House of Switzerland in Milano - Sustainable Cities Day

This event, organized by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Milan together with SIA International, the international section of Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA) on 26 May 2022 will be held within the framework of the House of Switzerland (HoS) and will be dedicated to the current and relevant topic of sustainable urban development. By 2050, two thirds of humanity will live in cities. Healthy, resilient and sustainable cities are thus key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. While cities are responsible for about 75% of the global CO2 emissions, they are also actively participating in the fight against climate change, since they are particularly vulnerable to its impacts.

This day, dedicated to the theme of Sustainable Cities, will take a closer look at the power cities themselves have to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to contribute to the solution of global problems such as climate change, distribution of wealth and social inequality. The zwo panels were moderated by M. Cristina Ceresa, Director of GreenPlanner, Journalist for “IlSole24ore”.

Panel 1 “Sustainable social and economic urban development”
Panelists:
Green Obsession: Stefano Boeri, Urban Architect Sustainable urban development and the contribution of business: Anna Schindler, Director Urban Development, City of Zurich
Sustainable and social urban development: Milan, a green city, Elena Grandi, Councilor for the Environment and Green, City of Milan
Embrace Radicality”: Eric Ezechieli, co-founder of Nativa and Italian country partner of B Lab
Climate crises and cities: Gulnara Roll, Regional Advisor, Forests, Land and Housing Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (tbc)

Panel 2 “Greener, healthier and more resilient cities”
Panelists:
Sustainable Urban Development: Paola Viganò, EPFL professor (head of the Urban Planning Laboratory and Habitat research center) and at IUAV Venice
Digital management of public spaces: Alessandro Peretti Griva, Founder S4FE: How technology bridges well-being and sustainability
Smart Building: the future of building technology: Francesca Sassi, Global Marketing Manager, ABB Smart Buildings Division, Switzerland
Regeneration, Impact, Innovation – Experiments from MIND/ Milano Innovation District: Fiorenza Lipparini, Co-founder & Managing Partner PlusValue

The event was closed by Cynthia Odier, founder, Fluxum Foundation/Flux Laboratory and Melissa Ellberger in collaboration with Fluxum Foundation and Flux Laboratory (Geneva): with a performance and artistic research project in which the relationship between the body and architecture becomes a vector of reappropriation and invites a different look at urban places.

Thank to the host House of Switzerland for an inspiring event including Aperitif, Networking & Exchange and to Sibil Sträuli, Swiss architect based in Milano and comittee member of SIA International, for coontributing to the organisation of this event!