Our goal

The ARL stands for sustainable spatial development: socially and economically just, ecologically responsible and forward-thinking. We stimulate research on current topics and socially relevant challenges, pool expertise and create new knowledge in order to identify concrete approaches, options and solutions to make cities, rural areas and regions liveable and crisis-proof for all people, while at the same time protecting nature and landscapes in all their diversity and preserving them for future generations.  

Who we are

The ARL is a social research infrastructure facility in the Leibniz Association that enables cooperation and networking between spatial science research and planning practice. As an Academy with renowned, selected members and a large network of committed experts at all career levels, we consistently bundle interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge on current issues of sustainable spatial development as the professional voice of spatial science and 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

19/03/2025

Webinar Series on European Perspectives on Justice Issues in Socio-Spatial Change – Part 3

The ARL, in collaboration with the Regional Studies Association (RSA), is organising a three-part webinar series as part of the RSA City and Regional Sustainability Transitions Webinars. The second part will take place on April 15^th 2025, on the topic of Urban Planning for Health Equity.

12/03/2025

Open Access Book of the ARL IAK “Land Policies in Europe” Presented at PLPR Conference

The Open Access book "Land Policies in Europe", supported by the ARL and originating from the ARL’s international working group (IAK) of the same name, was presented at the International Academic Conference on Planning, Law, and Property Rights on March 7 in Cardiff – in the week of its publication.

11/03/2025

illustrative graphic for the project Planners' Forum

Calling all spatial planners in the Baltic Sea Region: your expertise counts!

Are you working in spatial planning and interested in cross-country collaboration? We invite you to take part in a short survey to help shape the future 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺.

06/03/2025

Recently published as Open Access: Land Policies in Europe

The new anthology „Land Policies in Europe. Land-Use Planning, Property Rights, and Spatial Development“ is one of the central results of the inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration of the ARL International Working Group on Land Policies in Europe.

03/03/2025

Webinar Series on European Perspectives on Justice Issues in Socio-Spatial Change – Part 2

The ARL, in collaboration with the Regional Studies Association (RSA), is organising a three-part webinar series as part of the RSA City and Regional Sustainability Transitions Webinars. The second part will take place on March 14, 2025, on the topic of Energy Justice.

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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!