Exploring Innovative Approaches within the Forest-Wood-Society Nexus

The ITC INNOwood project focuses on elucidating the intricate interconnections among forests, wood resources, and societal dynamics within the forest-wood vale chain. This initiative responds to ever increasing demands for wood utilization amidst pressing challenges like climate variability, storm-induced damages, and escalating forest management costs, which strain conventional forest economic paradigms. The overarching objective of ITC INNOwood is to enhance public understanding regarding the inherent value of harnessing local wood resources for both forest sustainability and eco system services, including climate mitigation benefits. Central to this endeavor is the development of a comprehensive comprehension framework elucidating the multifaceted relationships between forests, wood resources, and societal needs and benefits.

© Ernst Immoos

© Lignum Holzwirtschaft Zentralschweiz. Photographer: Roberto Conciatori, Lucerne

© Florian Rebmann. www.unsplash.com

Six flagship projects are used to showcase the tangible benefits of local timber utilization in an appealing manner. These case studies not only provide insights into key themes and elucidate the interplay between forests, wood, and society, but also narrate the specific stories of how timber from the forest is processed into buildings and structures. The overarching goal in analyzing these case studies was to highlight the ripple effects stemming from decisions made at the end of the value chain (building owners and decision-makers) all the way back into the forest.

Haus des Holzes Sursee & Tower of the Nature Reserve and Wildlife Park Goldau

Heating network Hergiswil & Berglodge37 Eggberge

Schlaufensteg Baar & Obwaldner Kantonalbank Sarnen

Moreover, the outcomes of this project served as the cornerstone for the establishment of a dedicated website, facilitated and funded by the Cantonal forestry authorities of six Central Swiss cantons. By leveraging the insights gleaned from ITC INNOwood, this website aims to disseminate pertinent findings and experiences to a wider audience, facilitating informed decision-making and fostering constructive dialogues within political and social spheres. Emphasizing practical applicability, the website equips stakeholders with actionable insights and policy recommendations derived from the project’s outcomes, thereby promoting sustainable forestry practices and societal resilience.

Homepage www.waldnutzen.ch

Impact structure: forest – wood – society

Video page www.waldnutzen.ch

The ITC INNOwood project received support from the Swiss Forest and Wood Research Promotion Agency (WHFF-CH), with collaborative involvement from the Conference for Forests, Wildlife, and Landscape (KWL) and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). The project benefited from financial contributions from all cantonal forestry authorities in Central Switzerland (LU, ZG, SZ, UR, NW, OW), as well as from Lignum Holzwirtschaft Zentralschweiz LHZ and Pirmin Jung Schweiz AG. Additionally, funding was provided by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts through the internal resources of participating competence centers, complemented by support from the Interdisciplinary Thematic Cluster Space and Society (ITC RG). Furthermore, WaldSchweiz and WWF actively participated in the project, alongside all entities mentioned above.

Workshop at Küng Holzbau AG

The project team

Workshop at Küng Holzbau AG

Project organization

Project manager:
Hochschule Luzern T&A, Kompetenzzentrum Typologie & Planung in Architektur (CCTP), Dr. Sonja Geier

Project team:
– Hochschule Luzern T&A, Kompetenzzentrum Typologie & Planung in Architektur (CCTP)
– Hochschule Luzern W, Kompetenzzentrum Regionalökonomie (CCRO)
– Hochschule Luzern W, Kompetenzzentrum Business Communication (CCBC)

Team CCTP:
– Dr. Sonja Geier
– Pascal Wacker
– Jara Malevez

Period: 01.12.2021 – 30.11.2023

Links

Link to project on website Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Link to the newly established website «www.waldnutzen.ch» (Go-live on 21st march 2024)

Contact

Dr. Sonja Geier
Project manager
Kompetenzzentrum Typologie & Planung in Architektur (CCTP)
sonja.geier@hslu.ch