Climate change in Switzerland: Why we must build differently today
Climate change has long since arrived in Switzerland. A clear sign of this is the increase in heat days, which are occurring more and more frequently in both cities and the countryside. Experts warn that Switzerland must prepare for significantly hotter summers.
In this context, climate researcher Reto Knutti emphasizes an important problem: many buildings in Switzerland are not planned for the climatic conditions of the future. He criticizes the fact that we often still build today as if the climate would remain as stable as it was in the past.
Rising temperatures mean that heatwaves are not only becoming more frequent, but also longer and more intense. This poses major challenges, particularly for architecture and urban planning. Buildings must be designed in such a way that they remain cool even in extreme heat, without the need for energy-intensive air conditioning everywhere.
To maintain the quality of life in Swiss cities, a rethink is required. Experts are calling for more green spaces, better ventilation of neighborhoods, and the use of materials that store less heat. Only in this way can the built environment be adapted to the new climatic realities.
In summary, protection against heat will be a central component of construction in Switzerland in the future. Adapting infrastructure is necessary to protect the health of the population in the long term and to successfully counter rising temperatures.