Projects

The junior research group regulate investigates challenges in the management of groundwater in Europe against the background of acute drought, conflictuality and the complexity of institutional frameworks. 

The project is investigating ways of establishing regional networks to process precipitated phosphorus into phosphorus fertilizers in so-called struvite plants.

The task of the project is to provide scientific and communicative support for the digitalization of water management in the city of Frankfurt.

The project supports the transfer of knowledge from 18 EU-funded projects on water pollutants and pathogens to the public and administrative sector, politics, industry and business.

The SLInBio joint project investigates social-ecological interactions between lifestyles and everyday practices of city dwellers and urban insect diversity.

The tdAcademy platform promotes transdisciplinary research by generating knowledge for its effective design, evaluating new methods and formats and offering an international fellowship program.

ISOE identifies regions in Germany that are affected by groundwater stress.

The GreeN-H2 Namibia project is investigating the feasibility of producing, converting and transporting green hydrogen in Namibia.

To optimize water management, the project is developing a forecasting platform for Hamburg's daily water demand.

The mobility transition requires more than just new services - behavioral change is also necessary. The project examines the impact of communication and develops a framework for sustainable mobility change.

The project develops a basis for decision-making for water supply companies, authorities and municipalities to ensure a long-term and sustainable water supply.

In September, 2024 ISOE was commissioned by the Austrian Science Fund FWF to offer scientists training in transdisciplinary research.

The feasibility study examines the framework conditions for rainwater transfer from the Fellbach industrial estate to agricultural irrigation.

The AQUA-Hub project supports the establishment of Water Innovation Hubs in India, promotes technology transfer for water quality monitoring and strengthens SDG goals through pilot projects.

The project analyzes the state of scientific knowledge on global, European and German water resources in order to better predict their future changes. 

RobustNature identifies characteristics that determine the robustness of ecosystems and guarantee their functionality through dynamic compensation in the event of disturbances. 

The project investigates the effects of greater plant diversity on human health and biodiversity, with a focus on the knowledge and use of medicinal plants.

In three real-world laboratories, SuPraStadt II is investigating how the needs of residents in the fields of housing, open space and mobility can be reconciled with the ecological requirements of sustainability.

CapTain Rain develops climate services for forecasting and assessing heavy rainfall events. It also identifies measures to adapt to climate change and mitigate disaster damage.

To increase its impact potential, the SynVer*Z synthesis and networking project is supporting almost 50 research projects dealing with the transformation of cities towards sustainability.

The LogMob research project is investigating the implementation of an integrated mobility and logistics concept for major events in terms of its potential impact and the acceptance of its measures.

FlutNetz aims to improve local knowledge for emergency response to flood disasters and focuses on gender-sensitive vulnerabilities.

The project analyzes conflicting goals and synergies of socially just environmental policy and develops recommendations for sustainable and accepted measures.

The PendelLabor research project is investigating how commuting between the city and the region can be made more sustainable.

The smyile project is investigating sustainable mobility solutions in Waldenbuch, focusing on meeting demand with less traffic and integrating mobility and lifestyle research.

The NamTip project investigates desertification tipping points in Namibia's savannahs, analyzes social and ecological factors and develops sustainable pasture management strategies.

The PlaNE project is developing practical approaches for municipalities such as Frankfurt and Marburg to sustainably transform food systems according to planetary health criteria.

The project develops points of reference for those involved in neighbourhood development in order to better consider the opportunities and risks of the increasing digitalization of everyday life in planning processes.

The BIOZ project investigates environmentally friendly alternatives for controlling mosquitoes that transmit the West Nile virus through citizen science, experimentation and dialog.

The aim of DINA is to test standardized monitoring of flying insects and to analyse factors that correlate with the drastic decline of insects in nature reserves. 

ORYCS investigates the suitability of wildlife management strategies as a climate-friendly land use option. Together with stakeholders, it develops conflict-regulating approaches.

The project sheds light on the dilemmas of sustainability that arise from incompatible goals, interests and types of knowledge and develops guidelines for sound sustainability knowledge.

The study examines the biodiversity awareness, attitudes and acceptance of measures of stakeholder groups in agriculture and forestry in order to achieve more effective nature conservation. 

The MORE STEP research project investigates processes of change in the ecosystem of the Mongolian steppe and their socio-economic and ecological causes and consequences. The mobility of wild and domesticated herd animals plays a central role here.

The EU project TRI-HP is investigating the social acceptance and requirements of innovative trigeneration systems in order to make renewable energy technology for residential buildings user-friendly and effective.

The aim of the BMBF project is to develop and evaluate resource-efficient wastewater concepts. ISOE is responsible for a fundamental institutional and stakeholder analysis, the sustainability assessment from a socio-ecological perspective and a final transfer potential analysis.

