News
Can cities go green without gentrification?
More trees, cooler streets and energy-efficient buildings make cities more liveable but also more expensive, especially squeezing people on low incomes. That’s why climate action and socially just urban development need to go hand in hand, argues urban researcher David Kaufmann.
Expert survey on existing building stock conversion
As part of the SFOE-funded project Policy4Rebuild, SPUR , together with Intep, has launched a Swiss-wide expert survey on measures to promote existing building stock conversion in Switzerland.
David Kaufmann appointed Professor of Spatial Development and Urban Policy
At its meeting on 4 and 5 March 2026 and upon application of Joël Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed twelve professors, including Professor David Kaufmann. He was promoted to Associate Professor of Spatial Development and Urban Policy and is based at the Institute for Spatial and Landscape Development in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering.
The interactive tool "systemrelevant!" is online
The online tool allows users to accompany four essential workers in their everyday lives in the city of Zurich during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, it amplifies the voices of everyday heroes who are often unheard.
Dr. Li Wan joins SPUR as a Visiting Professor
Dr. Li Wan joins SPUR as a Visiting Professor from January to April 2026, collaborating with Dr. David Kaufmann on a comparative study on Urban Densification and Transport Decarbonization.