Urban research − understanding urban change in its diversity

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.

ILS researchers Sebastian Eichhorn und Angelika Münter have published a joint expert commentary in the journal “Raumforschung und Raumordnung | Spatial Research and Planning” together with colleagues from the German Institute of Urban Affairs (Difu) and the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IÖR). This commentary addresses the findings of the study “Housing Construction Needs (More) Land”, published by Institute for Housing, Real Estate, Urban and Regional Development (InWIS) at the Ruhr University Bochum and EBZ Business School Bochum on June 18, 2025, and criticizes the blanket demand for more and more building land as short-sighted. Instead, land for housing construction should be sought on a small scale and where it is actually needed. The entire article is available under the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.14512/rur.3425. Further current selected papers can be found here.

ILS researchers Noriko Otsuka, Janina Welsch, and Anna-Lena van der Vlugt, in collaboration with colleagues, have published an article in the journal “Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives”. The article examines the complexity of walkability in three European cities based on the WalkUrban project. It focuses on the innovative citizen science method based Walking Route Assessment. The citizen-science led method played an important role in highlighting the areas for improving urban walkability, with photographic evidence. Cross-examination with the results from other methods (i.e. spatial modelling, household survey and walk-along interviews) provided deeper insights into people’s perceptions of their walking environment and routes on a neighbourhood scale. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2025.101588. Further current selected papers can be found here.

ILS-researcher Michael Kolocek has published a paper in the journal “Cities”. The article summarizes the main findings of the Z³ research project („Zusammenhalthochdrei“) from the perspective of property rights theory. The study focuses on the land acquisition process in several affected villages and how residents were compensated for their losses. It critically evaluates whether the principle of social compatibility achieved its intended goals. The situation in these areas is unique, as some villages initially designated for removal were later spared due to revised mining plans. Two theoretical concepts are discussed: solastalgia, which describes the relationship between ecosystem health and human well-being and explaining the psychological impact of these turbulent experiences; and solatium, an international concept used to compensate for emotional distress and pain caused by losing one’s home. Although solatium does not exist in German law, the paper shows how stakeholders sought to mitigate economic and emotional harm through an innovative compensation approach combined with participatory measures. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.106273. Further current selected papers can be found here.