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

26/11/2025

The ARL Forum “Gender and Spatial Transformation” developed a Code of Conduct

We are pleased to announce that our ARL Forum 'Gender and Spatial Transformation' has developed a Code of Conduct for our cooperation and transdisciplinary knowledge production.

26/11/2025

Planning, designing and implementing green infrastructure – A contribution to Alpine spatial planning

This position paper from the cross-border working group of the ARL Bavaria Forum considers the multifunctional concept of green infrastructure to be a profitable approach for strengthening the role of spatial planning in the northern Alpine region, specifically with regard to coordinating planning and measures related to open spaces.

26/11/2025

PlanToConnect Final Conference

The Alpine Space Interreg project “ PlanToConnect ” hold its final conference on the 7 ^thof October 2025 with an excursion to agro-photovoltaic sites on the 8 ^thof October to finalize its project as it ended at the end of October.

26/11/2025

AlpPlan / PlanToConnect Expert Platform Workshop on Ecological Connectivity

As a pre-event to the AlpPlan General Assembly and a thematic introduction to the PlanToConnect Final Conference on the following two days, AlpPlan and the PlanToConnect Expert Platform co-hosted a workshop featuring a keynote by Dr. Annika Keeley.

24/11/2025

New Edition Released: ARL Country Profile Switzerland

From the Alps to the Swiss Plateau, Switzerland is updating how it manages land use. The latest reforms focus on sustainable growth, compact urban development, and balancing public interest with property rights—giving cantons, municipalities, and citizens a stronger role in shaping the future of Swiss settlements.

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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!