Research

The Department’s research topics encompass contemporary and adequate ways of dealing with our historic built heritage, resource-saving spatial development that is accepted by the population in transitional areas between city and landscape, and changing interrelations between society and city in terms of typology.

The key is to analyze the constitutive components of the related built-spatial and societal situations in order to address relevant questions. These include:

Which purpose does our built heritage serve against the specific background of German and European culture and history?
How can we shape fields of action in regional spatial development with regards to demographic change and limited resources?
How can we meet current challenges in architecture and urban design in typological terms?
This research activity is based on the scientific qualification of the Department members and contributes to the scope and methodologies of teaching. Insights and results are gained and presented through research, documentation and particularly model building. Exemplary topics can be developed into design projects. Quantitative basic assessments are complemented by comparisons. Critical analyses and interpretations serve to formulate individual perspectives.

The results of completed research projects indicate the specific responsibility of cities and their citizens on how to deal with the built environment, the potential of public participation and communication between municipalities for spatial planning and design, as well as the adaptive capacity of vernacular architecture. The results are presented to the public within exhibitions, interdisciplinary workshops and public meetings. The Department’s research projects are supported by third-party funding and grants.