November 15, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread by Sarah Perrin, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne Curbing new-build construction, renovating existing buildings at pace and rethinking how we use them: according to Philippe Thalmann, an urban and environmental economics professor at EPFL, these are the steps we'll need to take to both meet climate targets and accommodate an ever-growing population. How can we make sure everyone has a decent roof over their head in the future? This question is more pressing than ever given the demographic, economic, climate and environmental challenges we face.
Addressing them will require fundamental shifts in just about every sector of the economy, including construction. Our living habits will need to adapt, too. Switzerland's population is forecast to keep growing and reach 10 million by 2050, up from 9 million today.
It's also predicted to get older, with the number of people aged 80 and over to double from current levels. Tomorrow's homes will need to be designed with these trends in mind. And they'll need to help meet the net-zero target for 2050 set by the Swiss government and approved by voters in June 2023.
"The only way to achieve this target is to drastically curb the construction of new buildings and redirect the industry's workforce toward.
