MCP server · In practice

Your AI assistant now knows Swiss spatial planning.

You ask a question in the chat. Your assistant fetches official geodata and legal bases and calculates with methods SPEKTRUM has developed from planning practice: building zone capacity, permit pre-check, value capture, weighing of interests. Every statement with a source.

See examples Set up now
118tools in 9 services
26cantons with thematic maps
2,110municipalities with building zone capacity
1,524municipalities with zones from cantonal zoning plans
What applies to the plot at Bahnhofstrasse 12 in Uster, and which hazards are recorded?
Tools called✓swisstopo_search✓swisstopo_get_egrid✓oereb_get_extract✓get_naturgefahren✓get_gewaesserraum · get_laermempfindlichkeit✓get_denkmalschutz

Plot B7635 in Uster ZH, 460 m², EGRID CH267731069777.

  • Zone: core zone Kirchuster (K3/4) on the whole plot; the land-use plan is under revision, a change with anticipatory effect is recorded
  • Building lines: municipal traffic building lines
  • Noise: sensitivity level III
  • Natural hazards: no hazard in the synoptic hazard map
  • Water area: not affected; heritage: no objects within 30 m

Because of the anticipatory effect, consult the ongoing land-use plan revision before giving information.

Sources: ÖREB cadastre ZH (binding), GIS-ZH hazard map, water area and heritage objects
Real queries of 14.10.2026, shortenedFull example

The SPEKTRUM MCP connects AI assistants via the open Model Context Protocol to 118 tools for Swiss spatial planning: federal geodata and the cadastre of public-law restrictions (ÖREB), cantonal thematic maps, building zone capacity, building permit pre-check, value capture, weighing of interests, EIA screening and case law. Beyond access to official data it contains its own calculation and check methods, recorded building regulations and curated legal sources, developed by SPEKTRUM Partner GmbH in Zurich under the lead of Andreas Rupf, spatial and urban planner and lecturer in the MAS and CAS in Spatial Development at ETH Zurich.

Last updated: 15 October 2026 · Responsible: Andreas Rupf, SPEKTRUM Partner GmbH

How it works

From the chat to the official source and back.

The MCP server connects your existing AI assistant to the planning data. You connect it once. From then on, the assistant decides for each question which tools it needs.

  1. YOU

    Question in the chat

    In plain language, as you would ask a colleague. With address, municipality or plot number.

  2. ASSISTANT

    Claude, ChatGPT & Co.

    Understands the question, plans the steps and calls the right tools.

  3. MCP.SPEKT.CH

    SPEKTRUM MCP

    SPEKTRUM’s own calculations, check rules and recorded regulations. 9 services, 118 tools.

    ch-bundbauzonegis-zhgis-kantoneortsplanungspektrum
  4. SOURCES

    Official data

    swisstopoÖREB cadastrecantonal geoportalsGWRcantonal lawFederal Supreme Court
  5. RESULT

    Answer with references

    Summary, calculation or draft report. Every statement with a source you can check.

↺ back to the chat, with sources

Connect once

Add the address as a connector in your assistant and sign in once. No coding, no API key in the chat.

The assistant chooses

You do not need to know tool names. For a plot question it combines geodata, zoning plan and hazard map itself.

You decide

The AI prepares and calculates. Review, weighing and signature stay with you.

SPEKTRUM know-how

More than a data connection.

Official data is plentiful. The difference lies in what is calculated and checked with it. SPEKTRUM developed the planning logic behind it itself, from local plans, expert opinions and building permits, and tests it on real cases.

Your assistantClaude, ChatGPT, Copilot

understands the question and writes the answer

SPEKTRUM planning logicdeveloped by SPEKTRUM

calculation methods, check rules, recorded building regulations, curated law and report templates

Official dataConfederation, cantons, courts

swisstopo, ÖREB cadastre, cantonal geoportals, statistics, laws, rulings

Developed by SPEKTRUM

Calculation

Building zone capacity under Art. 15 RPG

Calculation model following common cantonal methodology, implemented by SPEKTRUM with an auditable deduction cascade: crop rotation areas, water area, forest, natural hazards and ÖREB are shown one by one, mobilisation and population forecast included. For every Swiss municipality.

