Deutsches Institut für Stadtbaukunst

The aim of the DIS is to establish the model of sustainable, durable and beautiful construction for all urban planning in Germany. Cities need urban design again! The institute is therefore dedicated to researching and teaching urban design. This brings together the urban character and aesthetic design of the city with social, economic, ecological, technical and cultural requirements.

Since its foundation in 2008, the DIS has carried out numerous research projects and published the results in several book series and individual publications. In addition, the institute takes concrete action: at symposiums and conferences, it works with leading experts from all over Germany to develop catalogues of measures to bring about positive changes in urban development practice. The disciplines of architecture, urban planning, spatial planning, green space planning, transport planning and civil engineering, which have drifted apart in recent years, are to be brought back together through urban architecture.

Theses on Sustainability in Urban Development:

• Neighborhoods consist of buildings with long-term usable typologies that can adapt to changing needs.
• Small-scale structures, where the townhouse on its plot represents the standard form, allow for flexibility in response to evolving uses.
• Solid construction methods and durable structures promote the continued use of buildings and foster a long-term sense of identity between residents and their homes.
• Mixed-use neighborhoods that enable everyday walkability form the foundation of a compact, climate-friendly city and help reduce individual motorized traffic.
• Large trees in parks, avenues, and unsealed courtyards are an essential component of a climate-resilient city. They enhance the beauty of public urban spaces and, in turn, the well-being of their inhabitants.