Sustainability Futures in Zurich

🌟 Delighted about the first Sustainability Futures Thinking workshop! 🚀 The team delved into the realm of sustainability transformations in the city of Zurich 🏙️ and gathered signals of change impacting the near future.💡

Some of the signals we gathered today include:

+ Going Green with To-Go Coffee: Vicafé's Clay Cup Strategy, source: https://lnkd.in/dbsGYuud

+ New sensors by ETH can generate energy from sound waves, source: https://lnkd.in/dV7rAfnC

+ Microorganisms are used to ferment alternative proteins, source: https://lnkd.in/dxJMtzZU

+ Zurich's efforts to reduce CO2 Through dietary guidance face backlash, source: https://lnkd.in/djvNdAb3

+ A protein fibril sponge derived from whey, a food industry byproduct, helps extract gold from electronic waste, source: https://lnkd.in/dPAhydGr

We also reviewed Roland Berger Trends Compendium 2050, mapping out global transformations across key sectors, see >> https://lnkd.in/dwQ5nsKJ. 🌐📈

Huge thanks to all participants for their valuable contributions! 🙌 Can't wait for our next sessions as we continue to envision sustainability scenarios for Zurich's future. 🌱#FuturesThinking #Sustainability #ZurichFuture #Zurich #Switzerland Viola Sophia Schwarz, Karl der Grosse - das Debattierhaus

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✨Glad to follow up on the future sustainability scenarios in Zurich, focusing on trends that influence the direction of those potential realities. I found the following insights quite interesting:

⚡ According to the IMD Smart City Index 2024: Residents in the city of Zurich see a priority in finding affordable housing, addressing road congestion, and managing air pollution. At the same time, the perception of governance, corruption, and public participation is less favorable. Other priority topics are unemployment, security, green spaces, fulfilling employment, health services, public transport, social mobility, and recycling. Source: https://lnkd.in/dChACAnG

⚡In an interview, Dr. Miriam Meuth highlights that the housing crisis isn't just about building more homes, as new developments can displace vulnerable populations. She emphasizes that housing should address more than physical needs, incorporating emotional, social, and cultural dimensions. Gentrification often displaces lower-income groups, increasing social inequality. Meuth suggests solutions like promoting affordable housing, reducing per capita space, and addressing socio-economic factors. She advocates for socially sustainable practices in urban development, ensuring affordable housing remains post-renovation. Non-profit developers and stricter municipal regulations could help prevent displacement, especially in rural or tourist areas where affordable housing is scarce. Source: https://lnkd.in/dtJphXSw

⚡The city of Zurich, which is ranked #1 in the IMD Smart City Index, emphasizes the need for a long-term & comprehensive view of solutions that ensure competitiveness and openness to the globalized economy. In this context, Deloitte's publication "Power up Switzerland" recommends finding strategic approaches to reducing barriers to entrepreneurship & innovation, addressing labor and skills shortages, and establishing a strategy to position Switzerland as a sustainability hub. Source: https://lnkd.in/djkxtQAa

I look forward to exploring these concepts further in the next workshops and identifying innovative and sustainable solutions that boost competitiveness and contribute to Zurich's continued high living standards. Join me in the next sessions at Karl der Grosse - das Debattierhaus. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/dNGEkkFS

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🌍Addressing Urban Housing Challenges: Global Insights and DeepTech Innovations🏠

Happy to share an overview of insights gathered today at the futures thinking workshop "Shaping Zurich’s Green Future" at Karl der Grosse - das Debattierhaus.

To tackle housing issues effectively, cities worldwide are implementing a range of solutions that can inspire us. Here are key trends/strategies and DeepTech innovations making an impact (aggregated by ChatGPT):

Expanding Housing Supply:

- High-density, mixed-use developments🌆

- Modular and prefabricated housing 🏗️

Reducing Construction Costs:

- Advanced construction technologies like 3D printing 🚀

- Tax incentives for affordable housing 💡

Improving Regulatory Processes:

- Streamlined permitting and flexible zoning📜

Mitigating High-Income Impact:

- Regulation of short-term rentals and taxes on speculative investments🔍

Enhancing Affordability & Accessibility:

- Subsidized housing programs and improved public transportation 🚇

DeepTech Solutions:

- AI-Driven Urban Planning: Optimizes land use and design 🤖

- Blockchain for Transparent Transactions: Enhances real estate transparency ⛓

Find further details on the SparkX Newsletter edition 28, W37: https://lnkd.in/dzKUXbyr

🚀 Key Signals of Change:

1. Culinary Innovation: The Ayverdi Brothers transformed kebab culture, shifting perceptions and elevating local food experiences. Source: https://lnkd.in/dPUa34YB.

2. Affordable Housing: With the appointment of Philippe Koch as Zurich's first Delegate for Housing, there's a proactive push to increase non-profit housing. Source: https://lnkd.in/d6zS6Zuj.

3. E-Bike City Vision: ETH Zürich's proposal to reallocate 50% of street space to pedestrians, cyclists, and e-bikers represents a significant shift towards sustainable urban mobility. Source: https://lnkd.in/dYQKZCuJ.

4. Suburban Renaissance: Dübendorf is challenging traditional views of suburbia, evolving into a vibrant urban hub. Source: https://lnkd.in/dUDvtYKG.

Find further details on the SparkX Newsletter edition 29, W38.

🌍 Key signals of change identified at today's workshop:

1. Überlandpark: A groundbreaking initiative atop the Schwamendingen motorway tunnel, this park aims to unite the neighborhood while enhancing biodiversity. It features low-maintenance plants, playgrounds, bike paths, and a pavilion. Set for completion in May 2025, it marks a shift towards multifunctional urban spaces that prioritize environmental well-being. Source: https://lnkd.in/d5Z5JfrM.

2. Üetlihof Transformation: The former Credit Suisse office complex is being repurposed into a cooperative living environment for 5,500 residents. This innovative project emphasizes community engagement and urban farming, redefining the area from commercial office space to a vibrant, self-contained urban community. Source: https://lnkd.in/daaKK6hg.

3. Digital Senior Apartments: The City of Zurich is leading a digital aging initiative, promoting independent living for older adults through technology. This project aims to integrate smart solutions into homes, enhancing safety and comfort, and fostering community engagement among seniors. Source: https://lnkd.in/dYY6qnNP.

4. Self-Organized Housing: A new initiative in Winterthur showcases seniors developing a communal living project, focusing on collaboration and mutual support. This shift from isolation to community living highlights the changing face of aging. Source: https://lnkd.in/dVhcYdur.