(Y)our City

The TdLab at ETH Zurich launched a research project in collaboration with the city administration, the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the Paititi-Lab in order to clarify the following questions through dialogue with the population:

1. what are the interests and needs of the neighbourhood residents in regards to environmental issues?
2. how do the interests and needs differ according to age, origin or gender?
3. what is to change in concrete terms, what is necessary and who can provide support?

We used a transdisciplinary approach to ensure the active participation of citizens throughout the different phases of the project and in the formulation of recommendations. Qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis were deployed to answer questions 1 and 2, while for question 3 methods of artistic expression and participatory design were included.

The project started with the two neighbourhoods Wiedikon (district 3) and Hottingen (district 7) and offered many opportunities for exchange and collaborative design. The focus was on urban development-related aspects of environmental issues, life quality and social diversity.