Publications

ILS researchers Janina Welsch, Noriko Otsuka and Anna-Lena van der Vlugt have published an article in the “Journal of Urban Mobility”. The study examined and compared walking satisfaction in three case study cities in Europe: Dortmund, Genoa, and Gothenburg as part of the EU project „WalkUrban“. By analyzing household survey data, levels and determinants of walking satisfaction within and between the cities were explored, using the Satisfaction with Travel Scale to measure walking satisfaction. The results show that levels of walking satisfaction differ between the cities and also in terms of several sub-dimensions. However, the findings expand the existing body of knowledge about determinants of walking satisfaction in different urban settings and provides vital insights for urban planning and policies determined to foster walking-friendly and satisfactory local urban environments. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urbmob.2025.100109. Further current selected papers can be found here.

Barbara Schröter, ILS researcher in the research group Spatial Planning and Urban Design, has published a paper in the journal Revista de Ciencas Ambientales – Tropical Journal of Environmental Sciences together with colleagues from the University of Costa Rica. They compare the institutional design of the river basin organisation of Costa Rica‘s two largest rivers, the Río Grande de Tárcoles and the Río Reventazón. Their strength and weaknesses are discussed and further implications for integrated water resources management in Costa Rica are discovered.
https://doi.org/10.15359/rca.59-2.8. Further current selected papers can be found here.

In collaboration with other colleagues, ILS researcher Thomas Weith has published a paper in the journal „Sustainable Development“. The paper synthesizes perspectives from multiple disciplines on the transition to sustainable and resillient agrifood systems (SARAS). It covers the consensus of the researchers, current research positions, and actionable measures compromising ecological, economic, social, and political dimensions. The authors plead for an holistic system approach to cover both global and local dimensions of agrifood systems, leverage synergies and mitigate unintended impacts on other countries and vulnerable groups. Unsolved issues, including matters of scaling, applicability of effective policy instruments, and securing the funding for the transformation are mentioned. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3468. Further current selected papers can be found here.

Isabel Ramos Lobato, ILS researcher in the research group „Urban Social Space“ has written a contribution to the „Handbuch Stadtsoziologie“. The article illustrates the extent of social segregation in German elementary schools, the potential consequences of de-mixing in schools and which factors contribute to school segregation. This includes residential segregation patterns, individual education choice and institutional factors, such as admission regulations and school profiling. It uncovers that mixed neighborhoods do not lead automatically to mixed elementary schools: Children with different socio-economic backgrounds are even stronger segregated in school than in the quarters they grow up in. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-42419-0_30-1. Further current selected papers can be found here.

Nina Hangebruch, researcher in the research group Spatial Planning and Urban Design, has published an article on the transformation of former department stores as a key task for inner city redevelopment. Therein, starting with current challenges in inner city centres and the conditions of municipalities as real estate market actors, the results of an empirical analysis of the role of municipalities in the repurposing of former department stores is described and reflected. The article was published in Issue 230 of the journal “RaumPlanung”. Further current selected papers can be found here.

A recent article in the journal „pnd – rethinking planning“ by ILS researcher Nina Hangebruch and a colleague from TU Dortmund covers vacant department stores as key buildings in the use change of inner city centres. Based on a theoretical model of transformation capacity, two current case studies from Lübeck and Hanau are used to illustrate how municipalities promote the transformation of inner city centres by reactivating former department stores. Therefore, the article presents key elements for the development of adequate utilization concepts and discusses stakeholder-related issues for municipal transformation capacities.
https://doi.org/10.18154/RWTH-2025-03382. Further current selected papers can be found here.

Angelika Münter, a researcher from the Mobility and Space research group, has published an article in the journal “Erdkunde” together with other colleagues. This paper empirically investigates how local actors manage potential impacts and uncertainties associated with a new high-speed rail (HSR) access. Using expert interviews and the conceptual framework of strategic planning, we show that both linear and adaptive strategies are required to cope with uncertainties. Furthermore, anticipation of potential impacts by politicians and planners with a long-term horizon can prove advantageous in the face of complex dynamics.
https://doi.org/10.3112/erdkunde.2025.01.01. Further current selected papers can be found here.

ILS-Wissenschaftler Jonas Marschall hat in der Neuen Zeitschrift für Verwaltungsrecht einen Beitrag veröffentlicht. Der Planungsdruck in der Raumordnung ist in Anbetracht ihrer zentralen Bedeutung für räumliche Transformationsprozesse und der Vielzahl an neuen gesetzlichen Vorgaben hoch. Die auf mittelfristige Zeiträume ausgelegten Raumordnungspläne müssen kurzfristig an aktuelle Anforderungen angepasst werden. Bereits im Verfahren kommen den vorgesehenen und den in Aufstellung befindlichen Zielen der Raumordnung Wirkungen mit Bedeutung für die Planungs- und Genehmigungspraxis zu. Schon vor dem formellen Abschluss des Planungsverfahrens können künftige Ziele der Raumordnung die Zulassung von Vorhaben begünstigen oder eine Grundlage für die befristete Untersagung von Vorhaben sein. Dem überragenden öffentlichen Interesse am Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien wird dabei in Bezug auf den Windenergieausbau durch Sonderregelungen Rechnung getragen. Hinweis: Der Beitrag wurde vor Einführung der Neuregelung in § 9 Abs. 1a BImSchG zur Planungssicherung für Windenergiegebiete verfasst und angenommen. Die veränderte Rechtslage bezieht sich nur auf die Aussagen über Windenergieprojekte, ansonsten sind die Ausführungen des Beitrags weiterhin aktuell! Weitere aktuelle Fachpublikationen finden Sie hier.

In an international collaboration with two colleagues from the Technical University of Denmark, ILS researcher Thomas Klinger has published an article on the social science concept of Mobility Culture in the journal “Transport Reviews”. Based on a systematic literature review, a structured comparison of theoretical and empirical work on the concept of Mobility Culture was carried out. As a result, a lack of conceptual clarity in the Mobility Culture discourse was identified. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2025.2454414. Further current selected papers can be found here.

Together with other researchers, Dr. Christian Gerten from the “Geoinformation and Monitoring” unit has published an article in the journal “Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung”. The article presents the results of a study on the current walkability and pedestrian friendliness in the city of Regensburg and discusses and derives options for improving walkability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11553-024-01165-5. Further current selected papers can be found here.