Check rules

Building permit pre-check

Standard building rules checked against regulations SPEKTRUM recorded by hand from the parameter tables and harmonised to IVHB, plus parking demand under VSS and deadline plans with paragraphs and public holidays.

Calculation

Value capture

Calculation of the planning gain under cantonal law with zone factors per municipality, for single plots or whole areas in one run.

Method

Weighing of interests under Art. 3 RPV

Five specialised AI agents work through the weighing step by step: identify, assess and weigh interests, with evidence from law and case law.

Check rules

EIA screening

Check of the EIA obligation against the thresholds of the EIA Ordinance, with checklist, cantonal procedural law and a cross-check against rulings.

Assessment

Site analysis

Assessment logic for seven topics with traffic light, finding, source and legal basis; noise against the limits of the revised noise law; data gaps never turn green.

Method

Scenarios & variants

Comparison of up to eight variants against the zero option with its own rule set for strengths and weaknesses, RPG check, demand coverage and a map from the official survey.

Knowledge base

Case law and reports

Curated collection of planning rulings with headnotes, cantonal law and structure plan texts in full, and templates for the Art. 47 RPV planning report, council proposals and participation reports.

Developed and maintained by Andreas Rupf, spatial and urban planner and lecturer in the MAS and CAS in Spatial Development at ETH Zurich, SPEKTRUM Partner GmbH. The methods are based on many years of experience in Swiss spatial planning and are continuously developed further.

Day to day

Fewer windows, more planning work.

Using a first assessment of a plot as an example.

Today

  1. Look up the address in the geoportal, note plot and EGRID
  2. Order the ÖREB extract as PDF and read it
  3. Check hazard map, water area and noise level each in a separate map
  4. Look up zone parameters in the building regulations (PDF)
  5. Collect everything in Word, add sources by hand
Five applications, many breaks in between

With the SPEKTRUM MCP

  1. Ask the question in the chat
  2. The assistant fetches plot, ÖREB, thematic maps and zone parameters
  3. Check the answer and sources, ask follow-ups, use it as a note or draft
One window, all sources named

Time

Checks that take several portals, in one step of the conversation.

Traceable

Every statement names the dataset, legal article or ruling.

One place

Geodata, law and calculation combined in the same conversation.

One account

Sign-in via OAuth, no API key in the chat, one account for the whole firm.

What you can do

Nine fields, one connection.

Typical questions and one worked example each. Six are real queries, all answers are shortened.

1Plot & property

Everything that applies to a plot, in one answer.

An address or plot number is enough. The assistant determines location and EGRID, fetches the ÖREB extract and overlays the cantonal thematic maps: zone, natural hazards, water area, noise, heritage protection, crop rotation areas, public transport quality.

SPEKTRUM methodQueries bundled across all cantons: the assistant receives the ÖREB extract and cantonal thematic maps in one consistent structure, however each geoportal is built.
  • Which public-law restrictions are recorded on plot 4711 in Wil SG?
  • Is the property within the water area or a hazard zone?
  • How many dwellings are there within 300 m?

Services: ch-bund, gis-zh, gis-lu, gis-gr, gis-kantone (all 26 cantons via the thematic map dossier)

Examplereal query of 14.10.2026, shortened
What applies to the plot at Bahnhofstrasse 12 in Uster, and which hazards are recorded?
swisstopo_searchswisstopo_get_egridoereb_get_extractget_naturgefahrenget_gewaesserraum · get_laermempfindlichkeitget_denkmalschutz

Plot B7635 in Uster ZH, 460 m², EGRID CH267731069777.

  • Zone: core zone Kirchuster (K3/4) on the whole plot; the land-use plan is under revision, a change with anticipatory effect is recorded
  • Building lines: municipal traffic building lines
  • Noise: sensitivity level III
  • Natural hazards: no hazard in the synoptic hazard map
  • Water area: not affected; heritage: no objects within 30 m

Because of the anticipatory effect, consult the ongoing land-use plan revision before giving information.

Sources: ÖREB cadastre ZH (binding), GIS-ZH hazard map, water area and heritage objects
2Site analysis

A traffic light per topic, for every plot.

An address or coordinate is enough. The site analysis combines the ÖREB cadastre, federal geodata and cantonal thematic maps into a traffic light for seven topics: planning law and zone, noise, natural hazards, water and groundwater, nature/landscape/heritage, contaminated sites and major-accident prevention, public transport. With an overall picture and a report to work with.

