2023 | DIZH – Digitalisierungsinitiative der Zürcher Hochschulen

Net Zero 2040: a VR visualization

How will the city of Zurich achieve its net zero target by 2040? What does a liveable city look like? The "Shape Your City" project offers the public the opportunity to redesign urban spaces, such as squares, traffic situations and park areas, using a virtual reality (VR) application. Participants can experience the effects of these redesigns virtually. By experiencing car-free or reduced-car streets, improved cycling and walking conditions, and new green spaces, participants will become aware of the possibilities and challenges of ecological and inclusive urban development. 

Making urban development tangible

The project makes complex urban development topics accessible. Thanks to its immersive nature, the content is conveyed not only verbally, but also through the senses. This form of science communication promotes a deeper understanding of changes in urban planning and increases acceptance of necessary interventions. 

What is the result? 

One important result is that the population becomes more aware of the diverse challenges of urban development. These challenges should be made as understandable as the opportunities offered by a redesigned city. In addition to raising awareness, the VR tool should facilitate and, in the long term, initiate participatory design processes.