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

09/04/2026

Abstract illustration showing a group of young people walking through layered, semi-transparent geometric shapes in warm and cool colors. The composition contrasts calm, muted spatial structures with vivid, dynamic elements, symbolizing youth perspectives, participation, and future-oriented planning in changing regions.

ARL Lunch Talk “Planning the Future for Youth in Europe’s Shrinking Areas”

Hosted by the ARL and organised by Dr. Martina Schorn (Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research) and Dr. Lena Greinke (Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover) the ARL Lunch Talk “Planning the Future for Youth in Europe’s Shrinking Areas” took place on Thursday, 19.3.2026, 13:00-14:00h.

09/04/2026

International symposium on land use challenges in European metropolitan regions in Berlin

On 6 and 7 May 2026, the international symposium “Land use challenges in European Metropolitan Regions – exchanging promising spatial planning approaches” will take place in Berlin.

31/03/2026

VASAB Young Planners’ Summer School 2026

Open Call – Apply by 7 April 2026

Are you a young professional or student interested in shaping the future of spatial planning in the Baltic Sea Region? The VASAB Young Planners’ Summer School 2026 offers a unique opportunity to engage with key challenges such as climate change adaptation, resilience, mobility, and sustainable land and sea use.

25/03/2026

New Edition Released: ARL Country Profile Luxembourg

The updated ARL Country Profile of Luxembourg, authored by Tom Becker and Prof. Markus Hesse, provides an overview of the country’s spatial planning and territorial development system. It outlines Luxembourg’s multilevel governance, municipal networks, and strategic planning framework, while highlighting the role of European integration, cross-border cooperation, and sustainable development challenges in a small, highly internationalized state.

23/03/2026

Plenary meeting (online)

On 13 March 2026, the members of the ARL International Working Group "Resilient Metropolitan Regions – Spatial Planning and Management for Urban Transformation" met online for a plenary meeting.

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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!