Our goal

The ARL wants to shape sustainable spatial development and social prospects for the future. That is why we facilitate interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research on current spatial issues. We aim to identify action- and solution-oriented ways and means of making cities, rural areas and regions liveable and crisis-proof for all people, while protecting the diversity of nature and the landscape and preserving them for future generations.

Who we are

The ARL works at the interface between science, planning practice and politics. Its research and work covers issues of spatial development and spatial planning – fields in which many key social challenges are concentrated in a concrete and conflictual manner. Addressing these issues requires interdisciplinary cooperation and reflective exchange between scientific analysis and planning and political practice.

The Academy

This platform

ARL-international.com is your gateway to spatial development and planning from a global perspective. It serves as the ARL's platform for international collaboration, transdisciplinary research, and knowledge exchange on pressing spatial challenges.

Here, you’ll find opportunities to connect with experts from academia and practice. This website is dedicated to fostering an international dialogue and strengthening cross-border cooperation in spatial development.

Latest News

03/08/2026

Call for Papers for a special issue on Transit-Oriented Development in Built-up Areas in the journal: Raumforschung und Raumordnung | Spatial Research and Planning (RuR)

Call for Papers for a special issue on Transit-Oriented Development in Built-up Areas in the journal: Raumforschung und Raumordnung | Spatial Research and Planning (RuR) (rur.oekom.de)

27/07/2026

New Edition Released: ARL Country Profile Estonia

The updated ARL Country Profile of Estonia, authored by Kristiina Martin and Kadi Väli, provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s spatial planning and territorial development system, outlining its governance framework, institutional structure, and planning system.

23/07/2026

New Edition Released: ARL Country Profile of the United Kingdom

How is spatial planning organised across the four nations of the United Kingdom? The new ARL Country Profile examines the country's planning systems, governance structures and territorial context.

17/07/2026

Learning Across Regions

Building Successful Cross-Boundary Governance from AlpPlan to the Baltic Sea. Short recap on the second ARL Roundtable Discussion at the World Planning School Congress 2026 in Helsinki

16/07/2026

Dortmund Conference – DOKORP 2027: Call for Abstracts and Roundtables due by September 15, 2026

22.02.2027 - 25.02.2027
Dortmund

Generative AI, machine learning, virtual worlds – opportunities, risks, and implications of the ongoing digitalisation for planning for the future

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Expert Circle

One of the ARL’s unique features is its large network of highly qualified experts. We are now making this network even more international and even more visible by launching our Expert Circle. Want to know who the experts are on certain topics? Who is doing research where and on what issues? Which planning professionals have valuable experience in which areas?

The platform enables professionals in our network to be filtered by topic, profession, country and regional expertise. Find interesting people you would like to work and exchange ideas with.

It’s very easy, try it out!