Shaping Transformations together

Shaping a profound change towards sustainability does not only require sound knowledge, data and planning tools that come from science. It also requires cooperation between different disciplines, as is practised at the IOER. And above all, it needs the participation of various actors in society, politics, the economy and planning. 

The IOER therefore pursues a transdisciplinary research approach in which research needs are jointly identified, knowledge is produced, ideas and solutions are tested, reflected upon and further developed. An overarching goal is to jointly design planning and control approaches, instruments and methods that are based on spatial information and are suitable for initiating, controlling, accelerating and stabilising a transformative change towards sustainability. 

A central element is the participation of many - from those affected to decision-makers. Transformation requires the cooperation of a wide range of actors so that a cultural change, innovations and changes in the overall system become possible. To this end, the IOER operates a permanent real laboratory at the Görlitz site, including the Interdisciplinary Centre for Transformative Urban Redevelopment (IZS).

Experts

Marc Wolfram focuses on the connections between spatial development and social-ecological transformation. His work aims to support their sustainability through approaches for practical action.

Artem Korzhenevych is engaged in research on sustainability-oriented and transformative innovations. Insights are gained into the factors and policy instruments that increase the capacity of cities and regions to generate such innovations.

Franziska Ehnert focuses in her research on urban transformative governance to advance sustainability transformations. She engages in transdisciplinary research to empower citizens to co-create their cities.

Jonathan Morris is primarily concerned with the analysis and evaluation of economic activities and actors (e.g. companies, supply chains, resource providers) and their impact on ecological and social sustainability. The aim of his research is to develop indicators and societal knowledge for improved policy making.

Marina Novikova works on social innovations and their role in sustainability transformations in rural areas. The goal of her research is to explore the social innovation processes to inform future policy making in rural areas.

The Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development is jointly funded by the federal government and the federal states.

FS Sachsen

This measure is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.