immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: urbanisme

  • Bernex major project – an urban crossroads with housing and jobs

    Bernex major project – an urban crossroads with housing and jobs

    The major Bernex project stretches along the tramway extension and covers almost 120 hectares. The first phase, scheduled for completion in 2030, will see the construction of 1,600 homes and 1,600 jobs in Bernex and 200 homes in Confignon.the project is being planned and implemented in a number of sectors and stages, with the aim of creating a dynamic and integrated urban environment.

    Project sectors and areas
    The main sectors of the project are the Bernex-Est sector, with the Saint-Mathieu and Grouet neighbourhoods, the Molliers agro-urban park, the Goutte de Saint-Mathieu public facilities and the Rouettes industrial estate. Other sectors include Vailly and Vuillonnex. These sectors will be structured by two urban boulevards, the “Boulevard de Chancy” and the “Boulevard des Abarois”, which will serve the future districts in parallel with the development of public transport.
    Housing and employment objectives
    The plan provides for the planning of around 2,800 new housing units and 2,550 new jobs in the East sector and Vailly. The cantonal master plan aims to make Bernex a regional hub with a total of 5,700 housing units and jobs. In addition to housing, places for training and culture will be created to meet the needs of future residents and workers.

    Preserving the agricultural identity
    The project will also extend to farmland in order to preserve and promote local and regional agricultural activity. The Molliers agri-urban park plays a central role in this respect by preserving and enhancing the region’s agricultural identity.

    Mobility concept
    Several measures are being implemented to promote sustainable mobility. These include a greenway for soft mobility and two park-and-ride facilities to encourage a modal shift from car to public transport, cycling and walking. These measures are essential to reduce through-traffic and improve accessibility to the new neighbourhoods.

    Environmental measures and public spaces
    A large proportion of the new neighbourhoods will be public, with extensive green spaces. Particular attention will be paid to environmental measures such as networked energy management, rainwater recovery and the development of biodiversity. A network of footpaths will be created by the commune of Bernex to make the open and public spaces accessible to all.
    Next steps and timetable
    The project’s milestones include the communal vote on the local neighbourhood plan in Vailly on 9 June 2024, the continuation of the project procedure for the Rouettes business park and the delivery of the last residential units in the Saint-Mathieu district in 2024. Planning permission for the Boulevard des Abarois and the Caran d’Ache factory is also expected in 2024. By 2030, the various phases of the project should be completed, including the first houses at Vailly and the completion of the public facilities at the Goutte de Saint-Mathieu training centre.
    The Bernex major project is an integral urban planning project that aims to make the region a dynamic and sustainable urban crossroads. By creating new homes and jobs, promoting sustainable mobility and preserving the region’s agricultural identity, the project will make a significant contribution to the region’s economic and social development.

  • Ariane Widmer Pham talks about architectural culture and sustainable urban development in Geneva

    Ariane Widmer Pham talks about architectural culture and sustainable urban development in Geneva

    Ariane Widmer Pham is a passionate architect and urban planner who has been working for many years to promote a high-quality built environment in Switzerland. Her involvement with the Foundation for Building Culture in Switzerland is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of building culture among a wide audience – from professionals and local authorities to the business and property sectors. Ariane Widmer Pham emphasises that good urban planning, careful architecture and a high level of building culture make a decisive contribution to ensuring that people feel comfortable in their living and working environments.

    The importance of building culture
    Building culture is not something that can be taken for granted across the board, but something that people need to be aware of. Ariane Widmer Pham explains that building culture should be integrated into basic education to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of our built environment. The sense of community, the simplicity of construction and the closeness to craftsmanship, as was once the case, has been lost. Today, it is important to re-establish a relationship with materials and construction, and to promote the collective idea of the city as a shared project.

    The challenges and objectives of urban planning in Geneva
    Geneva is characterised by a very small area, which results in high urban density and a strong need for regulation. This context calls for meticulous, quality-oriented planning. Widmer Pham emphasises the need to develop projects that are sensitive to and in dialogue with the city’s heritage. Geneva was one of the first cities to be included in the Federal Inventory of Built Sites of National Importance to be Protected in Switzerland (ISOS), which has helped to reinforce quality and sensitivity with regard to urban development.

    Conurbation project and ecological transition
    The Greater Geneva Conurbation Project, launched in 2007, has made a major contribution to the coordination of transport and urban development. The development of inter-municipal sectors coordinated with transport infrastructure has proved its worth, but still faces major challenges. The vision of development that guides agglomeration projects is regularly revised to meet current requirements, such as the goal of zero net emissions.

    Participatory processes in urban planning
    Participatory approaches are an essential part of urban planning in Geneva. Since 2015, the law has stipulated that planning processes must be accompanied by consultation procedures. These procedures allow the population to share their experiences and needs, which leads to greater acceptance of projects. Widmer Pham emphasises that broad citizen participation helps to develop projects that meet the real needs of local residents.

    Future prospects and innovative approaches
    The challenges of densification and sustainable urban development in Geneva call for innovative approaches and close collaboration between different players. They require nuanced approaches to identifying and mobilising sectors with potential for change, particularly in post-war peripheral areas. This development sometimes involves an approach that can be described as “lace urbanism”, in which the solutions lie more in architecture than in planning. Ariane Widmer Pham stresses the need to approach existing buildings with sensitivity, in order to recognise and exploit their potential.
    Ariane Widmer Pham is an impressive example of how building culture and sustainable urban development go hand in hand. Her commitment and expertise are helping to ensure that Geneva continues to serve as an example of quality urban planning. Promoting a culture of building, participatory processes and innovative approaches to densification are essential elements of sustainable urban transformation that meet the needs of residents as well as the requirements of environmental protection and sustainability.