Birs meets the Rhine, swimming and picnicking are popular among locals. Less well known: the Swiss headquarters of furniture maker Vitra is located in Birsfelden. The former harbour area continues to develop into a modern residential quarter with new cooperative housing. Tram 3 connects to Basel (Claraplatz, SBB) in 10–12 minutes.