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

15/05/2026

New Edition Released: ARL Country Profile Italy

A new ARL Country Profile by Giancarlo Cotella (2026) explores the evolution of Italy’s territorial governance system, from traditional urbanistica to contemporary strategic and regionalised planning approaches shaped by EU cohesion policy and multilevel governance.

30/04/2026

„Land owners paradise?“ – ARL International Working Group Land Take in Europe

The international working group Land Take in Europe - In Pursuit of Net Zero met for its first live workshop at HOGENT University in Ghent (Belgium).

29/04/2026

New Edition Released: ARL Country Profile Czech Republic

The Czech Republic’s spatial planning system is characterised by a unitary state structure combined with a decentralised multi-level governance system shaped by post-socialist reforms and EU integration. The updated ARL Country Profile of the Czech Republic, authored by Univ.-Prof. Karel Maier, provides a concise overview of its constitutional and administrative framework, key planning instruments, and the hierarchical relationship between national, regional and local levels in spatial development.

23/04/2026

AlpPlan goes Forum Alpinum 2026 in Aosta Valley

From 28 to 30 May 2026, AlpPlan will participate in Forum Alpinum 2026. On 28 May, an AlpPlan workshop and the annual General Assembly will take place in Aosta.

21/04/2026

Landscape withwind turbines and the text “Regional expansion of onshore wind power under RED III”

The 2026 ARL Brussels Talk: Balancing Speed and Sustainability in the Energy Transition

How can the accelerated expansion of renewable energy be reconciled with biodiversity protection and meaningful public participation? Around 30 participants from research, administration and policy came together to discuss one of the key challenges of the energy transition.

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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!