Research

The concept "Transfer" has long been a natural part of the agenda, as we wish to fulfil a social responsibility through our Urbanism studies. For this reason, the subject matter cannot be addressed exclusively in seminar rooms, workrooms or offices. For the Institute for European Urban Studies (IfEU), ‘transfer’ means leaving the university and venturing into other spaces. Through the creation of posters and interactive activities, visitors are given access to Urbanism content. These outreach formats encourage staff and students to develop and test ways of communicating their knowledge and research in a manner that is accessible to a wider audience.

Knowledge transfer requires platforms where different viewpoints and attitudes can come together. Teaching outcomes and research approaches are presented in Weimar, across the region and nationwide, both through the presentation of student planning projects in public contexts – for example, before the city council or at public meetings – and as part of panel discussions or exhibits.

One notable series of events is the ‘Weimar Urban Talks’, which, in cooperation with the City of Weimar, publicly debate current issues in urban policy. The IfEU’s involvement in the SDG Campus (Sustainable Development Goals) also aims to address the sustainability goals through the institute’s own research priorities and to translate them into an online format in the form of self-study modules.

Weimar Urban Talks
SDG Campus
IfEU Anniversary (2024)

Other established outreach initiatives include the participation of degree programmes in Urbanism in the University Day for National Urban Development Policy and in the university exhibit ‘summaery’, which has met with great interest from the wider community. Furthermore, where relevant topics arise, the Institute also takes part in the Long Night of Sciences and the Night of Museums.

Alongside research and coursework, the concept of knowledge transfer is a pillar that the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has recognised as part of its mission and is developing an understanding of through the founding of an inter-faculty working group.

The IfEU working groups are initiatives set up by teaching / research associates, PhD students and professors at the Institute. Each group focuses on a specific subject area, bringing together different disciplinary perspectives. Based on joint interests in specific topics, the groups define their own objectives and working formats independently. The practical organisation is self-directed and may include, for example, brown-bag lunches, reading groups or joint events. 

WG | Weimar Housing Research
WG | SÖRF – socio-ecological spatial research / RiTT teaching project – Spaces in Transformation Thuringia
WG | POST – Post-socialist Spaces and Transformations
WG | City and Work

The IfEU annual conferences raise the profile of IfEU research topics amongst the specialist community. The annual conferences reflect the diverse research priorities of the professorships and staff at the Institute and, consequently, its mission: the study and shaping of urban and spatial development guided by the principle of spatial justice (see IfEU profile).  Through a variety of formats – keynote speeches, panels, exhibits and panel discussions – the symposiums provide a space for specialist and transdisciplinary exchange and networking. Coursework and research are interwoven through the involvement of students or by integrating the symposium themes into coursework. The IfEU annual conferences form an important building block for the development and consolidation of the Institute’s key research areas (see IfEU research landscape).

2026: Will we continue to live as usual? Social transformation and the spatial materialisation of housing
2025: Spatial conflicts surrounding socio-ecological transformation
2024: Civil Society Engagement and Urban Regeneration
2023: Authoritarian Urbanism: Global Manifestations, Knowledge Exchange and Contestation
2020/2021: Spatial Planning and Forms
of Political Governance 2019: Land. Economy.Society
2018: Endless Housing Issues (page inactive)
2017: Rurban Landscapes
2016: Housing for All?!
2015: The Future of City Centres
2014: Urban Austerity
 

The open access publication series “IfEU.OPEN” of the Institut for European Studies offers the opportunity to purpose to publish distinguished theses by students. It serves the purpose to make empirical and theoretical contributions by students accessible to a wider public.

Within the publication series "IfEU EDITION" the Institute for European Urban Studies aims at publishing contributions that reflect the wide variety of disciplines and approaches to urbanism and architecture that is a trademark of both the institute and of Bauhaus University in general. Latest research and teaching outcomes are made available to an interested audience and brought into public debate.

"IfEU.BOOKS" offers an insight into the research and publishing activities at the Institute for European Urban Studies (IfEU). These books have been produced by the IfEU’s professors and reflect the Institute’s key research areas. In this way, the IfEU members aim to highlight the breadth of their academic research. >>> Go to IfEU.BOOKS

The research areas of PhD students at the Institute for European Urban Studies range from Urban Design and Urban Planning, urban sociology, Conservation and History of Architecture, to architecture, landscape architecture and building management.

At the IfEU, only an ‘individual Ph.D. programme’ is currently available. The Ph.D. is developed outside a structured programme in consultation with an advisor. The Ph.D. topics at the Institute for European Urban Studies focus on the field of urban studies. 

The Institute for European Urban Studies and the Bauhaus Research School offer intensive opportunities for academic exchange (colloquia, the Night of Science, hybrid forums, writing groups and workshops) for early-career researchers at the doctoral stage. 

Here you will find an overview of past conferences, workshops, round-table discussions and symposia that are representative of the research carried out at the Institute:

KoopWohl
URBAN-RURAL-ASSEMBLY
Research Workshop – Home
Ownership Winter School
Vogtland Pioneers