Photo: Detail photo of the metal parts of a machine
Department

Infrastructure, Economy and Finance

Head: Dr. Jens Libbe

Municipal infrastructures are the basis for supplying the population with goods. Urban commerce in the form of retail, production and services creates prosperity through local employment. At the same time, it ensures stable municipal finances, which is a central requirement for the political creative power and municipal self-administration. Infrastructure, economy and finance are the key fields of our research area. Furthermore, we address in detail matters of urban transformation and sustainability, such as the future viability of cities and towns. In doing so, our special interest lies in the chances and impact of digital change, the innovation ability of policy and administration, and also new sustainable forms for the provision of public utilities and services.

The Research Department Infrastructure, Economy and Finance researches and develops action approaches for municipalities to successfully adapt to the changed framework conditions. The spectrum covered by our work is broad: it ranges from the provision of essential transformation concepts and consultation on sustainable finance and investment planning to specific design and conversion options for the energy and water infrastructure and also to new digital services.

Our research focuses are:

  • Urban future and transformation
  • Infrastructure and urban development

    Intelligent system solutions and linked infrastructures
  • Digitalisation and smart city
  • Urban security and resilience
  • Financial and budget policy
  • Investment policy and infrastructure financing
  • Financial federalism and financial systems
  • Economic development and location development
  • Innovation and technology policy
  • Provision of public utilities and services, and economic activity
  • Support for research and evaluation
  • Empirical urban research and municipal statistics

The Research Department Infrastructure, Economy and Finance has two teams:

Economy, Finance and Sustainability Indicators

Infrastructure, Digitalisation and Security