Ekaterina Gladkova

From April 7–9, researchers from ISTB and Ilia State University / Tbilisi visited Tallinn. They met colleagues from academia, the Municipality of Tallinn, NGOs, and architectural practice. The program included visits to projects such as SOFTacademy, living room street and Laagna Garden, as well as guided tours through major mass housing districts including Mustamäe, Lasnamäe, and Väike-Õismäe. The trip offered valuable insights into Tallinn’s approaches to housing renovation, participation, and sustainable neighborhood transformation.

ISTB

The two-week Spring School in Kosovo has kicked off in collaboration with the University of Pristina and the Hochschule Luzern. Working across sites in Gjakova, Gjilan, and Prizren, the program brings an exciting start to an intensive exchange on the ground. Made possible by the support of GIZ Kosovo and SECO.

The semester program for the upcoming semester is now online. Here you will find the different events and their contents. We are looking forward to exciting results.

Stephanie Mauer

For whom was the city of Karlsruhe designed, and which groups were overlooked in the process? On March 26 at 7 p.m., TRIALOG will delve deeper into these questions, take a look back at Weinbrenner, and explore how feminist urban planning could bring about change. As part of the event, Stephanie Mauer will present her master’s thesis on feminist urban planning, using Karlsruhe as a case study.

ISTB

The final presentation on February 26, 2026 marked the closing milestone of an intense and insightful semester. Students presented their final design projects, revealing a diverse range of approaches to the theme “Perspectives for Resilient Neighborhoods in Kuristiku.” We were pleased to welcome Robert Huber, architect and journalist from Berlin, as our guest critic. His feedback enriched the discussion. We would like to thank all students and partners for an exciting semester.

How can university studies become a laboratory for climate-friendly architecture – practical, experimental, and socially effective? The 7th BDA University Day of Architecture invites you to Berlin on March 13 to discuss teaching content and formats that systematically integrate real-world experience into university studies and, at the same time, create value for society in times of transformation through their programmatic orientation.

The semester program for the upcoming semester is now online. Here you will find the different events and their contents. We are looking forward to exciting results.

ISTB

On January 22, the second mid-term presentation of the urban design studio “Lasna!dee” took place. Within the framework of the design theme “Perspectives for Resilient Neighborhoods in Kuristiku,” the students presented their conceptual approaches, discussed the proposed goals, and showcased their initial design ideas. We are looking forward to the studio’s final results.

ISTB

Last week we said goodbye to the graduates of the summer term. Aimée, Lena, Lukas Nicolas, Sara and Stephanie presented their highly qualified master theses successfully, including typological design and strategical solutions, in local as well as in an international context. Well done – our congratulations!

On June 6th Niku Khaleghi has very successfully presented her doctoral thesis „Assessing the Walkability of Tehran Organic Street Network Based on the Networks Form“. The dissertation evaluates the diverse street patterns in the Iranian capital with regard to the cultural, spatial and geographical conditions specific characteristics that significantly influence walkability. The research addresses a worldwide relevant topic as important prerequisite for sustainable urban development, which in the context of Iran and many other cities in the Middle East still is in the shadow of the scientific debate and planning policies. Congratulations, Dr. Khaleghi!

The results of the seminar Metropol.x_Kharkiv present different facets of the Ukrainian city, right at the border with Russia. It is the second-largest city in Ukraine with a population of about two million, before Russia´s war of aggression broke out. As one of the most important scientific, industrial, trade, and transportation centers of Ukraine, Kharkiv has played a significant role in the nation’s history. The booklet is available at the chair.

The results of the seminar Metropol.x_Brussels present different facets of the Belgium capital. Causes and symptoms of segregation in Molenbeek, the importance of the Expo on the transportation infrastructure and the food culture are only some of the various topics that are discussed in individual maps, elaborated by the students. The booklet is available at the chair.

The book „Large Housing Estates under Socialism“ by Barbara Engel and Nikolas Rogge is now available via open access. Harnessing large urban housing estates in former socialist countries as a resource for the future housing supply requires innovative and practicable strategies and concepts. The contributors present experiences and perspectives from different disciplines on sustainable development of mass housing districts, both in academia and practice.