The Swiss Federal Office of Topography (SwissTopo) has been publishing detailed topographical maps of Switzerland since 1845, updating these almost yearly ever since. Not only are these maps true works of craftsmanship, they allow us to look back at the evolving landscape of the country over a century-and-a-half of social and environmental changes. I was recently browsing through the 2025 update and was struck by some saddening, and some uplifting natural changes. Swiss glac

Two transit agencies pursue similar projects - with very different levels of transparency Background: Railway double-tracking One of the strengths of railways is that they can handle bi-directional train traffic on a single track, as long as trains pass each other at safe locations. The same cannot be said for most other network systems, like roads, water pipes, or electrical wiring. The flexibility of single-track railways is great for rail operators because it means they ca

Since the end of the coronavirus pandemic, tourism seems to have increased almost everywhere I go. The small alpine village where my...