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In Switzerland, every second one square meter of land is consumed by development. In Germany, this rate is fourteen times higher, resulting in a land consumption of some hundred-twenty football fields per day. In the United States the rate of land consumption is estimated to be again ten times higher.

We consider land as a precious resource that has to be managed in a sustainable way. In order to halt excessive land consumption we analyse how land degrades and we investigate the degree of degradation with desk studies, historic analyses and field reconnaissance campaigns. We also propose measures to remediate and recycle land including engineered solutions as well as soft remediation techniques (bio- or phytoremediation). In this context, we conduct research projects and feasibility studies for the choice of the most appropriate strategy to investigate and remediate land based on best practice and cost effectiveness.

In addition, we are investigating the utilisation of the resource space to produce renewable energy, especially in urban environments.

Dieter D. Genske (2003) Urban Land: Degradation, Investigation, Remediation. Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York, 333p - Downloads

Dieter D. Genske (2006) Ingenieurgeologie: Grundlagen und Anwendung (Engineering Geology). Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York, 588p

Dieter D. Genske, Susanne Hauser, Hrsg. (2003) Die Brache als Chance: Ein transdisziplinärer Dialog über verbrauchte Flächen. Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York, 287p