Publications

ILS researcher Stefano Cozzolino has published an article in the journal Town Planning Review together with Lisa Haag. Policy documents increasingly identify energy-efficient housing renovation as a global priority that requires implementation at the local level. This article examines the challenges of implementing such energy-efficient renovation strategies in dense, low-income neighbourhoods characterised by a high degree of ownership fragmentation. Focusing on Dortmund–Nordstadt, Germany, the study combines spatial data analysis, policy review, and in-depth engagement with private owners and municipal stakeholders. It explores the specific perspectives of private actors while drawing broader implications for urban planning. The findings highlight the importance of context-sensitive approaches and point to the potential of neighbourhood-specific, low-threshold engagement formats to facilitate action. https://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2025.37. Further current selected papers can be found here.

People with a migration background and/or who identify themselves with an ethnic group tend to have different travel behaviour in comparison to the population majority. A better understanding of this nexus is needed, yet there is a lack of quantitative studies on this topic in Europe and in the United Kingdom. ILS researcher Janina Welsch and Giulio Mattioli from TU Dortmund fill this gap by analysing data from the 2018–2019 wave of the UK House-hold Longitudinal Survey. With ordinal regression models, they investigate the impact of migration generation and ethnicity on the frequency of car, bus, and bicycle use. The results show that travel behaviour varies substantially depending on migration background and ethnicity, with the latter playing a larger role. More: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-025-10696-5. Further current selected papers can be found here.

ILS researchers Hannah Brill, Isabel Ramos Lobato, and Nils Hans, together with Miriam Neßler and Heike Hanhörster from TU Berlin, have published an article in the journal sub/urban. This article analyzes the spatial effects of the increasing diversification of migration processes. The focus is on newly forming arrival areas in Europe beyond „traditional“ urban migration centers. Based on a systematic literature review, five central dimensions can be identified that shape the local arrival conditions for newcomers. The article argues for a differentiated view of local arrival contexts in the sense of the „local turn“ in migration research, which takes into account the complex interactions between local and supra-local conditions. https://doi.org/10.36900/suburban.v13i2/3.1027. Further current selected papers can be found here.

ILS researchers Melissa Leimkühler, Kathrin Specht, Chiara Iodice, and Barbara Schröter have published an article in the journal Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems. The article examines how Dortmund’s food system can be made sustainable. It focuses on the key actors, their roles and relationships, and the obstacles to transformation. The analysis shows that close cooperation between civil society and local authorities is crucial and that the Dortmund Food Policy Council plays a central networking role. Successful further development requires, above all, better coordination, financing, political participation, visibility, and networking. The results provide concrete impetus for strengthening urban food systems. https://doi.org/10.1002/uar2.70029. Further current selected papers can be found here.

ILS scientists Thomas Weith, Ann-Kristin Koch, and Melissa Leimkühler, together with Julian Gatawis, have published an article in the journal „Geographische Rundschau“. The article examines how urban circular economies can relieve pressure on agricultural systems: climate change, resource scarcity, and land use pressure are increasing the need for sustainable solutions. Wastewater treatment plants offer great potential as a source of nutrients, but existing processes usually focus only on phosphorus. Using NEWtrient® scenarios, the article shows how new concepts can better integrate wastewater treatment plants into nutrient supply in the future. Further current selected papers can be found here.

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.