AESOP Digital Archive

Institutional Repository of AESOP | Association of European Schools of Planning

easily ingest documents, articles, PhD theses, reports, datasets and their corresponding Dublin Core metadata
open up this content to local and global audiences, thanks to the OAI-PMH interface and Google Scholar optimizations
issue permanent urls and trustworthy identifiers through the integration with handle.net

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Communities in the AESOP Digital Archive

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

I - AESOP | Association of European Schools of Planning
Promoting Excellence in Planning Education and Research
II - Events
Congresses, Workshops, Meetings, Lectures and Summer School Events
III - Excellence in Planning Education
Safeguarding the development of AESOP’s Quality Recognition Programme
IV - Awards
Awards in Teaching, Best Published Paper, Best Congress Paper
V - Journals
International, peer-reviewed, open-access journals
VI - YA Network | AESOP Young Academics Network
Encouraging the active participation and exchange of academic work from PhD students and Early-Stage Researchers
VII - Thematic Groups
Working groups on specific themes, established in order to create more effective platforms for debate and discussion amongst AESOP members

Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
Territorial risk and vulnerability: planning tools at municipal scale
(AESOP, 2012) Samakovlija, Marcella; Colucci, Angela
This paper explores the relationship between territorial planning and risk management, drawing on findings from the Quater-Interreg IIIB research project. The study emphasises the importance of territorial knowledge and the role of planning in mitigating risks such as floods, landslides, and other natural and anthropogenic hazards. A method was developed to help municipalities evaluate both short- and long-term decisions for transforming risky land into secure territory, with particular focus on reducing vulnerability components. Case studies from Toscolano Maderno and Seriate (Italy) illustrate how planning tools can be integrated with emergency plans and aligned with existing regional legislation, such as Lombardy’s 12/2005 Act. The paper argues that rather than creating new tools, enhancing existing planning instruments with territorial knowledge is more effective for mitigation, prevention, and response. Planners are seen as crucial actors in the recovery phase, particularly in fostering resilience and building safer, adaptive cities.
Access status: Open Access ,
Shared information space between cross-border capital regions
(AESOP, 2012) Grišakov, Kristi
This paper explores the role of digital tools and open data in shaping planning processes in cross-border regions, focusing on the case of Tallinn and Helsinki in the Baltic Sea Region. Although not officially recognised as a cross-border region, the two cities share multiple joint projects, including a proposed tunnel connection. The study examines how information and communication technologies can support the creation of a digitally enhanced shared urban space and address the challenges of integrating physical and virtual dimensions of planning. It argues that functional cross-border regions require shifting the discussion from logistics and infrastructure to shared urban values, services, and citizenship. The paper also highlights methodological challenges in mapping digital layers of cross-border spaces, given rapid technological change and the complexity of multiple actors across scales. The findings suggest that actively using ICT to create shared knowledge and interaction could serve as a benchmark for planning international cross-border urban regions.
Access status: Open Access ,
The expansion of renewable energies – powered by regional energy concepts?
(AESOP, 2012) Baumgart, Sabine
This paper discusses the role of Regional Energy Concepts in advancing the use of renewable energy in Germany, where national policy aims for a significant increase in renewable energy and decentralised provision by 2020. Renewable systems have strong spatial implications, requiring coordination across regions due to grid limitations and storage challenges. Spatial planning, while lacking direct responsibility for energy policy, can help balance spatial development and mitigate adverse impacts. Based on a study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (2008–2011), the paper assesses case studies of regional planning measures, administrative structures, and instruments for integrating renewable energies. Findings highlight strategic elements such as stakeholder networks, financial incentives, wind and solar cadasters, preference areas, and development concepts. The paper concludes that although regional planning instruments have potential, effective strategies at the regional level remain underdeveloped, limiting progress towards national energy goals.
Access status: Open Access ,
The commercial real estate production in Istanbul in the globalization process
(AESOP, 2012) Gökyer, Gökçen
Istanbul, as Turkey’s most developed city and primary gateway to the global economy, plays a central role in imports and exports and is increasingly integrated into global city networks. Its rapid population growth and economic liberalisation since the 1980s have fuelled demand for commercial real estate, particularly in service and industrial sectors. Drawing on world city theories by Friedmann, Sassen, and Castells, the study analyses Istanbul’s trajectory towards becoming a global city, using construction statistics from 2002–2010 across sectors such as hotels, offices, wholesale and retail, traffic and communication, industry and storage, and public services. Comparisons with Ankara and Izmir highlight Istanbul’s dominance in attracting foreign capital and global functions, though challenges remain in infrastructure, social inequality, and integration into the broader global network. The findings suggest Istanbul is still at an early stage of the globalization process but demonstrates clear characteristics of a world city, with commercial real estate production aligning with global city functions.
Access status: Open Access ,
New strategies for risk communication and knowledge: the experience of the e-learning tool of the European research project ENSURE
(AESOP, 2012) Pesaro, Giulia
This paper presents the development of an e-learning tool within the European research project ENSURE, designed as a new strategy for risk communication and knowledge dissemination. The tool aims to strengthen community resilience to disasters and climate-related hazards by improving understanding of vulnerability and resilience factors. Organised as a self-guided online course, it provides theories, methodologies, tools, and case studies derived from ENSURE project activities, adapted for digital learning. Targeted at students, practitioners, and technicians, the platform seeks to disseminate project results and raise broader awareness of vulnerability and resilience issues. The paper discusses the goals, challenges, design choices, and website architecture underlying the tool, highlighting its potential to enhance communication and engagement with complex risk-related topics.