Green for Everyone? ArboRes Junior Research Group Launched
The ArboRes Junior Research Group in its element: Green infrastructure will be the focus of the researchers' work over the next five years (Photo: Saskia Rupp)
How can urban green spaces make city neighborhoods more climate-resilient while simultaneously strengthening local equity and cohesion? Since early 2026, the socio-ecological junior research group ArboRes – a consortium of researchers from the IÖW and the University of Augsburg – has been investigating this question. Under the title “Green for Everyone? – Just transition to resilient urban neighborhoods (ArboRes),” the interdisciplinary research team – with expertise in the fields of environmental economics, human geography, physical geography, psychology, and political science – is investigating how civil society and municipalities can design urban greening in a socially equitable manner, as well as the challenges and conditions for success involved.
Urban Green Spaces: Focus on Emotions and Social Justice
Within the group, environmental psychologist Mia Lehn is investigating the role of emotional dynamics in civil society engagement with urban greening. She is exploring how participatory artistic formats can engage previously underrepresented groups. From a political science perspective, Friederike Hippe examines how issues of social justice are addressed in adaptation policies and municipal processes, and what obstacles and levers exist for giving them greater consideration. In addition, the two researchers are jointly analyzing how the rise of right-wing populism influences urban greening and local negotiation processes.
Kickoff of the Socio-Ecological Junior Research Groups
In May 2026, the junior research group laid the organizational and conceptual foundations for the next four years of collaboration during a spring retreat. On June 23, 2026, the group introduced itself at the kickoff meeting of the socio-ecological junior research groups (class of 2025), which are funded by the Federal Ministry of Research under the funding line “Research for Sustainable and Resilient City-Suburban Regions” within the funding priority “Socio-Ecological Research” (SÖF).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~