Urban research − understanding urban change in its diversity

ILS scientists Ann-Kristin Koch, Barbara Schröter and Kathrin Specht, together with other colleagues from the JUST GROW project, have published an article in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. The article deals with a new framework for establishing justice-oriented pathways to govern and catalyze the sustainable transformation of city region food systems (CRFS). Therefore, the JUST GROW framework incorporates three interlinked principles of justice into a comprehensive governance process of collective knowing, inclusive deliberation, and intentional action and calls for processes of open and inclusive co-creation with community stakeholders, decision-makers, and researchers. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1653448. Further current selected papers can be found here.

ILS researcher Barbara Schröter and her colleagues have published an article in the journal Sustainability Science. The article examines how different ideas about “sustainable” gold mining in the Colombian Amazon region are causing tensions between companies, small-scale miners, indigenous communities, and government actors. The study shows that sustainable solutions are only possible if power relations and issues of justice are taken into account and diverse perspectives on sustainability are included in decision-making processes. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-025-01749-w. Further current selected papers can be found here.

ILS Researcher Peter Stroms, Eyaiu Hassen, and Thomas Weith as well as Luise Porst from ZALF have published an article in the journal disP – The Planning Review. The article deals with real-world laboratories which can make an important contribution to initiating, researching and implementing transformative processes within society. In this context, the REGIONALE in North Rhine-Westphalia represents a highly interesting format, having frequently provided innovative and experimental regional development projects and new types of cooperation between stakeholders. Developing a set of criteria for real-world laboratories, this article examines similarities between the REGIONALE and the real-world laboratory approach and discusses both the possible opportunities and challenges that the real-world laboratory perspective could have for the REGIONALE and thus for format-oriented regional development. https://doi.org/10.1080/02513625.2025.2561515.Further current selected papers can be found here.

ILS researcher Thomas Weith, together with Wolfgang Köck from UFZ and Annelie Gütte from ZALF, has published an article in the journal STANDORT. As part of the ReGerecht project, the article analyses institutionalised urban-rural cooperation using the example of Schwerin. Urban-rural interdependencies are a central topic in planning and research. The urban-rural interrelations (SUR) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which have been formalised through state planning, represent a special case that has received little attention to date. The analysis of the Schwerin urban-rural area shows that institutional anchoring has established functioning cooperation areas and coordination routines. The approach facilitates the balancing of interests and offers potential for transfer to other federal states. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00548-025-01014-3. Further current selected papers can be found here.

Thomas Weith, head of the research group “Spatial Planning and Urban Design”, in collaboration with Roni Susman from ZALF, has published an article in the journal LAND. Based on the ReGerecht project, the article examines conflicts of use along Jade Weser Port. The focus is on the question of how large-scale infrastructure projects are embedded in ecologically sensitive coastal areas and what spatial conflicts arise as a result. Satellite images, planning documents, and implementation measures were used to analyse land use changes between 1970 and 2015. The results show that the growing demand for land for port-related infrastructure creates conflicts in limited spatial resources and competes with nature conservation and other land use demands. A lack of coordination between infrastructure planning and integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is further exacerbating the conflicts. The study highlights the need for coherent, interdisciplinary planning approaches to sustainable development in coastal regions. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14102009.  Further current selected papers can be found here.