Urban and Social Geography
The main research focus of the working group is on metropolitan and megacity research with a focus on the following topics: Urbanisation dynamics, governability/controllability and governance, informality, conflict and risk research, and urban health.
The regional focus is on Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia), India and China.
Other research interests include social, cultural and ethnogeography (minorities, migration and social coherence).
News
Dr. Prill Award of the GfE 2026
Our research assistant, Lina Harmuth, has been awarded this year’s Dr Prill Prize by the GfE. In her bachelor’s thesis on inclusive disaster management, she focuses on a target group that has so far received little attention in the field of disaster prevention. She presented her research findings in a vivid and engaging talk on 10 July 2026 during the graduation ceremony. We congratulate her warmly on this award!
New publication from the MYrisk project
Civil society organisations are key players in disaster risk management. At the same time, research into their role often oscillates between hope and hype. The new open-access article by Anissa Vogel, Sophie-Bo Heinkel and Frauke Kraas (2026) summarises the current state of global research in a systematic review of 265 studies from 46 countries. The paper sets out an agenda for future research and demonstrates how scientific findings can provide more targeted support for practice.
Newspaper article in the General-Anzeiger Bonn (13 April 2026)
Under the headline “Warum er krank ist, sieht jeder anders - Von Gottesstrafe bis Schulmedizin: Experten fanden in Tannenbusch vier Erklärungsmuster für Krankheit und Gesundheit” (by author: Martin Wein), findings from the research project “MiGeQua – Migrant understandings of health and their health related practices in diverse neighbourhoods” are presented. Click here for the newspaper article (not freely available).
MYrisk (BMFTR): Flyers with recommendations in the event of natural disasters
As part of the third-party funded project MYrisk (BMFTR), new flyers have been created that provide recommendations for actions to take in the event of natural hazards such as cyclones, earthquakes, evacuations, floods, heatwaves and pandemics. The flyers are specific to Myanmar, but some of the information is also applicable to other regions. Click here to view the flyers.
Interview with Anissa Vogel in the university magazine
Under the title “Urban development and resilience must be considered together,” Anissa Vogel provides insights into her research and findings. She examines the factors influencing and societal impacts of sea level rise and flooding in the Ayeyarwady Delta (Myanmar) and draws lessons from the past for future disaster management.
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Administrator of the of the working group website: Dorina Kley