SPEKTRUM methodAssessment logic with traffic light, source and legal basis per finding; road and rail noise checked against the limits of the revised noise law; data gaps count as «not checkable», never green.
  • Run a site analysis for Schachenstrasse 10 in Kriens.
  • Where does this site need further clarification?
  • How well is the plot served by public transport?

Services: bauzone, with ch-bund and the cantonal geodata

Examplereal query of 14.10.2026, shortened
Run a site analysis for Schachenstrasse 10 in Kriens.
standortanalyse

Plot 443 in Kriens LU, 1,449 m², centre extension zone, noise level III, public transport class A (bus stop 89 m away).

  • Green: planning law and zone, noise (road 58/45 dB(A), planning value met), water and groundwater, nature and heritage, public transport
  • Yellow, natural hazards: zone with building conditions, medium hazard on the hazard map, area for detailed hazard assessment
  • Yellow, accident prevention: consultation area along a through road, soil relocation check perimeter

Shown openly as not checked: rail noise, subsoil, easements and standard building rules.

Sources: ÖREB cadastre LU (binding), thematic maps canton of Lucerne, sonBASE noise model FOEN, ARE public transport classes
3Building zones & local planning

Building zone capacity under Art. 15 RPG, for every municipality.

Calculate reserves and capacity, compare them with the cantonal population forecast, weigh variants and draft the planning report under Art. 47 RPV or a council proposal.

SPEKTRUM methodCapacity calculation with deduction cascade and mobilisation, variant comparison and report templates under Art. 47 RPV.
  • Is Hinwil’s building zone sufficient for growth up to 2040?
  • Compare upzoning and rezoning for the area Bahnhof Süd.
  • Draft the chapter on building zone sizing for the Art. 47 report.

Services: bauzone

Examplereal query of 14.10.2026, shortened
Is Hinwil’s building zone sufficient for the expected growth up to 2040?
suche_gemeindehole_bevoelkerungsprognoseberechne_bauzonenkapazitaet

Forecast (FSO medium scenario): from 11,961 residents in 2024 to 13,486 in 2040, about 1,525 more.

  • Undeveloped building zone according to ARE statistics: 28.3 ha, of which 19.0 ha are employment zones
  • With all reserves, capacity lasts for about 18 years on paper
  • Residential and mixed zones only (9.3 ha): room for about 590 additional residents, covering roughly 6 years

For housing, the calculation shows a shortfall. Next step: check vacant plots (upper ARE estimate 48.6 ha) and densification in built-up areas.

Sources: ARE building zone statistics 2022, FSO STATPOP and population scenarios; default assumptions floor area ratio 0.5, 55 m² per person, mobilisation 70 %
4Scenarios & variants

Compare inward development, with a zero option.

Compare up to eight development variants of a perimeter: density, use mix, residents and jobs, space users per hectare, demand coverage against the FSO forecast, parking and compliance with standard building rules. With a map from the official survey and transfer into the Art. 47 RPV planning report.

SPEKTRUM methodRule set with thresholds and legal basis for strengths and weaknesses, RPG check under Art. 1 and 3, zero option as automatic reference; an overall ranking only with explicit weighting.
  • Compare three density variants for the station area.
  • Which variant best covers demand up to 2040?
  • Give me the variants as a map for QGIS.

Services: bauzone

Examplereal query of 14.10.2026, shortened
Compare three variants for a station area in Hinwil (1.2 ha, 45 residents today): FAR 0.7 housing only, FAR 1.0 with 20 % jobs, FAR 1.4 with 30 % jobs. The area is meant to take 20 % of growth up to 2040.
vergleiche_varianten
  • Additional demand for the area up to 2040: 305 residents (20 % of 1,525)
  • A, FAR 0.7: +61 residents, 105 space users/ha, covers 20 %
  • B, FAR 1.0: +85 residents, +29 jobs, 149 space users/ha, covers 28 %
  • C, FAR 1.4: +117 residents, +69 jobs, 209 space users/ha, covers 38 %
  • All variants meet inward development under Art. 1 para. 2 RPG; the weakness is high parking demand (0.66 to 0.75 spaces per space user)

No variant covers the intended demand on its own. Weighting remains part of the weighing of interests.

