Formulating, justifying, and publicly communicating positions is an important skill for spatial planners. This was precisely the focus of the course “Spatial Planning Positions on the Climate Crisis” led by Sibylla Zech and Dragana Damjanovic.

The students examined the challenges posed by the climate crisis for spatial planning and their own attitudes toward it. The content focused on landuni's theme of the year: “Mobility, Public Services, and Digitalization.”

Using discursive formats, they formulated and refined their positions and shot a video to communicate them.

The following positions were developed in the 2025 summer semester:

The links are only available in German.

Position #1  Only a climate-adapted space is a high-quality meeting place

Our spatial planning position on the climate crisis is clear: only a climate-adapted space is a high-quality meeting place. Quality of life is created where protection from heat, traffic, and pollutants interacts with comfort and experience. Accessibility, sightlines, seating, play and exercise areas, and lively design promote social interaction and invite people to linger. Climate-relevant elements such as water, vegetation, light-colored and water-permeable surfaces not only have a regulating effect on the microclimate, but also make places livable and enjoyable. We demonstrate how these principles can be applied in practice using the example of the main square in Drosendorf.

Group: Lukas Juricek, Catherina Rombola & Keven Türetken

Video on the position, opens an external URL in a new window | Poster on the position, opens an external URL in a new window

Position #2  The climate crisis must be given significant weight in project evaluations.

The climate crisis must play a central role in project evaluations. Often, decisions—such as whether to build a road or redesign a main square—are based primarily on economic factors: stimulating the economy, promoting tourism, or administrative costs. But that is not enough. If we ignore the climate crisis, soil loss, the cooling function of green spaces, or groundwater protection, we are being dishonest. Only when we include these long-term environmental costs can we get a complete picture. The climate crisis is not a distant threat – it affects us now. An honest cost-benefit analysis must therefore include climate and environmental aspects so that we can make sustainable, responsible decisions. Because good decisions take into account not only today's profits, but also tomorrow's consequences.

Group: Stefan Pregesbauer & Elisabeth Schröer

Video on the position, opens an external URL in a new window

Position #3  Preventive, climate-resilient spatial planning requires citizen-oriented, digital information and participation tools.

The severe flooding events in 2024 have clearly demonstrated how vulnerable many communities in Austria are to the increasing consequences of the climate crisis. Regions and population groups that are inadequately prepared are particularly hard hit. Our position is therefore clear: proactive, climate-resilient spatial planning must rely on citizen-friendly, digital information and participation tools.

The tool developed is intended to promote effective and transparent management of flood risks, empower citizens to prepare for flood events in a preventive manner, and provide decision support in the event of a disaster. This is based on linking technical data (e.g., measurements) with local knowledge. A mutual flow of information between the population, administration, and emergency services is essential for collaborative and effective flood protection.

Digital applications offer great potential here: they make it possible to provide information on complex risks and options for action in an easily accessible, clear, and up-to-date manner, while at the same time offering the opportunity to systematically incorporate feedback from the population.

Group: Franca Dörner, Felix Erhart & Tom Frising

Video on the position, opens an external URL in a new window | Poster on the position, opens an external URL in a new window

Position #4 Even the smallest administrative level can tackle the major problem of the climate crisis

The climate crisis is a global challenge that requires differentiated, context-specific responses at the local level. True to the guiding principle of “think global, act local,” a decisive lever lies within the scope of action of municipalities—the smallest administrative units. Here, in the immediate living environment of the population, political decisions have a tangible impact and can be translated into concrete measures.

Due to their proximity to the population, municipalities have the potential to develop and implement effective solutions. From this perspective, Drobot emphasizes the importance of gradual change. Climate protection does not necessarily have to start with large-scale projects. Rather, low-threshold measures can already provide impetus for further change processes.

The central idea is this: small, easily implementable measures with a high leverage effect – effective locally and at the same time transferable to other rural communities. The overarching objective is to anchor climate protection where its effects can be directly experienced: in people's everyday lives – in small ways that can have a big impact.

Group: Dilara Efe, Azra Sakic & Sakari Tapaninen

Video on the position, opens an external URL in a new window | Comic: Drobot and the secret of the sponge city, opens an external URL in a new window | Comic: Drobot goes for ice cream, opens an external URL in a new window | Comic: Drobot on two wheels, opens an external URL in a new window