WSL is planning the new inter- and transdisciplinary Research Program NOVA-City to support stakeholders in rendering urban areas more sustainable, resilient, and livable.
Swiss cities are key arenas of national development – spatially, socially, ecologically, and economically. Increasing pressure on land use, the diversity of urban stakeholders, and various challenges that interact with climate change call for integrated and cross-sectoral development approaches. Addressing these challenges requires research explicitly focused on urban systems that can support cities in developing, testing, and implementing promising solutions. NOVA-City aims to contribute to actionable solutions for fostering resilient, adaptive, and liveable urban environments.
The three cities of Winterthur, Fribourg and Sion are partner cities in the NOVA City program. Hence, the focus of the research program is on medium-sized cities with comparable dynamics in different physical contexts.
Program’s activities will start in 2027.