The goals and activities of the “Infrastructure & Local Development” research field (AF IKE) are guided by global development objectives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda (NUA), the Paris Agreement, and the New Leipzig Charter for the European City.

Against the backdrop of growing challenges faced by municipalities — particularly those stemming from climate change, demographic shifts, and structural transformation — the research field focuses on issues related to sustainable infrastructure planning and urban development. The research approach is strongly systemic, taking into account the interdependencies, influencing factors, and relationships within the “human-technology-space” system.

The analysis and modeling of infrastructural measures and plans are carried out using geographic information systems (GIS), for example, to create hazard maps for heavy rainfall, heat, and wind. Ecological assessments are based on life cycle analyses (LCAs) to determine carbon, water, or environmental footprints.

To ensure not only the technical feasibility but also the financial viability of concepts and measures, the research field conducts economic evaluations, considering regional value creation, and develops innovative financing models.

Supporting the implementation of developed concepts and measures also involves analyzing political and legal frameworks and designing governance and change management strategies. Specifically, this includes activities related to policy and municipal consulting, stakeholder management, and public relations.

AF IKE primarily works on federally funded projects, with study areas ranging from municipalities in Saarland and major German cities to rapidly growing regions in Asia and Africa. Additionally, smaller-scale economic projects — particularly in Saarland — are also undertaken.

The research field operates with a strong application and practice-oriented approach, combined with excellent communication skills, fostering close collaboration with key stakeholders.

Our areas of expertise:

We work across a wide range of fields, committed to promoting sustainable and future-proof development for regions, cities, and municipalities:

• Sustainable urban development and infrastructure planning:

We design concepts for sustainable construction and housing, climate protection and adaptation, municipal heat planning, and energy-optimized neighborhoods, as well as efficient and adaptive supply and disposal systems that align with circular economy principles and resource efficiency.

• GIS analyses:

We use geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze and model infrastructure measures and plans, create heat maps and hazard maps for heavy rainfall, heat, and wind, as well as to determine route relationships and solve logistical challenges.

• Economic evaluation:

We develop financing concepts, conduct profitability analyses and cost-benefit assessments — also considering regional value creation.

• Ecological assessment:

Our ecological evaluations use life cycle assessments (LCAs) to determine the environmental impacts of products, services, or systems across their entire life cycle.

• Process support and transformation management:

To ensure the feasibility of our concepts, we prioritize the involvement of all relevant stakeholders through participatory and cooperative processes. Furthermore, we develop transformation management and network-building strategies to disseminate and firmly anchor these concepts within municipal practices.

Our strength lies in our experienced, interdisciplinary team of experts from civil engineering, architecture, urban and regional planning, industrial engineering, and political science.