International School of Geneva
Finalist for the region International
Green Village: a sustainability-based communal residential system
GREEN VILLAGE
OUR GOAL
Our project is centred on sustainable development goal 11: making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. We want residents in homes everywhere to be able to live sustainably.
OUR SOLUTION
We want to introduce more energyefficient homes and a community-led governing system in the neighbourhood of Paquis (Geneva, Switzerland). Green Village aims to provide a long-term, selffinancing project, serving the community on an environmental and economic scale.
FEATURES OF GREEN VILLAGE
GREEN BUILDINGS
We want to enhance pre-existing residential buildings by introducing more energy-efficient features, such as solar panels, green roofs, triple glazing, and a geothermal heating system. Some key benefits: lower energy costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, community connectedness, and energy efficiency.
MIXED-USE ZONING
With the COVID-induced economic downturn, many ground-floor spaces housing small shops have become inactive, unproductive assets. Taking advantage of the vacant space, we want to implement a mixed-use zoning approach to provide residential, recreational, and commercial spaces within one area. Examples include community canteens, ludotheques, and shared access IT centers. The result: a self-sustaining community committed to locally sourcing – and a range of services available anytime, anywhere.
MUNICIPALITY SYSTEM
The current municipality system of Switzerland, which is a series of administrative levels ranging from cantonal to communal, is a feature that aims to empower the community. Adopting this concept to the residential area, we want to give more authority to the current commune governing bodies. Each respective community has more power to act in the best interest of its residents, meaning a more sustainable environment is created for all.
G R E E N V I L L A G E : L I V I N G M A D E S U S T A I N A B L E
Their YES! topic
Toward sustainable accommodation and sustainable holiday
by Manouchehr Shokri and Anna Luthin
The world Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Sustainable tourism is defined as the complete awareness of the present and future impact of tourism the economic, social and environmental conditions in order to fulfil the necessities of tourists, the industry and communications.
Sustainable accommodation is essentially known as a hotel, inn, resort or motel that has met the prevailing regulations of environmental responsibility. This sector is responsible for 21% of the overall tourism carbon footprint, while in 2030 it is expected to account for at least 25% of all tourism-related greenhouse gas emission.
There is an interface between the accommodation sector and sustainable tourism on different scales. Initially, the location, development and design of these units; then the operational management measures; and finally, the human resource management measures taken and the meals and provisions offered in the catering units. Environmental concerns related to operational affairs have been more focused on by the accommodation industry than sustainability dimensions.
The objectives of sustainable accommodation are to cut down on waste by conducting acts of energy and water conservation, recycling and environmentally-friendly deeds.
As a result, Sustainable dimensions (environmental, socio-cultural, economic) are necessary for considering sustainable tourism and optimal sustainable accommodation:
1. Make the best use of environmental resources that account for essential components in tourism development, preserving necessary ecological processes and assisting the conservation of natural heritage and biodiversity. Toward using renewable energy, the policy of water and heating saving, usage bike and public transportation.
2. Respecting the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, while conserving their traditional values and cultural heritage, and contributing to intercultural awareness and acceptance.
3. Securing feasible long-term economic activities, providing socio-economic welfare for all organizations that are fairly allocated, including secure employment conditions, income opportunities, and social services to host communities, and playing a part in reducing poverty. Coming together into the local economy, using local labour, food and materials, and producing their own goods through accommodation establishment.
How with our behaviour could effect to a sustainable environment and what are related society sustainability dimensions?
How with our behaviour could influence to sustainable Society and what are related society sustainability dimensions?
How with our activities could help to sustainable economic and what are related to economic sustainability dimensions?
What is green-sustainable accommodation?
Why is green accommodation important?
How and why is it important for tourist accommodation to have renewable energy?
Would you consider renewable energy a reliable source of power for a hotel?
Do guests modify their daily routines whilst on holiday to comply with the host’s request to use fewer resources?
What conservation/reduction measures can be undertaken for water, waste and energy?
