DOKORP 2025: A Reason to Plan in Times of Multiple Crises
How can we shape cities to be more just and sustainable? What role does spatial planning play in times of climate crisis, housing shortages, and social inequality? These questions were at the heart of the 7th Dortmund Conference on Spatial and Planning Research (DOKORP), which took place in February 2025 at TU Dortmund University.
Under the title “A Reason to Plan in Times of Multiple Crises,” around 380 experts from academia and practice came together with students to discuss future - oriented planning strategies. In 225 contributions, innovative concepts and research findings on land policy, sustainable urban development, and resilient planning approaches were presented. A special focus was placed on the importance of land as a limited resource—a topic also explored in keynote speeches by Prof. Dr. Richard Norton (University of Michigan), Prof. Dr. Dr. Ortwin Renn (sociologist), and Assoc. Prof. Heidi Falkenbach (Aalto University).
In addition to academic debates, an excursion organized by the RVR provided practical insights into transformation projects in Dortmund, such as the Hansa Coking Plant and the innovation site Phoenix-West. Another highlight was the PhD Day, which gave early-career researchers the opportunity to present their work and engage in exchange with experienced experts.
We thank all participants, speakers, and organizers for their valuable contributions and look forward to DOKORP 2027!
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