PACA Rhône
The net-zero target for 2050 is enshrined in Swiss law (referendum of 18 June 2023). In future-oriented urban development visions (such as agglomeration programmes or municipal development concepts), the year 2050 is often and deliberately taken as a reference point. However, the net-zero objective is rarely addressed. The project “Vision Territoire Transfrontalier 2050” for the Geneva agglomeration is a notable exception.
What does net-zero mean for a dynamic urban region (with projected growth of 400’000 new inhabitants by 2050)? What kind of transport systems are needed, is greenfield development still acceptable, and what role do water spaces play in the context of climate change? Joint development by experts and local policymakers provides entirely new insights and solutions for planning, construction, and mobility.
For the PACA Rhône, the focus is on structuring through catchment areas. Small neighbourhood-based regions are emerging, largely autonomous and very diverse. Their structure is shaped by a closely interconnected green-blue infrastructure, including water bodies, forests, and ecological corridors. In terms of broader connectivity, rail plays a central role as a space-efficient, fast, effective, and high-capacity transport system. The existing network already offers many possibilities, with only a few new elements needed. Cycling, trams, and buses have a local function and serve as feeders to the rail system.
Train Station District, Biel