Key Takeaways from the Future Cities Laboratory Global Conference

Hosted by ETH Zurich, the conference focused on how scientific progress and innovation could contribute to sustainable urban development of future cities, and shared results of ongoing applied research in the areas of urban design, energy and mobility, building circularity, ecological and food systems.

Envisioning Future of Cities
Hugh spoke on Singapore’s continuing transformation; he emphasised the need for a balanced approach in achieving liveability in future cities, supported by ongoing research and the use of evidence-based “Science of Cities” methods to tackle complex challenges, such as adapting to urban heat island effect and rising sea level. He also shared how this approach could guide the transition to green mobility and the equitable allocation of green spaces.

Hugh was also part of a panel of speakers, where he highlighted key considerations for future cities - including emerging trends and challenges, such as rapid urbanisation of the global south, disruption of food and material supply chain, climate change and potential social fault lines from the competition for land and resources. Despite the shifts and cliffs foretold by the scientific community, he stressed the value of urban governance, including a culture of integrity, rule of law and good community engagement to enable cities to be more resilient.

Fostering Collaborative Ecosystem through Research
On the sidelines of the conference, the CLC delegation met with Professor Christoph Hoelscher, Professor Renate Schubert and Dr Jonas Joerin, from the ETH Future Resilient Systems team, to discuss ongoing research collaborations on social and behavioral science.

CLC also visited the EMPA-NEST modular research and innovation building, hosted Professor Arno Schlueter, who had given a public lecture organised by CLC in September. The plugged-in research units showcased advanced building technology innovations for energy/material efficiency, such as flexible cable-net formwork and 3-D printing, adaptive solar façade, and apartment units that could be almost completely disassembled and re-configured. NEST also provides a platform for joint research collaboration and knowledge transfer with research institutes and companies, and across the entire built environment value chain to lower the barrier for adoption.

Visit to the 2000-Watt Society Initiative

Additionally, CLC visited the Forum Chriesbach building and Hunziker Areal together with colleagues from the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the National Parks Board and the National Research Foundation, Singapore, guided by CLC Knowledge Council Member Professor Alexander Zehnder.

Forum Chriesbach, the headquarters of the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), is known as a trailblazing office building project proving the feasibility of a 2000-Watt society vision. Built in 2006, it has achieved 500-Watt energy usage per occupant through design of louvres surrounding the building envelope, air handling and underground heat exchange systems to keep the building cool in summer; and selection of low carbon footprint material with superior insulation properties to minimise heating requirement in winter. Professor Zehnder, who was director of Eawag at the time of development, pointed out that Forum Chriesbach considered scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon long before they became mainstream concepts, and the design principles and approaches aimed at drastically cutting energy demand remain relevant today.

Hunziker Areal is a pioneering district developed by housing cooperative “Mehr als Wohnen” (More Than Living). It showcases how the shared vision of a “2000-watt society” translates to district planning, housing design and estate management, enabling more environmental-conscious social norms and lifestyle patterns. The cooperative created a new funding and development model based on affordable membership fees and stable rental charges, under conditions such as 35sqm per person as a cap; shared living rooms, kitchens and washing rooms, self-managed communal spaces and limited parking lots. The district also led to the softening of certain rules by the government, such as sharing of renewable energy generated on-site between different buildings within the district (compared to selling excess energy back to the grid). This allowed the housing cooperative to achieve early Return on Investment (ROI) of rooftop solar system from energy savings.

Author’s Bio

Deng Mao
Senior Assistant Director
Centre for Liveable Cities

Deng Mao is a researcher with the Centre for Liveable Cities, where he leads research projects on sustainability, climate resilience and nature-based solutions. His current research focus aims to translate the regenerative development concept into planning strategies and measurable targets in carbon abatement and ecosystem values, to enhance the net-zero transition of the built environment.