LATI - Laboratory for Territorial Intelligence - Fachbereich Raum- und Umweltplanung an der RPTU

LATI - Laboratory for Territorial Intelligence

LATI - Research Laboratory for Territorial Intelligence

Spatial planning in the Greater Region (Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Lorraine and Grande Est, Luxembourg, Wallonia, and the German-speaking Community of Belgium) is shaped by diverse planning cultures and administrative boundaries. The current challenges for spatial development in the individual subregions—for example, in the areas of climate change (flooding), reducing new land take, and a more integrated approach to settlement and transportation development—are highly similar. The everyday reality of citizens in the Greater Region features many cross-border interconnections (including high levels of commuting), making a more cross-border perspective on the challenges of the Greater Region’s development just as appropriate as the development of cross-border solutions.

With the LATI project—the Research Laboratory for Territorial Intelligence—the University of the Greater Region and its partner universities are therefore providing a strong impetus for cross-border spatial planning. A central objective of this cross-border research project is to generate knowledge about spatial planning in the Greater Region, to promote exchange and professional development among spatial development stakeholders in the Greater Region, and to jointly develop innovative solutions. Through the various project activities and their impacts, spatial development stakeholders in the Greater Region are encouraged to think cross-border; cross-border knowledge is co-constructed and made accessible. “The focus is on mutual learning and the joint testing of policies, strategies, and practical approaches. The goal is to rethink spatial planning—in a sustainable, networked manner that is closely aligned with the real challenges on the ground.”

The joint project of the University of the Greater Region is being carried out by the six member universities—RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Université de Lorraine, University of Liège, Saarland University, and University of Trier—within the framework of the UniGR Center for Border Studies. The LATI project is funded by the Interreg VI A Greater Region Program with a total of €2,674,814.40 in ERDF funding. The project has a total budget of €4,692,656.88.

The International Planning Systems Department is participating in Work Packages 2, “Living Labs,” and 3, “Competency Development and Continuing Education in Spatial Planning,” as part of the project.

Work Package 2 involves establishing living labs to test and further develop planning tools in a practical setting. The Living Labs offer workshops, an interactive online simulation game, and a podcast series to raise awareness among citizens and spatial planning practitioners about cross-border issues and encourage dialogue. The content focuses on net-zero land take (NNLT), transit-oriented development (TOD), and adaptation to climate change. The goal is to promote the participation of diverse stakeholder groups and to ground planning practices in a variety of perspectives and practical knowledge.

The first real-world lab was held on November 4, 2025, in Esch-sur-Alzette on the topic of housing and net-zero land take and served as a kick-off for further exchange in the Greater Region. Another real-world lab on the topic of flood prevention and spatial planning in the Zweibrücken region is planned for September 2026.

Work Package 3 focuses on enhancing the skills of spatial planning professionals. To this end, learning and continuing education programs are being developed to impart theoretical and practical knowledge, targeting professionals, students, and the general public alike. Key components include assessing continuing education needs, developing multilingual online learning modules (MOOCs), participatory “landscape walks,” and an interactive online simulation game on cross-border planning cultures. Key content areas include net-zero land take (NNLT), transit-oriented development (TOD), the energy transition, and energy lifestyles. The goal is to build an informed community to support the implementation of the REK-GR.