The social city tours are not classic city tours. They offer a different perspective on Zurich and its residents. They aim to reduce prejudices. All the tour guides have personal experience with poverty, exclusion, homelessness, violence, addiction, or mental illness. During their training at Surprise, they engage deeply with their past and the disruptions in their lives. This process helps them expand their understanding of the causes and effects of structural poverty.*
Hans Peter Meier will give us a tour in Zurich about Downward Spirals and Solidarity:
On the tour, you will vividly learn how urban planning and socioeconomic development have changed public spaces and the treatment of people affected by poverty in Zurich. You will also hear about those who raised awareness of homelessness in the 1960s and the measures taken by church and city representatives in response. The tour leads to inconspicuous places frequented by people who, for example, have lost their connection to mainstream society due to addiction and poverty.*
The tour is given in English, but if everyone in the tour understands German, it will be given in German.
The tour lasts about 2 hours and will by followed by drinks at the Riithalle.
Meeting point: In front of Cinema Xenix, Kanzleistrasse 52, 8004 Zurich at 16:50. The tour starts at 17h, we will not wait for late arrivals. If you are late, you can try and find us on the tour (details on the map here).
Registration open right away for contributing members, and from Monday 08.07 at 07:00 for all other members.
Cancellations are non-refundable.
All the best
Nadège and the EPFL Alumni SO Team
*All description texts were translated with ChatGPT from the website of the NGO Surprise
