Research projects

The project “Regional Land Use Reports for North Rhine-Westphalia” examines the development of settlement and transport areas across the state’s six planning regions. Its aim is to provide robust, differentiated data to support land-saving spatial planning and the achievement of NRW’s sustainability targets. Using official cadastral and geospatial data combined with satellite-based Earth observation, the project analyzes land use changes by category, region, and spatial typology. In addition, soil sealing is assessed as a key indicator of environmental impact. The findings are compiled into regional land use reports that highlight trends, drivers, and strategic options, offering a solid evidence base for regional and state-level planning policies. This project is carried out by ILS Research.