About the Department of Geography and Spatial Planning
We are an international and multilingual team of more than 50 academics from various disciplines who work together to examine spatial development processes on a local, regional and international level. The interface of spatial research and more applied spatial planning perspectives is a fertile ground for timely research endeavors and policy recommendations derived thereof.
Our study programmes
Research for a sustainable future
The members of the department board, 2022
Interdisciplinarity perspectives on socio-ecological transitions
How do urban spaces develop and how can architecture and spatial planning steer this process in order to make our cities livable and sustainable? How does location, access to green spaces and accessibility to public transport influence property prices? What are the socio-economic and spatial implications of international migration? How can spatial data be collected with the help of digital devices and crowdsourcing? How can regional economies, in times of climate change and resource scarcity, adapt their business models towards a sustainable production system? What impacts do development strategies have on sustainability in micro- and macro-regions?
In the field of geography, spatial planning, and architecture, we conduct research to find answers to these and other questions. We are particularly interested in understanding transformation processes and in developing recommendations for sustainable transitions.
Digital methods of data gathering and analysis as well as the development of digital tools for visualisation play an increasing role in our research and teaching.
Home of renowned international networks & collaborations
European Migration Network (EMN), FRANET, UniGR-Center for Border Studies, Chaire de la Ville d’Esch on Urban Regeneration, GAMMA-UL Chair
The Department of Geography and Spatial Planning hosts the National Contact Point for the EMN (European Migration Network), the FRANET National Focal Point for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and coordinates the UniGR-Center for Border Studies.
Luxembourg European Migration Network (EMN)
The European Migration Network is a network of migration and asylum experts who work together to meet the information needs of Union institutions and of Member State’s authorities. The network provides up-to-date, objective, reliable and comparable information on migration and asylum, to support policymaking in the European Union. It was established by Council Decision 2008/381/EC.
Chaire de la Ville d’Esch on Urban Regeneration
The Chair was established in 2019 through a multi-annual convention with the City of Esch. The Chair attempts to construct a conceptually sophisticated understanding of urban regeneration, based on formal and informal exchanges with the City administration and, in particular, local residents and stakeholders using a vacant shop in Esch.
GAMMA-UL Chair in Regional Integration and Sustainability
The chair is responsible for coordinating innovative research on policy coherence for sustainable development (PCSD). The Chair works with coordinators of other branches in order to contribute to the program’s impacts on civil society, governmental decision-making, and capacity-building and training. It will also help to reinforce science-policy coherence by focusing on how information is collected and utilized by academics and decision-makers. The Chair was established in August 2018 through an inter-institutional agreement between the Instituto de Ecología, AC (INECOL), Xalapa, Mexico and the University of Luxembourg (DGEO).
FRANET National Focal Point
FRANET is the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights’ multidisciplinary research network. It is composed of contractors in each EU Member State, the UK and in countries which have Observer status. Upon request, the contractors provide reports and relevant data on fundamental rights issues to the Agency (FRA) to facilitate the Agency’s comparative analyses. The FRANET National Focal Point in Luxembourg fosters networking activities and provides contracted reports and data to FRA.
UniGR-Center for Border Studies
The UniGR-Center for Border Studies is a thematic cross-border network of border scholars from the six member universities of the University of the Greater Region (University of Luxembourg, Technische Universität Kaiserlautern, University of Liège, University of Lorraine, Saarland University, Trier University). Combining the projects of the participating universities, the network supports border research, and ensures greater international visibility. The network has been launched in December 2014 on the initiative of researchers form the Greater Region. As a founding member, the Department of Geography and Spatial Planning is proud to host the coordination unit of the UniGR-Center for Border Studies.
Meet the team
People driven by scientific curiosity, interdisciplinary openness, and the aspiration to make the world a more sustainable and just place
Over 50 members from various disciplines (geography, spatial planning, architecture, urban design, sociology, political sciences, economics, law, anthropology, and others) bring in a large variety of geographical and educational backgrounds. This setting creates a particularly stimulating environment for research and teaching endeavours. We value critical thinking, plurality in research concepts and methods, and dialogues with all kinds of societal stakeholders.
