News

On September 29, curious minds are invited to a new edition of "Book a Scientist". In this format, initiated by the Leibniz Association, Leibniz researchers answer questions on topics that touch everyday life. This time, three scientists from the IOER are taking part.

The Federal Nature Conservation Act was introduced in Germany 50 years ago. Since then, it has undergone a number of changes, amendments and extensions. What successes have been achieved, and what challenges remain? The latest instalment of the IÖR Forum takes a look back and ahead.

This year, the Denksalon in the European city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec focuses on the topic "Schrumpfung und Transformation – Mehr Raum für Nachhaltigkeit und Resilienz in Städten und Regionen?" (Shrinkage and Transformation – More Space for Sustainability and Resilience in Cities and Regions?). On 1 and 2 October, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Transformative Urban Regeneration (IZS) will once again host the event at the Silesian Museum in Görlitz to discuss the current challenges and potential of shrinking cities and regions. Registration is open until 18 September 2026.

Under the heading “Levers for sustainable urban mobility transformations,” the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS) is offering fellowships for a doctoral programme starting in March 2027. Interested candidates with a Master’s degree and ideas for innovative research projects are invited to apply by 1 September.

Neelakshi Joshi and Alejandro de Castro Mazarro from the IOER have received the AESOP Excellence in Teaching Award 2026 for their course "Global Perspectives in Spatial Development". With this award, the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) recognizes outstanding pedagogical approaches in the education of planners. The course is part of the Master's degree programme "Spatial Development and Natural Resource Management" at Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden).

“Streambed stories – near-natural watercourse development in Dresden” is the title of an animated film produced as part of the EU ReBioClim project. In it, Egon the fish explains why the restoration of streams and rivers in densely populated urban areas is important and what benefits it brings for biodiversity, climate adaptation and quality of life.

How well are cities prepared for heat, drought, and heavy rainfall? As part of the project “Urban Climate Dashboard – Field Testing of Indicators for Urban Climate Adaptation,” the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER), in collaboration with partners, has developed a web application for the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, and Construction (BMWSB) and the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs, and Spatial Development (BBSR). The Urban Climate Dashboard provides key indicators for climate adaptation in German cities in a…

Heatwaves, heavy rain & snowfall, drought, river flooding, landslides, avalanches – the risks of natural hazards are interconnected, often referred to as complex, multi(ple), compound or systemic risks. How can interactions between the individual hazards and the resulting dynamic development of vulnerability and exposure be holistically considered in multi-risk assessments? – This question was the focus of the annual meeting of the Working Group on Natural Hazards and Natural Risks within the German Geographical Society (DGfG). At the end of April, the IOER hosted and organized the event under…

A new study, conducted by researchers from the Netherlands and Germany, estimates that urban agriculture in European cities could produce up to 20 million tons of vegetables annually, representing roughly one-third of the region’s current vegetable production. The study, published in Sustainable Cities and Society, systematically analyses the potential of urban agriculture for 840 cities across 30 European countries.