immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: économie circulaire

  • Geneva on the road to Smart City 3.0

    Geneva on the road to Smart City 3.0

    With the “Smart Geneva” initiative, the canton of Geneva aims to become a Smart City 3.0, following the example of Scandinavian countries. Unlike top-down approaches, the aim here is to achieve sustainable, intelligent change through networking and the promotion of concrete projects. Patrick Montier, Smart City Manager for the canton of Geneva, stresses the importance of a participatory approach: “It’s about creating an ecosystem that stimulates innovation by encouraging innovative projects and facilitating access to resources and funding”.

    Coordination and networking of projects
    Until now, smart city projects in Geneva have been promising, but scattered and uncoordinated. This must now change. Private, state and scientific players will be networked via an online platform and various events to form a living community. A central database will collect and make accessible information on Smart City experiences and experiments.

    Promotion by the canton and integration of the community
    For the launch of the initiative, the canton of Geneva has selected nine projects that will receive particular support in terms of communication. These include an urban agriculture project, a crowdfunding platform and a route planner for cycling commuters. A telemedicine platform at HUG University Hospital and pilot projects with networked bus stops are also included.

    Using technology to protect the climate
    The Smart City 3.0 vision puts technology at the service of the region to meet the challenges of urbanisation and global warming. “Our vision uses digital technologies wisely, taking care to use sensors sparingly, for example, as they can be very energy-hungry,” explains Montier. It aims to maximise the benefits for the environment, mobility, health, the circular economy and the well-being of residents.

    Future prospects and regional integration
    One of the long-term objectives of the initiative is to integrate the French border area into the Smart City strategy. Those responsible promise that Geneva will be a fully-fledged Smart City by 2030. The implementation of the “Smart Geneva” initiative represents an important step towards sustainable and innovative urban development that meets the needs of residents while addressing the challenges of climate change.

  • 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.