Binz occupation, Alternative housing complex in Wiedikon, Zürich, Switzerland.
Binz was a former industrial building on Üetlibergstrasse that was occupied around 2006 and converted into a self-managed space. The building provided housing for around 50 people and included workspaces, communal kitchens, and areas for creative activities.
The building was occupied in 2006 and operated as a self-managed center until its eviction in 2013. For several years it resisted local authorities before the evacuation was finally enforced.
The space hosted theater performances, concerts, and workshops organized by residents themselves. These creative events drew visitors and made the building a cultural meeting point in the city.
The building is no longer accessible today, as it changed ownership after the 2013 eviction. Visitors can view the exterior on Üetlibergstrasse to get a sense of the former space.
During the final eviction in 2013, residents barricaded all entrances with vehicles and metal, but then left the building quietly at night instead of resisting. This tactic of a silent departure was unusual for such a long-standing occupied space.
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