Research Cluster

The model of sustainability does not describe a static state, but a process and a challenge that can be aptly described with the term Sustainable Development. Sustainability means fulfilling the needs and development prospects of the current population without endangering future generations, thus sustaining a society’s economic basis and livelihood. Sustainability can be considered a principle that can design and achieve a viable and fair handling of social and natural resources. The sustainable design of societal development would require a range of structural transformations for our economy, society and their subsystems.

To support this process, the IZT has integrated empirical analyses into the research cluster Sustainability and Transformation. This includes the expansion of renewable energies and the infrastructure they require, increasing energy and resource efficiency or the substitution of critical resources. Based on this is a focus on education for sustainability using traditional as well as digital media to support shaping skills in various areas. 

The research at the IZT also encourages actively designing a sustainable and future-oriented world through technology review that not only aims for social and ecological compatibility, but also increases the ability of users to empower themselves and shape their environment. It also supports the continuous involvement of societal actors in educational, learning and research processes in the context of transdisciplinary research projects.