The aim of the IntenKS research project is to develop an ecologically and economically sustainable concept for the optimized material and energy recovery of sewage sludge.

The central element of the s:ne transfer project is an innovation and transformation platform (ITP), which aims to facilitate cooperation with political, social and economic players as well as research institutions in the region.

The ENGAGE project investigates the conditions under which the participation and commitment of citizens to sustainability can lead to “sustainable public welfare”.

Using citizens' forums and participatory methods, the research project investigates mobility needs and barriers to the use of car sharing, electric mobility & co.

Research findings must be combined with impulses for social change processes. In a study, ISOE explores transdisciplinarity as a research mode in the complex field of climate adaptation.

The project is developing an electromobility concept for Darmstadt-Rhine-Main-Neckar, analyzing needs and potential greenhouse gas savings and integrating regional mobility services.

The SuPraStadt research project is investigating in three real-world laboratories how the needs of residents in the fields of housing, open space and mobility can be reconciled with the ecological requirements of sustainability.

The netWORKS 4 project is investigating the networking of water infrastructures in urban areas. The aim is to initiate dialog processes on their sustainable design.

For sustainable planning, ISOE is updating Hamburg's water demand forecast for 2020-2050, taking into account climate change, COVID-19 effects and innovations in water-saving technologies.

The program aims to promote the capacities of young scientists in Africa for transdisciplinary research and to support scientific contributions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In a qualitative study, ISOE maps perceptions and attitudes in society towards climate change and climate protection.

The aim of the project is to determine the potential demand for process water in Frankfurt am Main and at the same time to identify ways in which this demand can be met.

The pilot project investigates the potential of current developments in the field of artificial intelligence (especially machine learning) to support knowledge integration in research practice.

The ARL – Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association works in an inter- and transdisciplinary manner. Our study highlights the added value of this approach.

The INTERESS-I research project is dedicated to the development of innovative and sustainable strategies for the water management of urban green spaces.

The study analyzes the dynamics of change in household water consumption in Hamburg to support forecasts and sustainable strategies.

The project identifies transfer potential within the framework of research at the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung. Taking into account the knowledge needs of target groups, transfer products are identified and designed in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders.

In its water demand forecast, ISOE combines data from influencing factors such as demographics and climate.

On behalf of HAMBURG WASSER, the project team is developing a forecasting model to estimate the daily drinking water demand in the company's supply area.

The project is developing dialog and communication formats, such as web-based information and participation platforms, in order to constructively regulate conflicts and the context of renaturation. 

AJAP II investigates environmentally friendly measures against the Asian bush mosquito, tests their effectiveness and examines their acceptance by the population and local authorities.

The junior research group PlastX, led by ISOE, is examining the societal role of plastic and the associated environmental impacts. Within this framework, the team of social and natural scientists is attempting to find out how plastic might be used more sustainably.

The sub-project of the PlastX junior research group investigates the implementation process of management strategies to protect the seas and oceans.

In the sub-project of the PlastX junior research group, a concept is being developed to assess the environmental risks posed by microplastics in flowing waters.

The aim of the project is to dynamically integrate current advances in socio-ecological research in relevant scientific fields.

Under the leadership of ISOE, the PlastX junior research group is investigating the social role of plastics and their effects on the environment.

The project empirically investigates how the social participation of different population groups can be improved through sustainable consumption.

Capital4Health takes a transdisciplinary approach to researching how healthy lifestyles can be promoted, linking science, target groups and health stakeholders.

In collaboration with students and lecturers from the Master's degree course in Communication Design at Mainz University of Applied Sciences, six communication campaigns were created to appeal to young people for sustainable consumption.

The aim of the project is to support the transformation process towards a sustainable, bio-based economy based on natural cycles. 

The project is investigating how underused single-family homes in rural areas can be used more efficiently and adapted to demographic changes.

The PLASTRAT project is developing solutions to reduce plastic in water bodies in urban areas and investigating consumer perceptions of environmentally friendly plastic.

The IMAGINE project is investigating how green infrastructure management can be made sustainable at regional level in five European countries.

The aim of EKLIPSE is to meet the knowledge needs of political and societal decision-makers where biodiversity and ecosystem services are affected.

The aim of the project is to improve the performance of wastewater pond facilities. To this end, ISOE is investigating aspects of governance and developing management structures and financial controlling procedures.

The research network in the BioFAVOR II project demonstrates the technical feasibility of a novel low-tech process for converting faeces from composting toilets into products that are hygienically and ecologically safe.

The research project aims to position the “Blue Angel” ecolabel among children and young people as a trustworthy source for sustainable consumption.

