Media

Alone at the restaurant

Published:05.11.25 — Le Temps explores the rise of ‘self-dating’ and solo outings, a societal trend where chosen solitude becomes a symbol of autonomy and well-being rather than isolation. Luca Pattaroni, professor at the Urban Sociology Laboratory, is interviewed.

The echoes of eco-neighborhoods

Published:05.11.25 — A study by EPFL’s Urban Sociology Laboratory on three of Geneva’s eco-neighborhoods shows that residents are largely satisfied with their quality of life — even if some raise concerns about the aesthetics, social mix, and lack of local shops.

Rethinking mobility

Published:10.10.25 — Sustainable mobility development and changing transportation practices in urban centers have been crucial issues for years and are now more urgent than ever. Climate change acceleration, urban growth, and diversified transportation options have made addressing these topics essential. Vincent Kaufmann, professor at the Laboratory of Urban Sociology, shares his analysis and perspectives on these critical challenges.

Reckless Drivers: How to Improve Public Space Safety?

Published:05.11.25 — Two weeks ago, a driver forced his way through a crowd of protesters in Lausanne, putting demonstrators at risk. This incident renews concerns about public space safety. Pascal Viot, lecturer at the Urban Sociology Laboratory, was interviewed by "Le Matin Dimanche" about this issue.

The troubled future of electromobility

Published:05.11.25 — After a spectacular start, electric mobility is losing momentum in Switzerland. Whether ideological, technical, or financial, obstacles abound. According to Vincent Kaufmann, professor at the Laboratory of Urban Sociology, “the transition also depends on political decisions.”

Walk along the Lignon

Published:20.08.25 — During a walk through her Geneva neighborhood of Lignon, Nerea Viana Alzola, an intern at the Urban Sociology Laboratory, explores the rich memories, stories and connections that form the soul of this iconic city.

Risk management at Paléo: visit to the control center

Published:05.11.25 — Pascal Viot, from the Urban Sociology Laboratory, coordinates hospitality and security at the Paléo Festival in Nyon. In this context, "RTS" visited the Central, a true control tower that manages the event's security. This year, innovation takes center stage as the EPFL startup Technis contributes valuable AI technology for crowd counting.

Risk management at Paléo: Weather as a factor of incertainty

Published:20.08.25 — Pascal Viot, lecturer at the Urban Sociology Laboratory, coordinates hospitality and security at the Paléo Festival in Nyon. He explains how to manage risks, particularly the vagaries of the weather, at a festival that attracts 50,000 people every evening.

Neighbors' Day in question

Published:26.05.25 — “Le Temps” takes advantage of today's Neighbors' Day to question the tensions and inequalities that run through neighborhood relations. Maxime Felder, a collaborator at the Laboratoire of Urban Sociology, believes that “it doesn't solve much, since it's often attended by people who already know each other and feel at ease”.

Managing festival insecurity

Published:08.05.25 — According to Pascal Viot, lecturer at the Laboratory of urban sociology, the 15,000 sexual assaults anticipated at Eurovision are an indicative estimate, not a prediction. It aims to make visible a risk that is often under-reported. Swiss festivals such as Montreux Jazz and Paléo have been developing comprehensive prevention and support systems for several years now.