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Research Unit

Sustainable Society

Resource-intensive consumption patterns cannot be sustained within planetary boundaries. But technological innovations alone are not enough to bring about the necessary changes. Social innovations that could reduce resource consumption are not yet being sufficiently utilized since these innovations require far-reaching changes in everyday practices, infrastructures and institutions.

In the Research Unit “Sustainable Society”, we analyze how changes in the areas of housing, transportation, recreation and nutrition are promoted or hindered. We investigate blockages caused by different needs, conflicts of interest and unequal power relations. We develop concepts and experimental spaces to identify unsustainable practices and to test new, sustainable approaches.

Our research focuses on three research strands:

Transformation of settlement areas for improved quality of life, climate adaptation and biodiversity

The challenges of urbanization, societal change, global warming and biodiversity loss are particularly evident in urban areas. In our research we investigate how cities can contribute to biodiversity and an improved quality of life through green infrastructures. We analyze how traffic and settlement areas can be converted into nature spaces and how conflicts of use can be constructively resolved. In addition, we investigate how cities can enable experiences of nature and implement nature-based solutions effectively and in a participatory manner.

Post-fossil mobility cultures

Motorized traffic causes significant environmental damage, global warming and health risks. The necessary “mobility transition” is faltering and leads to conflicts, for example over the use of road space. In our research, we investigate how environmentally friendly and climate-neutral means of transportation can be established to reduce the dependence on private cars and to promote the combination of different mobility options. Our focus here is on a just and participatory development and the broad implementation of such options.

Sufficiency in everyday life and in companies

Sufficiency of action makes it possible to satisfy needs with fewer natural resources being consumed, thus ensuring a good life within planetary boundaries. We develop concepts for resource-efficient living, consumption and nutrition and investigate how everyday practices and value chains can be shaped to be efficient and needs-oriented . In social learning processes, we test how institutional and political frameworks for sufficiency can be created and how the relevant skills can be acquired.

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