HypoWave promotes a more sustainable use of water as a resource. Nutrients bound in wastewater are to be reused. 

The project develops and evaluates a modular system for the treatment of municipal wastewater, with a focus on industrial applications in Germany.

The aim of the project is to better anchor gender perspectives in climate policy. To this end, it is investigating the mechanisms of action between gender and climate policy.

ISOE accompanies and analyzes the transdisciplinary processes of the ENavi project, which is concerned with the system integration of various areas of energy supply in the course of the transformation of the energy system.

The netWORKS 4 project is investigating the networking of water infrastructures in urban areas. The aim is to initiate dialog processes on their sustainable design.

In order to raise environmental awareness, the project team is working together with pharmacy practice partners to develop materials that will be used and evaluated on a pilot basis in training and further education.

The LebensWert project is developing a management concept that helps small towns to secure their quality of life through improved infrastructure and quality of living.

The Renovate 60plus project is developing a communication concept to win over 60-year-old owners for energy-efficient and age-appropriate renovations.

The project analyzes water withdrawals and return flows in German river basins in order to better assess the impact of human activities on the water balance.

In its water demand forecast, ISOE combines data from influencing factors such as demographics and climate.

A concept for sustainable water management in an intelligently networked city is to be developed using the example of the southern Indian city of Coimbatore.

In addition to rational arguments, the transport transition also requires emotionality, enthusiasm and conviction. A workshop and an impulse paper shed light on behavior change and offer practical examples of sustainable behavior.

The TransImpact project analyzes how and with which methods transdisciplinary research can achieve the desired social and scientific effects.

WohnMobil develops models for the planning and implementation of communal mobility and housing services as well as land use.

The RoboCab project is researching user acceptance and requirements for autonomous vehicles in car-sharing and cab fleets.

ISOE supports the further development of the regional energy concept in order to strengthen cooperation between renewable energy stakeholders.

The project is developing a model for sustainable water resource management in the Rhine-Main region, involving all relevant stakeholders.

A consortium consisting of Leuphana University Lüneburg, ISOE and the Wuppertal Institute is carrying out the accompanying research for seven existing real-world laboratories in Baden-Württemberg.

The NamTip project investigates desertification tipping points in Namibia's savannahs, analyzes social and ecological factors and develops sustainable pasture management strategies.

The MORE STEP research project is investigating change processes in the ecosystem of the eastern Mongolian steppe and their possible consequences for nature and society. 

The project investigates how consumers perceive sustainable product characteristics and how companies can better design and communicate products.

In the Heat Consulting project, ISOE scientists are developing new approaches to reduce heat consumption in households.

Homes-uP examines the effects of demographic change on the stock of single-family homes. 

Previously tested instruments for saving electricity are to be disseminated in the electricity-saving advice project and combined with advice services offered by local authorities and consumer organizations. 

OPTIMASS investigates which adapted forms of water management enable important ecosystem services to be secured in the long term.

The aim of the study for the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung is to develop scenarios for sustainable mobility together with relevant social stakeholders and to design transformation paths.

The aim of the project is to develop elements of an integrated mobility strategy using the example of Hesse and to show ways in which a sustainable and social mobility culture can be shaped at state level.

In the PowerFlex project, ISOE is investigating the spread and use of air conditioning systems in private households in Germany. The aim is to model and more accurately estimate the level of future energy consumption.

The project team is developing a new classification of consumption point types for HAMBURG WASSER for a more detailed recording of the customer base.

In the noise breaks project, the scientists are investigating how the new runway utilization concept at Frankfurt Airport, which is intended to lead to a reduction in noise, is assessed by the population.

Using the Rhine-Main region as an example, ISOE and the Institute of Human Geography at Goethe University Frankfurt are investigating how new mobility services can be integrated into the public transport system and transport planning.

The aim of the project is to raise doctors' awareness of the environmental relevance of pharmaceutical residues in water by integrating the topic into their basic and further training.

In the project, the risks of discharges of medicinal chemicals from retirement homes, nursing homes and hospices are assessed with stakeholder groups and action strategies are developed.

The project investigates conflicts of interest between health and environmental protection caused by pharmaceutical residues in the environment.

The IndUK project pools results from SÖF projects on climate protection and change, promotes knowledge transfer and develops practical strategies for climate-friendly behavior.

ISOE evaluates water partnerships for climate adaptation, examines joint solutions and develops a concept for transferability to other countries.

The project investigates the social and cultural values of water bodies in order to better integrate social perspectives into future renaturation projects. 

On behalf of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the project partners are investigating the synergies arising from environmental and social policy measures. The aim is to be able to make better use of them and communicate them.

Scientific staff at ISOE developed the Social Ecology research programme, and, after a process of critical reflection, published the results as a book.