Robert Bregy
R. Bregy - SUPSI for Lugano and vice versa
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Robert Bregy (born in 1975) began working for the City of Lugano at the age of 15, and from then on began his career in the city's administration, rising from Deputy Secretary in 2004 to City Secretary in 2015. He is also responsible for Lugano Living Lab (LLL) - the urban laboratory of digital-related ideas and projects - a role that earned him the title of one of the 100 most influential digital shapers in Switzerland in 2023.
At a time when sensitivity to sustainable growth is strong, municipal administrations cannot avoid collaborating with universities to apply innovative solutions and foster change. On the other hand, universities find in collaboration with the city a field of application and a privileged partner with whom to measure the success of their research. We talked about this collaboration, and how it can be strengthened, with Robert Bregy.
At a time when sensitivity to sustainable growth is strong, municipal administrations cannot avoid collaborating with universities to apply innovative solutions and foster change. On the other hand, universities find in collaboration with the city a field of application and a privileged partner with whom to measure the success of their research. We talked about this collaboration, and how it can be strengthened, with Robert Bregy.
SUPSI and the City of Lugano are collaborating on an increasing number of initiatives. How important is it for the City to contribute, also through its citizenship, to the realisation of academic research projects?
It is extremely important for the City of Lugano to contribute to the realisation of academic research projects, especially considering the goal of becoming a university city expressed in the Lugano 2030 Development Guidelines. Collaboration between SUPSI and the City therefore represents a fundamental pillar for the cultural, scientific and economic development of the region. Through this synergy, not only is innovation and technological development fostered, but also the training of new generations of highly qualified professionals. The involvement of citizens is also crucial because they not only actively support these projects, but also become an integral part of them, contributing ideas, skills and resources. Moreover, strong participation by the local community creates a sense of belonging and pride in the academic achievements of those studying in the region, reinforcing its status as a centre of excellence and increasing its attractiveness.
Together with SUPSI, the City of Lugano has developed numerous initiatives on sustainability issues at various levels. What do you think is the most important contribution that a university school such as SUPSI can make to the sustainable development of a city?
A university school like SUPSI can make several significant contributions to the sustainable development of a city like Lugano. Firstly, through applied research and the development of advanced technological solutions, SUPSI can provide local players and companies with concrete tools to improve energy efficiency, manage natural resources more sustainably and address environmental challenges. Secondly, SUPSI plays a key role in training professionals capable of tackling the challenges of sustainability. By offering specialised bachelor's and master's degree courses, SUPSI educates future leaders and experts in crucial areas such as the environment, renewable energy, sustainable urban planning, information technology and technology, as well as continuing education, such as the CAS on Smart City in which we collaborate. These trainings are essential to guide the implementation of sustainable policies and projects within the city. Furthermore, SUPSI can facilitate collaboration between different stakeholders (academia, institutions, private individuals and citizens) by facilitating the sharing of knowledge and resources; indeed, SUPSI can stimulate a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and the adoption of sustainable solutions on an urban scale.
In what areas could collaboration between the City of Lugano and SUPSI - by virtue of its areas of expertise - be strengthened?
Collaboration between the City of Lugano and SUPSI could expand in a number of crucial directions for improving the quality of urban life and promoting sustainability. Certainly, there is ample room to expand the current collaboration between the City of Lugano and SUPSI through the Lugano Living Lab, the City's urban digital innovation laboratory where a significant portion of the applied research projects currently active between the City and SUPSI are developed. In this direction, SUPSI could, for example, support the public administration in the area of data analysis, development and adoption of new technologies for urban planning and the assessment of the impact of public policies. Another direction is that of continuous training for city employees and public initiatives dedicated to raising awareness and creating participatory experiences. SUPSI could contribute with educational programmes and workshops to train municipal employees and citizens on the topics of sustainability, technological innovation and civic participation. This would not only raise awareness on environmental and social sustainability, but also encourage an active and informed citizenship, capable of actively contributing to the construction of a more resilient and future-oriented community.