Switzerland's role model Basel shows the world how to swim in the river

Basel’s largest open-air swimming pool, the Rhine River, has become a global model for making urban waterways safe and accessible for public swimming. This week, delegations from around the world visited the Swiss city to learn how it transformed its river into a recreational space. The visit coincided with the annual official Rheinschwimmen, an event drawing thousands of locals each summer. This year, however, the crowd included city planners, politicians, activists, and environmentalists from over 100 cities across dozens of countries, seeking insights into how Basel achieved what many still dream of: turning a city center river into a public swimming area. The participants gathered for the “Swimmable Cities European Forum,” an initiative aimed at reviving urban waterways as places for swimming and relaxation. Basel was chosen as the forum’s host due to its reputation as one of the leading examples of urban river swimming worldwide. The event brought together representatives from cities, governments, scientific institutions, and civil society groups to discuss water quality, safety, urban planning, and climate adaptation. Among them were Ana Mumladze from Vienna, who noted that similar efforts are underway in her city to allow official swimming in the Danube Canal. Others, such as Ryan Sorenson from Wisconsin, shared stories of industrial pollution in their rivers and the long-term work being done to clean them up. Initiatives in Los Angeles and Newcastle also expressed interest in learning from Basel's experience. Christoph Bosshardt, head of the Basel-based Department of External Relations and Location Marketing, explained that Basel’s success is the result of decades of effort. He cited stricter environmental laws and the 1986 chemical spill at Schweizerhalle as pivotal moments that spurred greater attention to water protection. These developments align with broader trends in Switzerland, where industrialization once heavily polluted rivers, but modern wastewater treatment plants and regulations have restored waters like the Rhine, Aare, and Limmat to levels suitable for swimming. Beyond clean water, the visitors learned that infrastructure plays a crucial role in making rivers swimmable. Bosshardt emphasized that “clean water alone is not enough.” Elements such as showers, steps, access points, rescue plans, and clear rules are equally vital. Over the years, Basel has systematically developed this infrastructure along the Rhine, ensuring both safety and accessibility. This approach has made the river not just a functional waterway but a central part of daily life for many residents. For Swiss cities like Bern, Zurich, and Basel, rivers are more than transportation routes, they are spaces for leisure, socializing, and cooling down during hot summers. Basel’s Regierungspräsident, Conradin Cramer, highlighted the importance of the Rhine in everyday life, especially as heatwaves become more frequent. He pointed out that having a river within a city provides a unique form of relief and community connection. Nancy Ebner, a researcher at the University of Maastricht, is among those studying Basel’s model for urban river swimming. Her interest reflects growing academic and policy attention to the topic, as cities globally seek sustainable ways to integrate water bodies into urban environments. The lessons from Basel extend beyond water quality to include social, economic, and environmental dimensions of urban living. As the forum concluded, the focus remained on the practical application of these ideas. Delegates left with detailed knowledge of how Basel managed to turn its river into a thriving public space. With climate change increasing the demand for urban green areas and water resources, the Swiss example offers a blueprint for other cities aiming to reclaim their rivers. The future will likely see more collaboration between cities, scientists, and policymakers to adapt and implement similar strategies elsewhere. For now, Basel stands as a testament to what can be achieved through sustained commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.