Sources: FSO STATPOP and population scenarios, VSS 40 281, RPG Art. 1, 3 and 15; perimeter data from the question
5Building permits

A pre-check before the application lands on the desk.

Check zone conformity, look up parameters in the building regulations, calculate parking requirements, determine deadlines and find the applicable standards. For building authorities and project teams alike. Building regulations are recorded for selected municipalities, deadline plans currently for the canton of Lucerne.

SPEKTRUM methodHand-recorded parameter tables from building regulations, check rules based on IVHB and a deadline calculator that backs every deadline with its legal paragraph.
  • Is a commercial building with a residential share allowed in this zone?
  • How many parking spaces does a block of 14 flats need?
  • By when must the municipality decide on the application?

Services: bauzone

Examplereal query of 14.10.2026, shortened
Pre-check: replacement building with 14 flats in residential zone D in Kriens, 4 full storeys, flat roof, facade height 13 m. Submission on 2 November.
baureglement_abfragenpruefe_zonenkonformitaetberechne_parkplatzbedarfbaugesuch_fristen
  • Zone: residential zone D, noise sensitivity level II; parameters from the cantonal zoning plan (indicative)
  • Facade height 13 m: not compliant (max. 12 m)
  • Note: the zoning plan still lists an old floor area ratio (AZ 0.55); check the conversion of the building regulations to IVHB
  • Parking: base demand of 16 spaces under VSS 40 281, no reduction; the municipal regulation takes precedence
  • Deadlines with publication on 16.11.2026: objection period until 7.12., target decision 30.12.2026
Sources: zoning plan Kriens in the cantonal data model (canton of Lucerne), building regulations Kriens, PBG LU §§ 193–196, PBV LU § 63, VSS 40 281
6Value capture

Calculate the value capture levy, for single plots or whole areas.

Estimate planning gains from new zoning, rezoning and upzoning under cantonal law, using the municipality’s zone factors. Value several plots at once and check implementation status by canton.

SPEKTRUM methodCalculation model for planning gains with zone factors per municipality and openly stated assumptions.
  • What levy results from upzoning W2 to W3 for these five plots?
  • Where in the canton of Zurich does a municipal value capture apply?

Services: ortsplanung

Exampleshortened
Estimate the value capture levy for the upzoning in the town centre, plot list attached.
get_gemeinde_infoget_zonenfaktorenbatch_bewertung

Table with planning gain, allowance and levy per plot, totals at the end. Assumptions (land value, levy rate) are shown openly and can be adjusted.

Sources: MAG/MAV ZH, municipal regulation, municipal zone factors
7Case law search

Describe your project, find relevant rulings.

Describe your project in your own words. The assistant searches the rulings of the Federal Supreme Court and all cantonal courts, including administrative and building appeal courts, and summarises how similar cases were decided. Every hit with headnote and link to the original ruling.

SPEKTRUM methodCurated case law collection of the Case Law Search with its own headnote per Federal Supreme Court ruling, indexed by topic, planning occasion, protected interest and outcome; plus the daily full-text search across all courts.
  • We want to convert an old farmhouse outside the building zone into flats. Are there rulings on this?
  • How have courts decided objections to mobile phone antennas in residential zones?
  • Are there recent rulings on the water area for replacement buildings?

Services: spektrum

Examplereal query of 14.10.2026, shortened
We want to convert an old multi-purpose farmhouse in the agricultural zone into several flats and extend it slightly. Are there rulings on this?
rechtsprechung_suchen

22 rulings found, the most relevant on Art. 24c RPG:

  • Building appeals court ZH, BRGE IV No. 0016/2022: conversion of a listed multi-purpose farmhouse into seven flats rejected; the extension exceeded the limit under Art. 42 para. 3 RPV
  • Administrative court SG, B 2015/100: extension for contemporary residential use accepted in this case, referred back because the question of usability remained open
  • Administrative court SG, B 2015/99: protection of existing buildings denied because the building was no longer usable when demolished

Common thread: extensions remain bound by the limits of Art. 42 para. 3 RPV, and the existing building must be usable as intended. Check rulings in the original before using them.

