Mission
The House of sustainability is a place of education and promotion of the culture of sustainable development in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, where it is possible to study and meet with the local area, to dialogue with experts from various fields in order to reflect on how to create 'a well-functioning society' capable of improving the living conditions of its citizens without compromising the lives of future generations.
The House of sustainability's educational and training activities are intended for the entire USI community (students, academic and administrative staff), as well as for schools, groups, organisations and companies wishing to explore sustainability issues in greater depth. Thanks to a programme of cultural activities, the House is also open to the public.
With this project, the Università della Svizzera italiana intends to play its indispensable role in raising awareness on the issue of sustainable development, with an innovative educational proposal that aims to begin with an encounter with the Alpine region. The Alps, and in particular the St. Gotthard region, are a privileged laboratory for observing and touching some of the great challenges of our time such as climate change, the protection of biodiversity, energy production, transport, tourism, etc.
Sustainable development has become an inalienable vision for every sector of society and must become an opportunity for reflection and education for all under every aspect: political, social, economic, scientific, and ethical.
The main activities within the House of sustainability are:
Alpine Seminar for USI students
The main vocation of the House of sustainability is to welcome all USI Bachelor students to an Alpine seminar. An innovative training course combining theory and practical experience in the alpine territory of the precious Gotthard region. A two-and-a-half-day course offered as part of the university programmes, its aim is to foster a culture of sustainable development and to promote attitudes, strategies and lifestyles that are useful for the future of our planet. Each year, 20-30 interdisciplinary courses are offered from which students from the six faculties can choose. Each course includes field trips and meetings with experts from various fields according to the topics addressed, participatory activities and group work.
Training courses for schools, groups, organisations, and companies
The House of sustainability also organises activities and education on sustainable development for schools, institutes, associations, or companies that wish to deepen their knowledge on the topic. For more information please write to [email protected].
Activities for schools are offered in collaboration with L’ideatorio USI.
Cultural events and planetarium
The House of sustainability in collaboration with L’ideatorio USI., proposes a programme of initiatives (e.g. events, conferences, debates, commented films, participatory projects, etc.) to foster dialogue between science and society on sustainable development issues.
The building also houses a new, modern astronomical planetarium with 23 seats. A tool for the public and schools to understand the fragility of our planet Earth. The shows and animations are curated by L'ideatorio. For more information, please write to [email protected].
The activities are promoted with the support of the Science et Cité Foundation, the competence centre of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, of which L’ideatorio is the regional antenna.
Sports activities for USI community
During the times not occupied by seminars, the House of sustainability serves as a base for the sports activities of USI Sports Service, given the many possibilities offered by the region (e.g. climbing courses, skiing, MTB excursions, trekking, etc.).
The value of the alpine region
If, in the last century, the countries bordering the Alps considered mountain regions to be “problem areas”, incapable of keeping pace with progress and modernity, increasingly, in recent years, the Alps have emerged as spaces of innovation where new strategies, capable of responding to today's environmental problems as well as shaping new models of economic and social development, take shape and are being tested. Today, the Alps are seen as a place where historical and cultural heritage coexist, but capable of dialogue with contemporary challenges. Already years ago, the historian J.-F. Bergier, invited us to consider the Alps as a “living space” - and not only as a “crossing space” - i.e. a territory that over the centuries has been able to express social and economic models and a civilisation based on a close and original dialogue between man and the environment.
The Gotthard region
The Gotthard region is a privileged observatory for major topical issues. Glaciers are retreating at an unprecedented rate, the energy issue is emerging in an area marked by high voltage lines, dams or wind turbines; the rich biodiversity is in decline even in unique places such as the Piora area; tourism is looking for new models of development and use of the mountains both because of climate change and to develop sustainable models; transport and mobility in the future will be called upon to meet new needs. Also marking the valley is the management of natural risks. In 2018, UNESCO inscribed avalanche risk management on the list of the intangible cultural heritage of mankind, and Airolo as well as the Bedretto valley offer multiple examples of this. In these transformations, there is a complex interweaving of past, present, and future involving traditions, technological development, or demographic changes. Situated at the foot of the Gotthard, Airolo is one of the most important Alpine passes for traffic between the north and south of the European continent. But in addition to its history, Airolo is a region ever developing. New projects capable of redesigning the territory and the quality of life are currently underway, such as the important redevelopment of the valley floor following the construction of the new Gotthard motorway tunnel. In this perspective, this region represents a unique place where students and researchers will have the opportunity to analyse, experiment and interpret models (and practices) of sustainable development.
