“From park to park”: micro-oases to keep cool in the city during the summer

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Initiated by the General Health Directorate, the “From park to park” pilot project is implemented in collaboration with the City of Geneva and other cantonal services. It aims to protect senior citizens from heat stroke while encouraging exercise and fostering social ties, which can easily be lost when staying at home.

The five micro-oases are primarily intended for senior citizens, although the population as a whole is welcome to make use of them.

Older people have a reduced capacity for adapting to heat, which can lead to serious health problems. In light of this, the Cantonal Doctor’s Service would, in the past, advise them to stay at home in the event of a heatwave.

While this advice ensured that they would avoid exposure to extreme heat, it had the accompanying disadvantage of causing numerous people to become socially isolated because they no longer took advantage of the shaded areas in public parks.

New approach

Thanks to the micro-oases, the “From park to park” pilot project has introduced a new approach to promoting health and prevention. It changes the relations that senior citizens have with public areas by offering an alternative that is beneficial to both their physical and mental health.

The initiative is in line with the cantonal health prevention and health promotion concept 2030. It is also one of the 20 immediate actions identified by the Executive Council of the City of Geneva within the scope of the municipal climate strategy.

Furthermore, it complements the heatwave plan implemented each year by the City of Geneva to protect people over the age of 75.

Come and try the micro-oases for yourself

The micro-oases are located in the district of les Pâquis, on Rue de Zurich (in front of the school), on Rue du Môle (in front of the library) and on Place de Chateaubriand. Place de Saint-Gervais will be home to two such facilities.

A simpler misting system is fastened directly to the benches on Rue de la Terrassière (in front of the Résidence Terrassière medico-welfare centre). Take the chance to test all these facilities during the summer!

The project partners

The following services of the State and City of Geneva are involved in this project:

• Cantonal Doctor’s Service, Department of Health, Safety and the Population of the State of Geneva
• Cantonal Sustainable Development Service, Territorial Department of the State of Geneva
• Cantonal Office of Agriculture and Nature, Territorial Department of the State of Geneva
• Urban Development, Civil Engineering and Mobility Service, Department of Urban Development, Constructions and Mobility of the City of Geneva
• Social Service, Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity of the City of Geneva
• Haute école du paysage, d'ingénierie et d'architecture de Genève (HEPIA)

For additional information

• The Genève-Environnement-Qualité de vie (GE-EN-VIE) website provides additional information.
• For any questions relating to urban planning and furniture: Ms Frédérique Perler, Executive Councillor responsible for urban development, constructions and mobility, through the intermediary of Mr Marc Moulin, personal assistant, tel. 022 418 20 17.
• Pour For any questions relating to social issues and senior citizens, Ms Christina Kitsos, Executive Councillor responsible for social cohesion and solidarity, through the intermediary of Ms Manuelle Pasquali, personal assistant, tel. 079 446 40 13.