German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning

The Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung (DASL) — the German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning — is a non-profit registered association of professionals who have made outstanding contributions to urban design, regional planning, or the related fields of research and practical planning. It traces its origins to the Free Academy of Urban Design (Freie Akademie des Städtebaus), founded in 1922, and was reconstituted under its current name in 1946. The academy is based in Berlin and operates through eight regional groups (Landesgruppen) across Germany. The DASL's mission is to promote urban design and regional planning in both science and practice. It pursues this through scholarly work and expert opinions, lectures and conferences on the problems of the spatial environment, and by evaluating and making its findings accessible to the public. It also provides a forum where different social groups and economic circles interested in urban development can engage in discussion with planning professionals. A key part of its work is carried out through three institutes it supports: the Institute for Urban Design Berlin (ISB), the Institute for Urban Design and Housing Munich (ISW), and the Central Institute for Spatial Planning (ZIR) in Münster. These institutes focus on general urban design research, spatial planning, postgraduate education, and qualification for public service careers. Membership is limited by statute to 600 members, with members over 65 not counted toward that limit. New members are appointed by the board on the recommendation of a regional group. Corresponding members are appointed from abroad, and natural or legal persons willing to support the academy's work can become sponsoring members. The academy's members have included many prominent figures in German and international planning, such as Gerd Albers, Lucius Burckhardt, Cornelius Gurlitt, Elisabeth Merk, Thomas Sieverts, and Monika Thomas, who has served as president since 2022. The DASL is also known for awarding the German Urban Design Prize (Deutscher Städtebaupreis), which it has organized since 2006 with funding from the Wüstenrot Stiftung. The prize, established in 1980, recognizes innovative and sustainable urban design projects. In addition, the academy has awarded the Cornelius Gurlitt Medal since 1954 for special services to urban design. In 2022, the DASL celebrated its 100th anniversary. Its current activities include annual conferences, such as the 2026 annual meeting in Nuremberg on the theme "People and Spaces in Motion," and ongoing contributions to planning discourse, including signing the 2026 Bauhaus Manifesto and preparing a book contribution on transformative urban and regional development.

The Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung (DASL) traces its roots to the early 20th century, a period when urban design began to emerge as a distinct professional field in Germany. In 1911, the first German exhibition on urban design was held in Berlin, followed in 1912 by an international exhibition in Düsseldorf that invited urban planners from around the world. In 1921, architect Bruno Möhring invited colleagues to found an academy for urban planning. This led to the formal establishment of the Freie Akademie des Städtebaus (Free Academy of Urban Design) on 28 October 1922. Cornelius Gurlitt became its first president, while Möhring chaired the working committee. The founding was met with criticism from Eduard Jobst Siedler, managing director of the Bund Deutscher Architekten, who feared that a small, influential circle might excessively influence the development of urban design or even prevent the propagation of new ideas. In response, the academy committed itself not to pursue state character or political activities, but to "work on and research what is healthiest, most beautiful, and most economical for the inhabitants." Siedler himself joined in 1923 and remained a member until his death. The academy was recognized by the Prussian state as early as 1923 and was asked for opinions in legislative matters. During the Nazi era, from 1934, it was renamed "Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau, Reichs- und Landesplanung," with Johannes Göderitz serving as managing director from 1936 to 1945 and Reinhold Niemeyer as appointed president from 1934. In 1946, the academy was reconstituted under its current name, Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung. Stephan Prager became the first post-war president in 1949. After German reunification, the DASL re-established its headquarters in Berlin. Over the decades, the academy has played a significant role in shaping planning discourse in Germany. It has awarded the Cornelius Gurlitt Medal since 1954, named after its founding president, to honor special achievements in urban design; by statute, only ten living holders of the medal may exist at any time. In 1980, the German Urban Design Prize (Deutscher Städtebaupreis) was initiated by journalist Ulrich Conrads, then editor-in-chief of Bauwelt, together with the Bank für Gemeinwirtschaft, and named after Walter Hesselbach, a long-time chairman of the bank. Between 2000 and 2004, the prize was continued by SEB AG with professional support from the Vereinigung für Stadt-, Regional- und Landesplanung (SRL). Since 2006, the DASL has organized the prize, with funding from the Wüstenrot Stiftung. In 2022, the DASL celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of commitment to urban design and regional planning. The academy continues to be active in public discourse, signing the Bauhaus Manifesto 2026 and preparing scholarly contributions on transformative urban and regional development. Its annual conferences, such as the 2026 meeting in Nuremberg on "People and Spaces in Motion," remain important forums for exchange among planners, researchers, and the public.

• 2026

  Annual conference in Nuremberg on "People and Spaces in Motion"; DASL signs Bauhaus Manifesto 2026.

• 2022

  DASL celebrates its 100th anniversary.

• 2006

  DASL begins organizing the German Urban Design Prize, funded by Wüstenrot Stiftung.

• 1980

  German Urban Design Prize (Deutscher Städtebaupreis) initiated by Ulrich Conrads and Bank für Gemeinwirtschaft.

• 1970

  Erika Spiegel becomes the first female member of the DASL.

• 1954

  Cornelius Gurlitt Medal first awarded.

• 1949

  Stephan Prager becomes first post-war president.

• 1946

  Reconstituted under the current name Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung.

• 1934

  Renamed Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau, Reichs- und Landesplanung; Reinhold Niemeyer appointed president.

• 1923

  Academy recognized by the Prussian state and consulted on legislative matters.

• 1922

  Freie Akademie des Städtebaus founded on 28 October; Cornelius Gurlitt becomes first president.

A non-profit professional academy and think tank for transformative spatial planning, bridging science, practice, and public discourse in Germany.

• Deutscher Städtebaupreis (German Urban Design Prize)

  Award for innovative and sustainable urban design projects, awarded in two categories: traditional prize for realized projects and a special prize for innovative strategies and procedures. Organized by DASL since 2006, funded by Wüstenrot Stiftung.

• Cornelius-Gurlitt-Denkmünze

  Medal awarded since 1954 for special services to urban design; only ten living holders allowed by statute.

• Institut für Städtebau Berlin (ISB)

  One of three institutes supported by the academy, focusing on urban design research and postgraduate education.

• Institut für Städtebau und Wohnungswesen München (ISW)

  Institute focusing on urban design, housing, and qualification for public service.

• Zentralinstitut für Raumplanung (ZIR), Münster

  Institute focusing on spatial planning research and education.

1. 1Home – Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung (DASL)dasl.de
2. 2Geschichte des DSP – Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung (DASL)dasl.de
3. 3Mobilität: Wie soll diese Zukunft aussehen? – Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung (DASL)dasl.de
4. 4Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung – Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org