News and Events

In planning research, a debate is unfolding about the role of truth. The key question is: should planning science accept that several subjective truths exist side by side ("polyrationality")? Or must planning and planning research be based on a binding, scientifically proven truth? For IRS planning researcher Christoph Sommer, the key lies in a critical approach to data. more info

Municipalities are increasingly employing climate managers to drive forward the implementation of climate policy goals. But how do these individuals act, and how do specific local conditions influence their actions? In a new paper in the journal "Regional Studies", researchers from the IRS show that different strategies are pursued depending on whether a municipality is already active in climate policy or not. more info

Cities need to prepare themselves for threats such as heatwaves and floods, in other words: become more resilient. But there are different ways of thinking about resilience. A new article looks at cities that are involved in a global network for resilience and compares cities in the "Global North" and the "Global South". The result: there are many similarities. However, there are differences as to whether resilience is seen more as a defence of the status quo or as a path to transformation. more info