This summer, the University of Geneva is coordinating the Jonction Living Lab. A participatory project in the heart of Geneva to combat heat islands.
With climate change, summers are getting hotter and hotter - especially in cities. The phenomenon of heat islands causes temperatures in urban areas to rise well above those in the suburbs or countryside, where building density and traffic are lower. A team from the University of Geneva has joined forces with a number of partners to experiment with new social practices to address this issue: the City of Geneva, the Caisse de prévoyance de l’état de Genève (CPEG), the Coopérative de l’habitat associatif (CODHA), as well as associations such as éco-Impact, S.T.O.R.M.E and écoJonx. Together, they will be setting up a "living laboratory" in the heart of the Jonction district over the months of July and August. This project is part of the SWICE consortium, supported in part by the SWEET program of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. It is part of a strategy to adapt to and mitigate the climate crisis.
Promoting new behaviors to cope better with the heat, spending more time outdoors in cool spaces to limit energy consumption in homes (air conditioners, fans, cooking, etc.): the Living Lab Jonction project is part of both a logic of adaptation and mitigation of the climate crisis. Drawing on two years of field data (summer 2023 and 2024) and co-creation workshops with local stakeholders, the project is generating concrete ideas and strengthening local synergies. This summer, the Jonction will become a veritable open-air testing ground.
The aim is to rethink our habits, refresh our bodies as much as our places, rediscover public space and strengthen solidarity.
Facilities installed by the city - micro-oases, misters, shade - will bring a little freshness to the residential area (esplanade du Vélodrome, parcs Gourgas and Baud-Bovy, plaine de Plainpalais, etc.). The CODHA, AIDEC (Atelier d’Initiatives et de Développement de l’Espace Constructible) and the ecoJonx association will be leading a participative worksite to create shade on the Place Artamis. Eco-Impact and S.T.O.R.M.E will be offering guided ’freshness’ walks, involving residents of CPEG buildings. MEG (Musée d’ethnographie de Genève) and the Jonction library will also be offering similar indoor and outdoor activities. The full program is available.
A map of the area will be distributed to the general public, indicating cool routes, places to go for activities and tips on how to stay warm. Thermal comfort equipment - fans, misters, etc. - will also be made available to help everyone enjoy a more pleasant summer.
Coordinated by the University of Geneva, the Jonction Living Lab proposes concrete, collective and accessible solutions for living better with heat. The aim is to rethink our habits, refresh bodies as much as places, rediscover public space and strengthen solidarity.
