For over 50 years, the Institute of Regional Science (IfR) of KIT has analyzed structures and processes of land use as well as ¬¬effects of natural hazards. The IfR’s thematic and regional focus is on the regions of the global south, often still referred to as “underdeveloped“. Its interdisciplinary research team develops concepts to analyze and resolve conflicts. By means of an intervention theory-based approach, efficacy and effects of measures of development cooperation are studied. The institute’s guiding principle is a close cooperation between research, teaching and applied planning at the interface of geo, natural and social science.

Caused by climate change, the influence of natural extreme events with disastrous socio-economic effects (“natural disasters“) is constantly increasing, threatening  humans, their living spaces as well as biodiversity on earth. The regions of the global south are among those most affected.

The IfR cooperates with the regions of the global south to conceive spatial development concepts adapted to the particular natural landscapes and economic and social conditions to find sustainable and future-oriented solutions for present challenges and those to be expected in future.

The Institute of Regional Science (IfR) organizes the international Master’s degree course in Regional Science/Spatial planning which addresses students from countries of the global south or willing to be trained for a job focussing on these regions. The master’s degree course includes three different study programs based on regional science, the analysis of special challenges of developing and newly industrialized countries and planning concepts derived from these challenges. Besides a four-term master’s degree program at KIT, the IfR offers two cross-border programs including two semesters in Karlsruhe, Germany and two semesters in Concepción/Chile or Córdoba/Argentina respectively.

Fields of activity: Amongst others, graduates work in public spatial planning, development cooperation, climate, nature and environment protection, disaster preparedness and many other fields which increasingly come to the fore today, to help to create a sustainable, environmentally compatible and socially fair global future.