We Are ETH Smart Cities, Hot Climates: How Estefanía Tapias is turning research and experience into real cities
Nov 20, 2025
In a riveting discussion, Estefanía Tapias, a smart-city expert and ETH Zurich alumna, shares her journey from Bogotá to the Middle East. She delves into how extreme heat influences urban design and emphasizes the importance of walkability and public transport in hot climates. Estefanía also explores the challenges and potentials of ambitious projects like Saudi Arabia's NEOM. With insights on blending technology and anthropology in urban planning, she inspires young planners to experience cities firsthand and embrace change in their work.
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Zurich Captured Her Path
- Estefanía fell in love with Zurich for its blend of nature, safety, and modernity which felt like a village with full amenities.
- She moved for a six-month thesis and ended up staying eight years, marrying a Swiss person and raising a Swiss daughter.
Heat Demands Adaptation, Not Only Mitigation
- Adaptation to extreme heat is inevitable and requires cities to plan for resilience, not just mitigation.
- Estefanía emphasizes that human physiological adaptation and local climate differences must shape urban strategies.
Climate Variety Means Tailored Urban Design
- Gulf climates vary widely between humid coastal cities and dry desert interiors, so one-size-fits-all solutions fail.
- Traditional local techniques still matter and should inform modern sustainable building approaches.