Source: entscheidsuche.ch (Federal Supreme Court and cantonal courts, updated daily), with a link to each original ruling
8Weighing, EIA & case law

Weighing of interests and EIA screening backed by case law.

Start a weighing of interests under Art. 3 RPV, check a project for EIA obligation and cross-check it, find relevant Federal Supreme Court rulings, query structure plans and cantonal law.

SPEKTRUM methodWeighing of interests with five specialised agents, EIA checklist based on the EIA Ordinance and a curated case law collection with headnotes.
  • Does the gravel pit extension require an EIA?
  • Which rulings exist on zoning crop rotation areas for building?
  • Start a weighing of interests for the attached project description.

Services: spektrum, bauzone

Exampleshortened
Which Federal Supreme Court rulings exist on zoning crop rotation areas for building?
rechtsprechung_suchenkantonsrecht_abfragen

List of relevant rulings with headnote, date and the decisive considerations on Art. 30 RPV, each linked to the full text. On request phrased as a paragraph for the planning report.

Sources: Federal Supreme Court, cantonal law
9Participation & reports

From submissions to the participation report.

Break down submissions from public participation under Art. 4 RPG, group them by topic and propose responses. Turn analyses into reports, recommendations and proposals for authorities.

SPEKTRUM methodAnalysis method following local planning practice: break down submissions, group them, propose responses in the usual categories.
  • Group the 86 submissions on the land-use plan revision by topic.
  • Write a proposal to the municipal council on the partial revision.

Services: bauzone

Exampleshortened
Analyse the attached submissions and propose responses.
mitwirkung_auswertengeneriere_bericht

Concerns grouped by topic (traffic, density, open space …), each with a proposal «taken into account / partly / not taken into account» and reasons. Result as a draft participation report.

Basis: your submissions, planning proposal, Art. 4 RPG
Who it is for

For everyone who works with zones, plots and permits every day.

Municipalities & building authorities

Information at the counter, pre-checking applications, deadlines in view.

Typical: «What may I build on my property?» answered quickly, with sources.

Planning firms

Groundwork for local plan revisions, capacity statements, draft reports.

Typical: the chapter on building zone sizing with figures and sources as a first draft.

Cantons & specialist offices

Comparison across municipalities, case law, EIA questions.

Typical: cross-checking an EIA screening against the relevant rulings.

Set-up

Connected in five minutes.

Your firm has a shared account. You get the e-mail and password from the person who manages the subscription. The address is the same for all assistants:

https://mcp.spekt.ch/mcp

Connection point for the AI assistant, not a website: copy the address and enter it in the assistant as a connector. Opened in a browser it only shows an error message.

Claude (web and desktop)

  1. Settings → Connectors → «Add connector»
  2. Name «SPEKTRUM MCP», paste the address above, «Add», then «Connect»
  3. In the sign-in window enter the firm account’s e-mail and password, «Allow access»

Requires a paid Claude plan (Pro, Team or Enterprise). In Team and Enterprise, admins usually set up the connector for everyone.

ChatGPT

  1. Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → turn on «Developer Mode»
  2. «Create» or «Add custom connector»: name «SPEKTRUM MCP», address above, authentication «OAuth»
  3. Sign in, then enable the connector in the chat via «+» → Apps

Requires Pro, Business, Enterprise or Edu. If the connector disappears from the list: delete and create it again.

Microsoft 365 Copilot

  1. In Copilot Studio open an agent → Tools → «Add tool» → «Model Context Protocol»
  2. Server URL above, authentication «OAuth 2.0», method «Dynamic discovery»
  3. Sign in, test and publish to Copilot or Teams

Requires an M365 Copilot licence and Copilot Studio, usually via your IT.

How to ask well

  • Name the place precisely: address, municipality and canton, or plot number with municipality.
  • State the goal: «for a counter enquiry», «as a paragraph for the planning report», «as a table».
  • Ask for sources: «with a source for each statement». The assistant names the dataset, article or ruling.
  • Follow up: keep asking in the same conversation, e.g. «and what does that mean for the floor area ratio?».
Limits

What the access cannot do.

So you can read the answers correctly.

No official statement

Answers replace neither the certified ÖREB extract nor a ruling or decision of the competent authority.

The assistant can be wrong

The data comes from official sources, but the AI writes the summary. Check important statements against the named source.

