Philipp Spörl

Philipp Spörl is a researcher at the Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, part of the Department of Landscape, Water and Infrastructure at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). He completed his doctoral dissertation in 2024 after doctoral studies from 2020-2024. Prior to this, he worked as a Junior Scientist at the same institute starting in 2019. His research focuses on green infrastructure, vegetation technology, and nature-based solutions for urban environments.

His educational background includes:

• Doctoral Dissertation at BOKU (2024)
• Master's Program in Landscape Planning and Landscape Architecture (2016-2019)
• Bachelor's studies in Landscape Architecture at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, Germany (2011-2014)

Spörl's research interests center around green infrastructure and vegetation technology with emphasis on urban applications. His work explores how building-integrated vegetation can address urban challenges including air pollution, stormwater management, and climate change adaptation. He investigates the technical aspects of vertical greening systems, green facades, and edible urban landscapes, focusing on their environmental benefits and practical implementation in existing urban structures. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, environmental science, and urban planning fields.

His publication portfolio demonstrates a strong focus on practical applications of green infrastructure, with recent work examining measurable benefits of building greening, retrofit solutions for existing structures, and the role of vegetation in mitigating urban air pollution. His research increasingly addresses the intersection of nature-based solutions with urban resource management and climate resilience.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Paving Design Award 2017

Spörl is actively involved in multiple research projects related to green infrastructure, including "Klimaquartier Melk" (2024-2027), "resilientRAIN" (2024-2027), and "MossDule" (2023-2026). His work often receives funding from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and involves collaboration with various institutes within BOKU. While not currently listed as a primary supervisor, his research contributes to the academic training of students working on related theses in landscape architecture and green infrastructure.

His work is closely associated with the Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, which serves as a hub for research on vegetation technology and nature-based solutions for urban environments. The institute's work bridges theoretical research with practical applications, often in collaboration with municipal authorities and industry partners to implement green infrastructure solutions in real-world settings.