Bettina Oppermann

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bettina Oppermann is a Professor of Open Space Policy and Planning Communication at the Institute for Open Space Development within the Faculty of Architecture and Landscape at Leibniz University Hannover. Her office is located at Herrenhäuser Straße 2A, 30419 Hanover, Building 4107, Room 208. She has held various leadership positions including management of the Institute for Open Space Development (2008-2010 and 2003-2005), Chair of the Diploma Examination Board (2008-2012), and Dean of Studies of the Landscape Department (2005-2007).

Her educational background includes a Diploma in Landscape Management from the Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan (1981-1988), where her thesis focused on 'Protection of the natural resource soil in regional planning,' and a doctorate from the University of Stuttgart (1999) on 'Cooperative and citizen-oriented projects as new instruments for implementation-oriented environmental and landscape planning.' Prior to her current position, she worked at KOMMA.PLAN office in Stuttgart (1999-2004), as a Research Associate at the Academy for Technology Assessment in Baden-Württemberg (1994-1999), and at the Institute for Landscape Planning and Ecology at the University of Stuttgart (1989-1994).

Prof. Oppermann's research spans historical and current fields of action in open space policy and spatial environmental policy, conflict research and cooperation support, democracy development, methods of interactive planning and design, and concepts of citizen participation. She has extensively explored the use of new media in planning processes and has conducted significant research on urban forests, particularly the Eilenriede in Hanover, examining usage patterns and management challenges. Her work often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, focusing on how citizens can effectively participate in shaping their environments. She has also conducted important research on beautification as a cultural practice, urban sound spaces, and the relationship between landscape design and democratic processes.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of digital technologies and landscape planning, with growing attention to sustainability transitions, citizen engagement in energy systems, and the multisensory aspects of urban environments. Her work demonstrates a consistent commitment to understanding how planning processes can be made more inclusive, democratic, and responsive to community needs, while addressing contemporary challenges like climate change and urbanization.

Prof. Oppermann has been actively involved in numerous research projects including 'Open space types and open space systems: The future of allotment gardens' (2019-2021), 'Beautification as a cultural practice of the 19th century' (2017-2019), 'Urban forests - Usage patterns of the Eilenriede in Hanover' (2012-2016), and multiple phases of 'Energy systems of the future' (2014-2019). She has collaborated with various institutions including the City of Frankfurt am Main, acatech (German Academy of Engineering Sciences), Leopoldina (German National Academy of Sciences), and the German Society for Garden Art and Landscape Culture.

Her advising work includes mentoring students and professionals through the 'Mentoring in Science at the University of Hanover' program (2006). She has secured funding from diverse sources including the State capital Hanover, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, acatech, German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, and EU programs like COST Action and Interreg. Her research often involves interdisciplinary teams and practical applications in urban settings.

Prof. Oppermann leads research on the Eilenriede urban forest in Hanover and has developed innovative approaches to incorporating sound and sensory experiences into landscape architecture. Her work with the 'Tonspur Stadtlandschaft' initiative demonstrates her commitment to exploring non-visual dimensions of urban spaces. She has also contributed significantly to understanding how citizen participation can enhance democratic processes in spatial planning, particularly through projects like 'Democracy development from below' (2012-2013) and 'Utility analysis as a discourse vehicle' (2013-2016).