To path indicator Subpages of “newsdetail“ To navigation To quick access To footer with other services
To content
RER Logo
Department of Spatial Planning
IRPUD_hallway © Uwe Grützner​/​TU Dortmund

RER Researchers Present at World Planning Schools Congress (WPSC) 2026 in Helsinki

Conference venue © Tanja Schnittfinke​/​RER
Conference venue
Strong international presence with contributions on climate resilience, critical infrastructures and nature-based solutions

Researchers from the Research Group for Regional Development and Risk Management (RER) contributed a total of twelve scientific presentations to the World Planning Schools Congress (WPSC) 2026 in Helsinki. As one of the leading international conferences in planning research, the congress brought together more than 1600 scholars from around the world to discuss current challenges and future perspectives in urban and regional planning.

The presentations reflected the broad spectrum of research conducted within the group. A particular focus was placed on climate resilience, flood risk management, and critical infrastructure. Topics included cascading effects during crises, resilience assessment of critical infrastructure in flood-prone regions, and the accessibility of healthcare services during extreme weather events. Presentations by Tanja Schnittfinke, Marisa Fuchs, Jennifer Oriwol, Matthias Zimny, Marius Ehrmann, and Oskar Paßlick showcased innovative approaches developed within the icolma, KRITIS-Dialog, and Grün4KRITIS projects to risk analysis, crisis preparedness, and regional resilience.

Climate-adaptive urban and regional development formed another key theme. Wiriya Puntub and Wolfgang Scholz presented comparative research from the Urban Act project on governance approaches for integrated urban climate resilience in Asian cities, as well as findings from the collaboration between universities, local planning authorities and residents in the Philippines. The latter also reflects the student workshop held as part of an F-project. Furthermore, during a roundtable discussion, Wolfgang Scholz addressed the question of how planning students can be better prepared for the challenges of climate change through curriculum development.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) constituted a further thematic focus of RER's contributions. Peter Davids and Sophie Holtkötter, together with international project partners, presented findings from the Land4Climate project on strategies, opportunities, and challenges associated with implementing NbS on private land. These presentations were complemented by research on climate-induced relocation processes and landowners' responses to adaptation measures.

RER's strong presence at WPSC 2026 highlights the international visibility of the group's research on climate resilience, sustainable urban and regional development, and risk management. At the same time, the congress provided valuable opportunities for academic exchange and for strengthening existing international partnerships.