Since October 2022, Jan Dieterle has been Professor of Sustainable Open Space and Urban Design at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. His teaching and research focus on regenerative, ecosystem-based design strategies that integrate climate adaptation, biodiversity, and social inclusion in urban transformation processes. A key emphasis is on climate- and water-sensitive low-tech planning approaches, which he develops in close cooperation with municipalities, civil society, and local stakeholders in both large cities and smaller communities.
Landscape architecture is often perceived as a luxury for economically privileged groups, yet it urgently needs to address social justice, climate change, and infrastructural challenges in disadvantaged everyday urban spaces. Understanding the complex relationships between places, systems, forms, processes, and values is essential to develop tailored, site-specific solutions.
His research-based design practice significantly contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships). Practice-oriented collaborations with municipalities and transdisciplinary formats are central to shaping climate-resilient and socially just urban spaces.
Before joining Frankfurt UAS, Dieterle was Professor of Landscape Architecture at Geisenheim University (2019–2022) and interim head of the Institute for Landscape Planning and Ecology at the University of Stuttgart (2016–2019). There, he served as deputy director of the international Master’s program Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design (IUSD), conducted in partnership with Ain Shams University in Cairo. His doctoral research at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) focused on the “Risk Landscape Upper Rhine”—an interdisciplinary approach integrating ecological and social aspects in large-scale planning processes.
Jan Dieterle brings extensive experience as a freelance landscape architect specializing in conceptual design at the intersection of urban planning, infrastructure, and landscape. From 2013 to 2017, he led green and open space planning at the Wiesbaden city planning office. Earlier roles include project management in Berlin-based landscape architecture firms and teaching assignments at Karlsruhe University in architecture and urban design. His work consistently bridges open space planning, urban design, infrastructure, landscape ecology, and socio-ecological transformation.
- Grundlagen Freiraum und Klima VL + Ü, Stadtplanung (B. Eng.)
- Studienprojekt 1 - Quartier, Freiraum, Verkehr, Stadtplanung (B. Eng.)
- Stadtgestaltung und öffentlicher Raum, Stadtplanung (B. Eng.)
- Sondergebiete der Stadtplanung 1+2, Stadtplanung (B. Eng.)
- Nachhaltigkeit, Ökologie und Stadklima, Stadtplanung (Sustainability, ecology and urban climate) (B. Eng.)
- Vertiefung Stadtraum und Stadtstruktur, Stadtplanung (B. Eng.)
- Urban Development and Sustainable Cities, Urban Agglomerations (M.Sc.)
- Green and Public spaces, Urban Agglomerations (M.Sc.)
- Urban Design and Public Space, Advanced Architecture (M.Sc.)
- Specialisation Project, Advanced Architecture (M.Sc.)
- Freiraumplanerische Beratung für die Bachelor Thesis, Architektur (B.A.)
- sowie weitere Kurse in den Studiengängen UMSB (M.Sc.) und Architektur (M.Sc.)
Jan Dieterle’s research and teaching focus on regenerative, ecosystem-based design strategies for climate adaptation, biodiversity, and social inclusion in urban transformation processes. He collaborates closely with municipalities and local stakeholders to develop climate-adaptive, water-sensitive, and nature-based solutions. Supported by the GFB Future Prize and contributions to the World Design Capital 2026, his work combines design research, mapping, and transdisciplinary knowledge exchange. His research advances UN SDGs 6, 11, 13, 15, and 17. With over 25 years of experience, Dieterle integrates landscape architecture, urban planning, architecture, and social aspects in practice-oriented, transdisciplinary projects.
- Regenerative, ecosystem-based design strategies for urban transformation
- Climate adaptation, biodiversity enhancement, and social inclusion in urban spaces
- Practice-oriented collaboration with municipalities and local stakeholders
- Development of climate-adaptive, water-sensitive, and nature-based solutions in existing urban fabrics
- Transdisciplinary research and teaching bridging landscape architecture, urban planning, architecture, and social sciences
- Focus on socio-ecological urban resilience and sustainable transformation in large cities and small to mid-sized towns
- International and cross-sectoral partnerships for applied research and teaching formats
- Integration of low-tech, nature-based, and socially inclusive planning approaches aligned with UN SDGs (11, 13, 15, 17)
Dieterle, Jan (2024): Risikolandschaft Stadt. Prinzipien für eine nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung, die Krisen mitdenkt. In: Sozialmagazin. Ausgabe 910. Jahr 2024 (pp. 8792). Beltz, Weinheim
Ley, A., Ackermann, K., Beretta, S., Busch, S., Dieterle, J., ElShahat, M. M. F., Hosni, J., Laue, F., Moustanjidi, Y., Stützel, V. (2020). Public Usable Space as a Catalyst for Quality of Life Improvement: The Case of Cape Town’s Social Farming Projects. In: Martinez, J., Mikkelsen, C.A., Phillips, R. (eds), Handbook of Quality of Life and Sustainability. International Handbooks of Qualityof-Life (pp. 469 – 495). Springer, Cham. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50540-0_24 research on the case study and description of “Streetscapes Roeland Street”
Dieterle, J (2019): Landscape urbanism. Karlsruhe als Baustein einer metropolitanen Landschaft Oberrhein, In: Troll, H., Krimm, K. (Hrsg.): Stadt und Garten. Oberrheinische Studien. Band 40. Herausgegeben von der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für geschichtliche Landeskunde am Oberrhein e.V. (pp. 237244). Thorbecke. Karlsruhe
Dieterle, J (2017). Risikolandschaft Oberrhein. Bewegtes Terrain als räumlichstrukturelle Herausforderung für die Landschaft am Oberrhein. Risky Landscape Upper Rhine. Shifting terrain a challenge for the landscape on the Upper Rhine [Doctoral Thesis, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology - KIT). Repository KITopen. publikationen.bibliothek.kit.edu/1000067597
Stokman, A., Dieterle, J. (2013): Wasser in der Stadt. In: Jirku, A. (Hrsg.): StadtGrün. (pp. 174180). Fraunhofer IRB Verlag. Stuttgart