© Rudy Balasko | Stocksnap

Now in its fifth year, the Interact programme has invited researchers from UNIL and employees of the City of Lausanne to collaborate once again on shared projects. By not imposing any thematic restrictions, the 2023 round offers more freedom to the participants. Four projects won the jury’s favour and thus shared the 40,000 Swiss francs allocated to the programme.

1.     Veni, Vidy, Digi

Veni, Vidy, Digi is a project that aims to develop an interactive map model for visitors to the Roman Museum of Lausanne-Vidy. It will outline the contours of ancient Lausanne, the Lousonna. Through this digital device, the public will have access to animations, videos, archives and collections that will allow them to discover more about this iconic heritage site.

The result of the collaboration between the Roman Museum of Lausanne-Vidy and #ASAnumerica (the digital pole of the Archaeology and Ancient Sciences section of the University of Lausanne), Veni, Vidy, Digi brings together specialists in the field of archaeology, cultural mediation and heritage enhancement. Through this project, the two institutions are developing the field of cultural mediation and exploring innovative ways of engaging with the public.

2.     History of urban planning: tools and regulations, debates and actors

This research project aims to analyse the historical evolution of urban planning regulations in Lausanne during the first half of the twentieth century. Subjected to unprecedented urban transformations during the industrial era, Swiss cities progressively adopted regulatory measures: extension plans or building policies. Illustrating a conception of public space, these urban planning tools allow us to document the expansion of the city of Vaud.

The processes of analysis and exploration will take place in the form of a research seminar in the history of architecture and heritage at the University of Lausanne. Subsequently, the findings of this research will be published digitally on a website, designed as both a database and a virtual exhibition. Within the framework of this project, the collaboration between the University and the City of Lausanne offers students the opportunity to anchor their analyses in the context of comtemporary urban planning, by bringing together historical events and current issues.

3.     Captographies

The Captographies project aims to develop the network of sensors that measures and evaluates the quality of outdoor air in Lausanne. This research aims to engage the population in the collection of data, through the creation of spaces for meetings and dialogue between scientific experts, specialists from the City of Lausanne, and citizens.

The inclusion of residents in the data collection process makes it possible to establish a denser and more representative database, but also to inform and raise awareness among the population of Lausanne about air quality and its possible repercussions.

More broadly, mapping air quality will make it possible to improve Lausanne’s public policies related to the Climate Plan, the greening strategy and urban planning.

Project website: http://www.fablab-renens.ch/news/captographies/

4.     Africa Today, Tomorrow’s World

The Africa Today, Tomorrow’s World (ATW) project raises awareness of issues of integration and living together by drawing on the links between Switzerland and Africa. To do this, the project is built around two forums: a festival called Afrique en Ville (Africa in the City), which will take place on 26 August 2023 in the Parc de Valency, and an inter-faculty doctoral and citizen’s day organised at the end of 2023.

As a creator of new synergies, ATW is a place of exchange and social diversity. Through workshops and animations, ATW’s creators question Swiss-African relations and their contributions to the Swiss socio-cultural landscape. Through these activities, the project allows reflection on inclusion policies and aspires to their co-construction.

Project website: http://afriqueenville.ch/