Publications

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.

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.