The Transformative Potential of Urban Green Infrastructure: Social-Ecological-Technological Perspectives - by Stephan Pauleit

Stephan Pauleit is Professor of Strategic Landscape Planning and Management at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where he also directs the Centre for Urban Ecology. He is a trained landscape planner and serves as the spokesperson for the Research Training Group Urban Green Infrastructure. His research focuses on urban green infrastructure planning, urban forestry, and the sustainable development of both urban and rural landscapes.

Professor Pauleit investigates how cities can adapt to global challenges such as climate change, urbanisation, and natural hazards, with a particular interest in nature-based solutions and the growth and functioning of urban trees. He has contributed extensively to national and international research projects across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

In this lecture, Stephan Pauleit discusses the critical role of urban green infrastructure in transforming cities to become more resilient and sustainable in the face of climate change. Drawing on a systems approach that integrates social, ecological, and technological dimensions (the SET framework), he presents the latest findings from the Urban Green Infrastructure Research Training Group at TUM.

The lecture offers insights into recent advances in the design and planning of hybrid infrastructures—green, blue, and grey—that can address the challenges of dense urbanisation and climate risks. Pauleit reflects on the transformative potential of nature-based solutions and the relevance of the SET framework for rethinking integrated urban research.

This lecture is part of the REP25 Annual Meeting.