Science

International field studies for future spatial planners

International field study projects address global challenges and issues of spatial planning and open up opportunities for cooperation with planning practitioners.

Asia, Europe, North America

Oman, USA, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines

Funding period: 2018-2020, 2022-2024, 2026

Studierende bei einer Feldstudie im Oman — Field study in Oman. Photo: TU Dortmund University

Studierende in Manila — Field trip to Manila in spring 2024. Photo: TU Dortmund

Due to rising global temperatures as a result of progressing climate change, our societies are faced with ever-increasing challenges. Urban and peri-urban areas in particular are affected by a sharp increase in air temperature, which can have a direct impact on people’s lifestyles and health.

As part of its funding activities aimed at promoting science, the Wilo-Foundation is supporting field trips of the Spatial Planning programme of TU Dortmund University.

Studierende beim Abschlussworkshop — Final workshop at the VGU Hanoi. Photo: TU Dortmund University

During their bachelor studies, groups of students work on water-sensitive urban planning for urban and metropolitan areas.

2026 “Integrated Climate Resilience Planning in Bacolod, Philippines”
2024 “Natural and Man-made causes of urban floodings. Options for planning interventions towards mitigation and support livelihoods of urban poor settlers in Metro Manila”
2023 “Development and use of Digital Twins for campuses in Dortmund and Ho Chi Minh City for climate adaptation measures”
2022 “Sucking up or soaking in?” – Climate Resilient Upgrading of Informal Settlements in Bangkok
2018-20 “Water-sensitive urban design in fast growing cities” – Contribution to a sustainable quality of life, building resilience and adaptation to climate change using the examples of Berlin and San Francisco
2018 “Water sensitive urban design and sustainable water-management in Muscat”, in cooperation with the German University of Technology in Muscat, Oman

Scientific articles are written and published based on the research findings.

Photo Header: TU Dortmund University

Our funding partner

Since its founding more than 55 years ago (1968), TU Dortmund University has developed a highly diverse profile, encompassing 17 faculties ranging from science and engineering to social sciences and culture studies. The university has about 30,000 students and 6,600 employees, including 325 professors. It offers 80 degree programmes in traditional and innovative subjects, including some unique programmes such as science journalism or spatial planning, and a broad range of programmes for future teachers of all school types.

The Department of Spatial Planning at TU Dortmund University is an interdisciplinary field of research and practice that is influenced by engineering and social science, exploring the different demands of society on the built and unbuilt environment. The history of spatial planning began in Dortmund as an independently institutionalised discipline in 1968. Half a century after its founding, the Department of Spatial Planning has become one of the largest planning science institutions in Europe. It has been Germany’s strongest research department in this field for years.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forms the global framework for action for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. Our funding commitment also supports these sustainability goals. With this project, we are making a contribution to achieving the following SDGs:

What are the SDGs?