Leveraging wellbeing to accelerate low energy demand transformation

This presentation builds on the SWICE project and the Systems perspectives on housing paper (Nick, 2024), developing a 20-year transition pathway for Switzerland’s built environment towards sufficiency and wellbeing. We combine three optimization algorithms to integrate building renovation, service reallocation, and accessibility, supporting democratic decision-making for spatial transformation. Building on two workshops and the upcoming ACA Geneva session (01.11), we introduce the concept of 8-minute cities—a more ambitious evolution of the 15-minute city. These compact, service-rich neighborhoods can cut transport energy by up to 97%, enhance wellbeing through shared spaces and local participation, and provide a tangible framework for inclusive, sustainable urban futures.