Research

Four central themes are principles which inform our research:

Sustainable ground use - internal development before external development!
Ground resources are a scarce property, which are not increasable. Sustainable ground use is, therefore, the central basis for a lasting Spatial Development. With the various requirements of the different important actors within this scenario, extensive spatial conflicts develop. The minimum strategy for the solution of these conflicts exists in the implementation of the principle of internal development before external development. The application of this strategy requires effective local and regional land management.

Integrated space and infrastructure development
Via an integrated space and infrastructure development significant synergies can be reached for the organization of our habitat. This requires an early exchange of requirements and ideas among the disciplines and actors involved and a common investigation of possible solutions. For a focused and effective Spatial Development, the continuous elaboration of procedures and instruments that support these processes is of great importance.

Cross-border issues of Spatial Planning and Development
To clarify and solve relevant spatial-related issues - in particular in the closely related regions - is cooperation over political, organizational and technical borders a necessary condition. In areas of conflict regarding local planning competence and the necessary over-local space planning, extensive forms of cooperation are to be developed and tested.

Development of Innovative and Practice-Oriented Planning Methods, Instruments and Processes
To support the successful accomplishment of the tasks,  the employment of the respective suitable planning methods is essential, particularly considering the existence of limited resources, imperfect information and risks. The praxis-oriented development of innovative planning instruments and processes is, therefore, an important emphasis. Internet-based planning information systems will play an important role. Furthermore, new tools for experimental simulations are important for the estimation and examination of significant spatial developments.

Members of the staff at the Chair of Spatial Development continuously exchange ideas and experience via comprehensive and regulary organised research seminars.

Phd students work within an international network of universities, via an International PhD Programme called Research Lab Space , under the theme: "perspectives of spatial development in European metropolitan regions".

See also our Cooperation Projects.