The city of Zurich is setting new standards in terms of climate protection. With the decision to establish a “net-zero pilot neighbourhood” in the Binz/Alt-Wiedikon area, the City Council is underlining its commitment to sustainable urban development. This area, which includes industrial and residential zones, was specifically selected to test a wide range of climate protection measures under real-life conditions. The neighbourhood is to become a model for environmentally conscious coexistence, with the promotion of a sense of community playing a central role. The approach that climate protection is a shared responsibility is to be reinforced by involving all residents, regardless of their origin or professional background, in the project development.
One focus of the project is on the direct participation of neighbourhood residents. They are encouraged to contribute their own suggestions for climate protection measures and actively participate in their implementation. In addition, 15 initiatives will be proposed at the start, which will be tackled immediately. These include measures to reduce waste and promote sustainable nutrition in catering establishments.
The “net zero pilot district” not only serves as a testing ground for sustainable urban development, but also as a learning environment in which the failure of projects is also seen as a valuable experience. The successful approaches have the potential to be transferred to other neighbourhoods and thus contribute to achieving the city’s climate targets.
The City Council is providing a credit of CHF 7.7 million for the realisation of this ambitious project, of which CHF 3 million is earmarked for projects from local initiatives and a further CHF 2.5 million for participatory projects. Although the proposal is widely supported, there are also critical voices calling for a more detailed concept for implementation. However, the City of Zurich’s parliament, the municipal council, voted in favour of the city council’s plans by a large majority. With this project, Zurich is emphasising its leading role in the area of climate-friendly urban development and sending out a signal about the importance of local climate protection initiatives.
Tag: Zusammenleben
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Climate-neutral showcase neighbourhood
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New forms of housing at the centre of a recent study
At a time when social interaction is increasingly coming to the fore, a new study by Dr Joëlle Zimmerli from Zimraum and Stratcraft provides valuable insights into the design of forms of living that promote social interaction. Supported by the Age Foundation, SVIT Zurich and the Swiss Real Estate Institute, the study looks at how properties need to be planned and managed in order to facilitate and encourage different types of encounters.
The study identifies and analyses three main categories of encounters: low-threshold encounters that occur spontaneously and by chance; neighbourly encounters that are facilitated by deliberate architectural decisions such as arcades or attractive open spaces; and communal encounters that are created by specially planned and managed infrastructures such as common rooms.
The decisive factor for the success of these forms of encounter is the customisation to the needs of the respective target group. The authors of the study emphasise that there is no universally best solution, but that the choice of meeting form depends on the specific expectations and needs of the residents. Building owners and developers are therefore required to clearly define the target group to be addressed and the requirements for management and social interaction in the residential projects as early as the strategic planning phase.
With this well-founded analysis, the study makes an important contribution to the discussion about the future of housing and shows how well thought-out planning and management can have a positive influence on coexistence in modern society. It provides valuable guidance for anyone working in the property sector who wants to increase the importance of social interaction and community within housing projects.