immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Construction

  • Switzerland, pioneer of the circular economy in the construction sector

    Switzerland, pioneer of the circular economy in the construction sector

    The Swiss construction sector is undergoing a transformation towards a circular economy. Currently, around 21% of companies have integrated
    circular business activities into their model. These measures aim
    primarily to reduce the consumption of materials and the environmental impact of the production process. An in-depth study shows that Switzerland is particularly well placed, thanks to its capacity for innovation, to successfully implement circular measures and thereby secure clear competitive advantages.

    Although progress in the circular economy varies from sector to sector, the electronics, pharmaceutical and automotive industries in particular are pioneers in Switzerland. However, the construction sector faces specific challenges: Implementation is complex from an organisational point of view and very
    different from one region to another in terms of the availability of financial resources and demand. Another obstacle is the often low level of awareness and concerns about
    the cost-effectiveness of such measures.

    Yet the ecological benefits of the circular economy in the construction industry are obvious. In Switzerland, this sector generates more than 80% of all
    waste and is responsible for around half the CO² emissions of an average building. These negative effects can be significantly minimised by early planning measures. This includes taking into account the life cycle of materials and their deconstruction, using recyclable and modular materials.

    The economic benefits are also beginning to be felt. Despite
    initially higher costs, the market value of these buildings exceeds that of comparable objects. Policy initiatives such as parliamentary initiatives are supporting the circular economy in building design and deconstruction. Strategic planning by building owners, the use of recyclable products and technological innovations such as CO²-absorbing concrete are essential to promote this sustainable practice. Innosuisse’s Circular Building Initiative (CBI) Booster is playing a key role in bringing together different stakeholders and encouraging circular projects.

    This global approach will be decisive in transforming the construction sector in a sustainable way and further strengthening Switzerland as a model region for the circular economy in construction.

  • Cross-border territorial vision 2050

    Cross-border territorial vision 2050

    The Geneva metropolitan area faces the complex task of managing the available space efficiently while coping with continued population growth. The ecological transition requires an innovative approach that takes into account the geographical specificities and accessibility of the regions in order to best manage the impact of population growth.

    In all the regions concerned, measures must be tailored to local circumstances and supported by the entire population in order to fulfil ecological commitments. These measures are adaptable and can be transferred from one region to another as part of an ongoing dialogue.

    In this context, the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, in collaboration with the French Geneva Metropolitan Cluster, have taken the initiative to launch an ecological transition process under the name “Cross-border Territorial Vision 2050”. The aim of this comprehensive exploratory approach is to redefine spatial planning and adapt it to environmental challenges.

    Spatial planning plays a central role in the development of the region in order to meet the needs of the 400,000 additional people expected by 2050. This is a challenge, especially given the limited space in Geneva and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    Strategies are currently being developed in Geneva to manage this increase while maintaining a high-quality, sustainable living environment. The objectives of these strategies include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change and protecting biodiversity.

    The “Vision Territoriale Transfrontalière 2050” project has already resulted in a participatory roadmap, which was adopted by the State Council at the end of 2021. Based on the climate emergency, the cantonal climate plan and the “Greater Geneva in transition” charter of 2022, this roadmap defines the stages and methods of the preparatory work that will feed into the next spatial planning documents.

    This project- and practice-oriented approach strongly involves local actors, in particular municipalities and associations, and promotes deep local anchoring, which facilitates subsequent implementation. The spatial scenarios developed by transdisciplinary teams enable the gradual development of a shared vision. The relevance of this vision is evaluated locally in discussion groups and, if it is conclusive, can be implemented on a larger scale. This iterative approach leads to a dynamic development of territorial concepts that are continuously refined and adapted to regional needs. In this way, the overall vision becomes a coherent, joint territorial project that strengthens local identities.

    The final version of the cross-border Territorial Vision 2050 should be available in summer 2024. An interim assessment already allows initial conclusions to be drawn and the outline of the vision to be sketched out. Concepts such as the “ecological ceiling” and the “social foundation”, inspired by Kate Raworth’s donut theory, play a central role in the spatial planning strategies. This change of perspective places the living world and its ecosystems at the centre of planning. Other aspects, such as the densification and reorganisation of urban spaces, promote short distances and efficient use of resources, which ultimately reduces the need for mobility and contributes to sustainable urban development.

    This comprehensive, region-specific approach ensures that Greater Geneva plays a leading role in sustainable spatial planning, not only as part of Switzerland, but also in a wider European context. The cross-border Vision 2050 thus makes a decisive contribution to the ongoing adaptation and improvement of Swiss spatial planning.