Coverage by canton

In depth: ZH, LU, GR, SG, AG, BE and VS. The other cantons via the cantonal thematic maps, with fewer topics. Federal data (swisstopo, ÖREB) covers all of Switzerland. Building zone capacity for all 2,110 municipalities, zones from cantonal zoning plans for 1,524 municipalities in 20 cantons, hand-recorded building regulations with parameter tables for 9 municipalities.

Building regulations and deadlines

Zone parameters are only available for municipalities already recorded (recorded by hand e.g. Aarau, Chur, St.Gallen and Frauenfeld; indicatively from cantonal zoning plans for 1,524 municipalities), deadline plans for building permits currently only for the canton of Lucerne. If something is missing, the assistant says so; we add it on request.

As current as the source

Geodata is queried from the portals. Ongoing revisions that are not yet published are unknown to the system.

Read and calculate only

The access enters nothing into official systems, submits nothing and sends nothing.

Quota

The firm account has a monthly call quota and at most 30 calls per minute. At «monthly limit reached» it renews at the start of the month; more on request.

Your input

What you type or upload in the chat is processed by your AI provider (e.g. Anthropic, OpenAI, Microsoft) under its terms. The SPEKTRUM MCP only receives the individual tool calls, such as an address or municipality. Do not enter confidential personal data.

Questions or trouble connecting: andreas.rupf@spekt.ch

Questions

Frequently asked questions about the SPEKTRUM MCP.

Short answers for the decision in your office.

What is the SPEKTRUM MCP?

The SPEKTRUM MCP is a server based on the Model Context Protocol that connects AI assistants such as Claude, ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot with 118 tools for Swiss spatial planning: official geodata and the PLR cadastre (ÖREB), cantonal thematic maps, building zone capacity under Art. 15 RPG, building permit pre-checks, value capture levies, weighing of interests, EIA screening and case law. It is operated by SPEKTRUM Partner GmbH in Zurich.

What does the SPEKTRUM MCP cost?

The SPEKT-AI service with product information is free. The full subscription with all nine services and 118 tools costs CHF 98 per month for one office account, with a monthly call quota. You also need a suitable plan with your AI provider, because connectors are only available in paid plans (see set-up).

Which AI assistants does it work with?

With every client that supports remote MCP servers with OAuth: Claude (web, desktop and Claude Code), ChatGPT in developer mode, Microsoft 365 Copilot via Copilot Studio, and developer tools such as Cursor or VS Code. The address is the same everywhere: https://mcp.spekt.ch/mcp. You sign in with the SPEKTRUM office account.

Which cantons and data are covered?

Federal data from swisstopo and the PLR cadastre apply nationwide, as does building zone capacity for all 2,110 municipalities. Cantonal thematic maps exist for all 26 cantons, in depth for Zurich, Lucerne, Graubünden, St.Gallen, Aargau, Bern and Valais. Zones from the cantonal zoning plan are available for 1,524 municipalities in 20 cantons, hand-recorded building regulations for 9 municipalities.

Are the answers legally binding?

No. The SPEKTRUM MCP is a working aid. The data comes from official sources and every statement carries its source, but the summary is written by the AI assistant. The certified PLR extract, the ruling and the decision of the competent authority remain binding. Check important statements against the source given.

What happens to my data?

Your chat input is processed by your AI provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, Microsoft) under its terms. The SPEKTRUM MCP only receives the individual tool calls, such as an address or a municipality, and is read-only: it enters nothing into official systems, submits nothing and sends nothing. Confidential personal data does not belong in the chat.

How does it differ from open geodata MCP servers?

Open servers for swisstopo or geo.admin.ch deliver federal layers. The SPEKTRUM MCP adds cantonal thematic maps for all 26 cantons, recorded building regulations, prepared planning and building law, case law and the professional logic from planning practice: building zone capacity, permit pre-check, value capture levy, site analysis and weighing of interests, each with finding, source and legal basis.

Do I need programming skills?

No. You add the address once as a connector in your assistant and sign in with the office account. After that you ask in plain language, for example "What applies to the plot at Bahnhofstrasse 12 in Uster?". The assistant handles the rest: choosing the tools and citing the sources.

Get started

Connected? Then try it with a case of your own.

Take a plot or an application you are working on right now and ask the question the way you would ask a colleague.