Fundamental Research with impact
ReSpace! advances an integrated understanding of how spatial infrastructures and typologies can be transformed for climate adaptation – addressing climate change, resource constraints and societal demands in the complex interplay of global and local impacts. Building on cross-disciplinary collaboration between architecture and urban design, the humanities, social and natural sciences, and engineering, we will co-design, narrate, simulate, and evaluate innovative solutions for future sustainable living.
Collaborative and holistic approach
Partnering with actors – cities, municipalities, NGOs, non-university research institutions and industry – ReSpace! focuses not only on developing spatial role models, but also on transferring knowledge to regional and institutional stakeholders. The research framework envisions, develops, evaluates and proposes scientifically founded and societally acceptable concepts. ReSpace! lies at the intersection of two of the four of the TU Braunschweig’s core research areas Future City and Mobility.
We at the Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology envision “response-able” factories - both responsible and capable of adapting - in the context of distributed and decentralized value chains. Designed to operate within planetary boundaries, these factories will be built using modular, reconfigurable volumes and sustainable materials, integrated into smart, vertically organized structures. They will reabsorb waste into production through localized strategies and circular material flows, supporting a regenerative and resilient industrial ecosystem.
In a world facing major global challenges, our research can only be successful through collaboration between different disciplines, universities and research institutions, business, politics, culture and society. It is only by drawing on these different perspectives that we can develop innovative solutions and measures to address these challenges and create a lasting impact. Through our initiative, 'Ecoversity – Collaborative Space for Change', we are embracing a dynamic ecosystem approach to cooperation. We are transforming our university into an 'Ecoversity' — an ecosystem university.