Heidi Sinning

Professor Heidi Sinning serves as Professor for Urban Planning and Communication, Vice Dean for Research and Transfer, and Director of the Institute for Urban Research, Planning and Communication (ISP) at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt's Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning. Her academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to urban planning theory and practice.

Dr. Sinning completed her studies in urban, regional and environmental planning at the University of Hanover (1987-1994) and earned her doctorate from RWTH Aachen with a dissertation titled "Performance and Limits of Communicative Planning Instruments Using Sustainable Open Space Policy in Urban Regions as an Example" (1999-2002).

Her research focuses on housing and property development, integrated urban planning and district development, sustainable settlement and open space development, and communicative planning/governance/citizen participation. Professor Sinning approaches urban planning through a participatory lens, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in shaping sustainable urban environments. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implementation in municipal contexts across Germany and internationally.

• German Sustainability Award Research 2022 for HeatResilientCity project
• Municipal Science Award (2003) from the Foundation of German Cities, Municipalities and Districts
• Dr. Friedrich Lehner Prize (1998)

Professor Sinning actively contributes to academic leadership as Vice Dean for Research and Transfer and previously served as Founding Dean of the Urban and Spatial Planning program (2007-2017). She has directed the Institute for Urban Research, Planning and Communication since 2008 and maintains professional partnerships through her planning office KoRiS (Communicative Urban and Regional Development), which she co-founded in 1994.

Her international engagement includes visiting scholarships at ETH Zurich, University of Melbourne, TU Delft, University College London, University of Washington, and Temple University, demonstrating her global perspective on urban challenges.