Build – and protect the climate in the process

It’s an impressive 230 hectares, but only three letters: PAV.

Over the next few decades, a new quarter will emerge in Geneva, which is sometimes referred to as the largest urban development project in Europe. PAV stands for the very central quarters Praille, Acacias and Vernets that exist today. By 2050, 12,400 apartments and 6,200 jobs are to be created here. It will be compacted and thus built higher than before.

A first 17 hectare section called “Quai-Vernets” is already being built. What is still particularly noticeable is what is missing. René Leutwyler, member of the central board of the Swiss Builders’ Association and former Geneva canton engineer, explains the empty space: “This is where the barracks of Geneva once stood. This has now been canceled. The building material behind me is processed into ecological concrete. “

The example shows: The construction industry is increasingly becoming an example of a circular economy. Concrete is particularly suitable for reuse. Another advantage: concrete buildings have a long service life. Anyone who builds compactly thinks of the ecological balance when constructing the building. Like with this mammoth project in Geneva.

But it’s not that easy everywhere. Many homeowners find it difficult to renovate. A building from the 1980s (or earlier) uses four to seven times more energy than a contemporary one. So renovations would make sense, but: The renovation rate in Switzerland is only 0.9 percent.

A few days ago, Switzerland said no to the CO₂-Law said. It is therefore all the more important to exhaust the options available in the fight against climate change. In addition to the builders, politicians are also particularly challenged.

The National Councilor Jacqueline de Quattro (FDP) was Construction and Environment Director of the Canton of Vaud for 13 years: “There is great potential for optimization in the buildings. The federal government’s Energy Strategy 2050+ provides us with the means we need to improve the numbers. “

By this she means, for example, the 24 percent of the total CO₂-Emissions in Switzerland caused by the building stock. It is true that improvements have already been achieved in the last few decades and the proportion has been reduced from a third to a quarter. Yet. In a cross-comparison: Assuming that a tree produces 10 kg of CO₂ stores, then 1.1 billion trees would be required to compensate for this 24 percent. But there are only half as many in Switzerland. An example that illustrates: Society has to act and modernize the building stock.

René Leutwyler agrees with Jacqueline de Quattro: “The leverage we have in modern buildings thanks to the energy industry, heating, water and electricity is so great. We have to exploit this potential. “

Do we need more new incentives for homeowners to do more renovations? Politicians would be called upon here. National Councilor Jacqueline de Quattro: “The biggest hurdles to a renovation are always the costs. Perhaps an investment fund is needed, as suggested by Swiss Cleantech. ” And you need compact, attractive quarters that you can identify with, she adds.

In Geneva, in a few years or decades, you will probably think of three letters when describing this: PAV.