Claus Beck

Claus Beck is a Research Fellow and PhD student in the Department of Urban and Regional Development at the School of Urban Planning, HafenCity University Hamburg. He has been working at the university since April 2024 under Professor Jörg Knieling, teaching courses including M1 Study Project, Urban and Spatial Policy, and project-based workshops on municipal cooperation and net zero land use governance.

His research focuses on:

• Land use policy with emphasis on 30 ha net zero land use targets
• Governance and policy implementation in urban contexts
• Housing policy and spatial analysis
• Municipal cooperation for quality of life in metropolitan regions

Beck's research examines changes in Frankfurt's housing stock and develops concepts for implementing 'net zero' land use at regional levels. His work bridges academic research with practical urban planning applications, particularly in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and Frankfurt.

His notable recognition includes:

• Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Scholarship during Master's studies

As a doctoral candidate, Beck leads the WISTA (Knowledge in Urban Planning) project (2025-2026) focused on strengthening regional planning to reduce new land use. He actively contributes to teaching while advancing his research on sustainable urban development approaches within Professor Knieling's research group.