Redefining Urban Thriving: Discover the Power of "Less is More" at the Sufficiency & Sustainable Living Experiment
Move beyond technological quick-fixes and discover how true sustainability starts with sufficiency. On May 7th, as part of Climate Week Zurich, join experts across academia and industry for a hands-on workshop and dialogue that reimagines urban living—proving that "less" is actually the key to an abundant, equitable, and resilient future.
When it comes to urban sustainability, the conversation is often dominated by efficiency and technological innovation. But what if the secret to a thriving city isn't just about doing things better, but simply doing enough?
On May 7, 2026, the Sustainability Innovation Lab (SIL/ITEM-HSG), in collaboration with Empa's Urban Energy Systems Laboratory and the Swiss Sufficiency Lab, is hosting the event Sufficiency & Sustainable Living: A Multistakeholder Dialogue and Future-Making Experiment. Held as part of the broader Climate Week Zurich, this dynamic evening event is designed to shift the focus from quantitative growth to qualitative abundance.
Experiencing the Future of Urban Living The event kicks off with an exclusive guided tour of Empa’s NEST innovation building, a modular hub where cutting-edge solutions for sustainable construction are actively developed and tested. This hands-on look at the future of living sets the stage for a multistakeholder dialogue circle, featuring leading voices across sectors:
- Mashael Yazdanie (Group Leader at Empa’s Urban Energy Systems Laboratory & President of the Swiss Sufficiency Lab)
- Anna Sophia Burch (Doctoral Researcher & Activist at the University of St. Gallen)
- Monica Barroso (Partner at the University of St. Gallen)
From Concept to Concrete Action Following the dialogue, attendees will roll up their sleeves for a Future-Making Workshop. This interactive session invites participants from all sectors to identify systemic leverage points and imagine how everyday practices, rules, and urban values must evolve.
The goal isn't just to talk about sustainability; it's to help participants fundamentally reframe their relationship with it. By the end of the evening, attendees will leave equipped to:
- Fall in love with a "sufficient" future where less truly means more.
- Understand that sufficiency emphasizes thriving and quality of life over constraint.
- Identify tangible actions and find cross-sector allies to champion these ideas within their own organizations and communities.
The evening will conclude with a networking apéro, giving participants the chance to connect with potential allies and co-creators.
Event Details at a Glance:
- Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
- Time: 17:30 - 20:30 (GMT+2)
- Target Audience: Open to all sectors
- Registration: Link to Register
