News

Reflections on the ARL Summer School 2026

From 8 to 10 July 2026, twelve doctoral researchers from across the globe gathered at the University of Amsterdam for the infrastructure-focused edition of the ARL Summer School.

Participants in the ARL International Summer School have published their findings in a special issue of the European Journal of Spatial Development

In June of 2026, the new call for the Interreg Alpine Space projects announced support for the project “PINO – Planning Instruments for Nature-based Solutions” for the next three years (until 05/2029).

The registration deadline has been extended to 6 September.

ARL position paper shows how spatial planning and development can strengthen state and alliance defence, as well as civil protection.

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)

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.

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.

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

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

Around 30 percent of Germany’s population lives in small towns. Yet housing debates and research continue to focus predominantly on large cities and metropolitan areas. The new ARL position paper “Housing in Small Towns: Current Challenges in Research and Practice” addresses this blind spot and calls for a more differentiated understanding of small-town housing markets.

On July 3, 2026, as part of the World Congress of Planning Schools in Helsinki, a panel discussion titled “Land Policy to Reduce Land Consumption in Europe: On the Path to Net Zero” took place. 

The ARL Working Group “AlpPlan” hosted a workshop dedicated to discussing the role of spatial planning in addressing the effects of glacier melt on landscapes, territories, and communities across the European Alps.

Lecture by prof. Colin McFarlane

📅 6 July 2026
🕜 15:30 -17:00
🏢 University of Amsterdam, Roeterseilandcampus - building A
📍 Room A2.07

The Förderkreis für Raum- und Umweltforschung (FRU) invites submissions for the FRU Sponsorship Award 2026, focusing on European Cohesion Policy in times of multiple transformations.

The ARL International Working Group In Pursuit of Net Zero Land Take in Europe held its first in-person meeting on 23–24 April 2026 in Ghent, Belgium.

Spatial planning seen by planners: Spatial planning seen by planners
Are you (or have you been) working in the field of urban design, urban development or spatial planning? Share your experience!

Cities & Health, in partnership with the Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association (ARL), announces a new Special Issue dedicated to the transformative role of visualisation in tackling health inequities through urban planning.

Deadline now: 30 September 2026 

Call for working groups and transfer formats

Registration Open 

We are inviting researchers, policymakers and practitioners to our 2026 congress: European Regional Policy in Times of Transition

📍 Cologne, Germany
📅 1–2 October 2026

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.