ETH Forum Wohnungsbau 2024

Friday, 24. May 2024, 9 am - 4 pm | ETH Zurich, Zentrum (main building), Auditorium Maximum HG F 30 (in German)

Graphic of a 10-Minutes-Neighbourhood. Illustrated by Justine Klaiber, Team Tumult
ETH Forum Wohnungsbau «MEHR WOHNRAUM IN STÄDTEN – Wie gelingt die innere Verdichtung?». Graphic «10-Minutes-Neighbourhood» illustrated by Justine Klaiber, Team Tumult

MORE HOUSING IN CITIES – How to achieve urban densification?

We all desire a good home. However, finding an apartment is becoming increasingly challenging, especially in urban centres with numerous employment and leisure opportunities. The living space is increasingly scarce, and the number of affordable housing units is steadily decreasing. The consequences include gentrification, increasing urban sprawl, overcrowded trains, traffic congested streets, and excessive greenhouse gas emissions. Switzerland’s population is projected reach 10.5 million people by 2050, which calls for the need to finding sustainable ways for urban densification.

The 18th ETH Forum Wohnungsbau conference provided a platform for discussing pressing questions of our time: What challenges currently need to be addressed in spatial planning, and where are the deficits? Why is creating living space in urban communities of large and medium-sized agglomerations so difficult? Is the implementation of legal requirements unrealistic? How can the demanded urban densification be successfully implemented, addressing concerns about displacement, excessive density, and urban sprawl?

The ETH Forum Wohnungsbau 2024 focused on our future living spaces. Under the title ‘MORE HOUSING IN CITIES,’ experts discussed the opportunities and challenges related to housing and spatial planning in rapidly growing communities. Representatives from local governments, real estate experts, academics, and architects addressed the question ‘How to achieve urban densification?’ by sharing their expertise and presenting solutions.

 

Download program (PDF, 330 KB) | video recordings

Programme

Prof. Dr. Elli Mosayebi, Direktorium ETH Wohnforum, Professorin für Architektur und Entwurf, ETH Zürich

Prof. Dr. Elli Mosayebi, Board of Directors ETH Wohnforum, Professor of Architecture and Design, ETH Zurich

video recording

Dr. Jennifer Duyne Barenstein, Leiterin ETH Wohnforum & ETH MAS in Housing, ETH Zürich

Dr. Jennifer Duyne Barenstein, Executive Director ETH Wohnforum & ETH MAS in Housing, ETH Zurich

video recording

r. Sibylle Wälty, ETH Wohnforum, Dozentin für Raumentwicklung, ETH Zürich & CEO Resilientsy

10-​Minute-Neighbourhood as the key to sustainable spatial development

Spatial planning should promote inward settlement development. Instead, urban sprawl, social segregation and car traffic are the result. The concept of 10-minute neighbourhoods, on the other hand, enables socially, ecologically and economically sustainable spatial developments.

Dr. Sibylle Wälty, ETH Wohnforum, Lecturer for spatial development, ETH Zurich & CEO Resilientsy

video recording

Ariane Widmer Pham, Kantonsplanerin, Amt für Stadtplanung, Kanton Genf

The Swiss City, more dense and lively

Using the example of the approach «Une vision territoriale transfrontalière à l'horizon 2050 pour le Grand Genève», Ariane Widmer Pham illustrates how population growth can be controlled through inner-city development and how Geneva's housing policy regulates these processes.

Ariane Widmer Pham, Cantonal planner, Office for Urban Planning, Canton of Geneva

video recording

Niels Lehmann, Geschäftsleitung DXMA, Immobilienentwicklung, Zürich

Ideal or Triage

As early as 1927, Kurt Tucholsky amused himself with «The Ideal» about the doomed aspirations of big city society – a parable about the conflicting goals of our time. We, too, have to learn to triage our ambitions.

Niels Lehmann, CEO DXMA, Real estate development, Zurich

video recording

 

Podium Discussion I 

How do we create more living space? The plenary discussion delves into the key note presentations with a focus on how urban densification can be successfully implemented from the perspective of authorities and the real estate industry.
 

  • Ariane Widmer Pham, Cantonal Planer, Office for Urban Planning, Canton of Geneva
  • Niels Lehmann, CEO DXMA, Real estate development, Zurich
  • Prof Dr. David Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Spatial Development and Urban Policy (SPUR), Head of NSL - Network City and Landscape, ETH Zurich
  • Thomas Padmanabhan, Dipl.-Ing. Arch. M. Arch.
     Owner Lütjens Padmanabhan Architekt*innen, Guest professorship ETH Zurich

    video recording
Patti Basler am Mikrofon

Instant protocol

Patti Basler, Cabaret artist and author

Prof. Dr. Christian Hilber

The economic impact of different spatial planning and tax systems

The spatial planning and tax systems in Switzerland and England and the associated economic effects could not be more different. England is struggling with an unprecedented housing shortage, Switzerland – so far – mainly with urban sprawl.

Prof. Dr. Christian Hilber, Professor of Economic Geography, Urban and Property Economist, LSE – London School of Economics and Political Science

video recording

Sarah Barth

Where, how and with whom would you like to live?

The housing shortage in cities is both an old and current issue. Accordingly, there have been numerous solutions over time. In her input, Sarah Barth talks about the topic of densification in urban areas using current buildings and historical concepts.

Sarah Barth, Architect, Owner Atelier für Architektologie, Founding member Countdown 2030

video recording

 

Podium Discussion II

Taking into account the presented scientific and architectural perspectives, we move into the second discussion round. What are the crucial factors that play a role in the successful implementation of urban densification?

  • Prof. Dr. Christian Hilber | Professor of Economic Geography, Urban and Property Economist, LSE – London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Sarah Barth | Architect, Owner Atelier für Architektologie, Founding member Countdown 2030
  • Gabriela Barman | City Architect / Head of Urban Development and Planning Department, City of Zug
  • Doris Sutter | President GWG Gemeinnützige Wohnbaugenossenschaft Winterthur

    video recording
Prof. Maria Conen

Prof. Maria Conen, Board of Directors ETH Wohnforum, Professor of Architecture and Design, ETH Zurich

video recording

 

Patti Basler am Mikrofon

Instant protocol

Patti Basler, Cabaret artist and author

Exhibition
«10-Minuten-Nachbarschaften» 

We can all get involved in spatial planning and demand changes in favour of sustainable spatial development. The poster exhibition «10-Minuten-Nachbarschaften» presents the concept of such neighbourhoods. It is part of the travelling exhibition of the same name, which can be seen at several locations in Switzerland this year.

ETH Zurich, Exhibition
30. April – 16. May 2024, Hönggerberg, HIL D Foyer
17. May – 30. May 2024, ETH Zentrum, HG E 4

ETH Zurich, Public Tour
«10-Minuten-Nachbarschaften. Eine Tour rund um den Idaplatz»
Tue, 24. September 2024, 18.15 pm – 19.15 pm
Registration

More information about the exhibition and the accompanying events at: external page www.10-minuten-nachbarschaften.ch
Project: Proximity is the future: Jeder Beitrag zählt!, SNF Agora.

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We thank you for your interest and are at your disposal for any questions.

ETH Wohnforum – ETH CASE

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