Balancing Densification and Thermal Resilience: Urban Policy Gaps and Mitigation Strategies in Switzerland

Inward urban development through densification has been widely promoted as a strategy to prevent urban sprawl, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and preserve natural environments. However, densification can exacerbate local microclimatic challenges, increasing urban heat island intensity (UHII), heat vulnerability, and cooling energy demand—challenges that will become more critical in the context of future climate warming. In Switzerland, densification has been prioritised and mandated at multiple levels of urban governance, from the federal government to cantonal and municipal authorities. This study investigates whether densification and thermal resilience can coexist within urban development policies and strategies.

Using a mixed-method approach, the study combines a review of urban policies and regulations, a field survey assessing residents’ long-term thermal perceptions and concerns about densification, and an analysis of densification’s impact on UHII, outdoor thermal comfort, and heat vulnerability. The research focuses on Jonction, a dense urban district in Geneva, Switzerland. Findings reveal significant gaps in Swiss urban policy regarding the trade-offs between densification and climate resilience. In 2024, local residents reported high levels of thermal discomfort, attributing it to heat-absorbing materials, traffic pollution, and insufficient green space. The study evaluates the effectiveness of potential mitigation strategies under future climate scenarios while maintaining urban density. The results provide implementable recommendations for addressing urban overheating challenges in the context of urban compaction, offering insights for Switzerland and beyond.