STL – Spatial Transformation Laboratories
Our team at the Spatial Transformation Laboratories (STL) – Design and Process consists of ten professionals working both in practice and academia. This allows us to introduce practical expertise gained in private planning offices, public administration, real estate development and grassroots initiatives. This unique combination enables us to act as a transdisciplinary interface between practice and academia which adds value to both teaching and research. The STL are co-led by Executive in residence PD Dr. Joris Van Wezemael and Dr. Markus Nollert.
As an interdisciplinary research group, we have dedicated ourselves to the exploration of spatial transformation – especially in Switzerland – focusing on inward settlement development and the reorganisation of urban and regional functional spaces. A lot of research is required before we truly understand how transformation and densification with complex ownership patterns can work, what kind of density and what typologies support vibrant urban life, and how we can deal with the desirable and undesirable consequences of said transformations. We want to establish how to support cities and metropolitan areas with integrated growth and transformation strategies in order to deal with an increased demand for mobility, social infrastructures and public space. We also see the necessity to make spatial development more inclusive, explore how technologies such as cloud computing, AI or the increased availability of sensors can be used to support participation and help to develop a bottom-up understanding of spatial transformation.
Research Group Leaders
Dr. Markus Nollert
Dr. Markus Nollert focuses his research on spatial transformation and planning methods. His area of expertise lies at the interface between conceptual design work, political consultation and implementation as well as public participation. He also explores these fields as co-founder and partner of urbanista.ch with additional expertise in the development of suitable processes of collaborative planning and decision-making in multi-actor networks. As co-founder of Urban Equipe and Nextzürich he deals with the challenges of public participation, civic tech and participatory budgeting.
Kontakt
Inst. f. Raum- u. Landschaftsentw.
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5
8093
Zürich
Switzerland
Dr. Joris Van Wezemael
Executive in residence PD Dr. sc. nat. Joris Van Wezemael’s research focuses on urban transformation. Contemporary planning theory, housing, real estate systems and civic tech define his main fields of expertise. Beyond academia Joris Van Wezemael is CEO and partner with urban transformation specialist IVO Innenentwicklung AG and co-founder of a Civic Data Intelligence agency. Previously he was professor of Urban Geography and Spatial Development at the University of Fribourg and managing director of a real estate investment foundation in the Pensimo group.
Kontakt
Inst. f. Raum- u. Landschaftsentw.
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5
8093
Zürich
Switzerland
External Staff
Esther Derungs-Frey
Felix Günther
Tristan Lanuzel
Reto Nebel
Former Staff
Dr. Theodora Papamichail
Manuela Ronchetti