Urban Ecosystems
Urbanization is a driving force of global environmental and social change. Sustainable, climate-resilient urban development that supports healthy human communities and functioning ecosystems is therefore a crucial future task facing contemporary society. Key will be to promote nature, biodiversity and ecosystem services across urban landscapes.
The aim of the research area "Urban Ecosystems" is to advance the fundamental understanding of the diverse interactions between urban nature and human society through inter- and transdisciplinary research. In doing so, research aims to develop and test strategies for urban landscape transformation through nature-based solutions.
To learn more about this research focus within the School of Life Sciences / Department of Life Science Systems, you can contact: urbanecology(at)tum.de
Project highlights
Research focuses on urban biodiversity, climate change adaptation through green infrastructure, urban forestry and urban trees, and urban agriculture. Selected projects give deeper insights into our work.
CUT – Climate and Urban Trees
ECOLOPES
- ClimateContainerTrees – Trees in planters as an urban climate-effective measure for adaptation to climate change (Prof. Ludwig)
- GP – Ecosystem Services of Urban Green at Public Squares in Munich (Prof. Pretzsch)
- Green City of the Future – How growing cities become climate resilient (Prof. Pauleit)
- LandKlif – Restoration of urban biodiversity and ecosystem services to improve climatic resilience and invasion resistance (Prof. Kollmann)
- NutzWasser – Alternative water resources for irrigation of urban greenery as well as agricultural irrigation in vegetable production (Prof. Drewes)
