Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fabian Wenner has been appointed professor of sustainable urban planning and alternative mobility concepts at the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering of Hochschule RheinMain (HSRM) effective December 1, 2024. After completing his bachelor’s degree in spatial planning at TU Dortmund University and his master’s degree in urban and regional planning studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, he received his doctorate from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in 2021. He was a member of TUM’s academic staff from 2014 to 2024. Outside of academia, he worked as an urban planner at AS+P Albert Speer + Partner GmbH in Frankfurt from 2012 to 2013.

What aspect of your research fascinates you the most?

What drives me every day is the opportunity to contribute to a positive change in our built environment towards greater sustainability and to improve the quality of life for people in cities. I am fascinated by the interdisciplinary nature of my research area, which brings together aspects of mobility, land economics, geography and urban planning. In the areas where disciplines overlap, we can often find promising research topics such as accessibility planning and land value development. To this end, I would like to provide new digital data sources and methods.

What does “good teaching” mean to you?

For me, good teaching means creating an open, respectful learning environment in which all participants feel comfortable. Good teaching is engaging and uses interactive teaching methods that encourage student exchange and active participation. Strengthening independent learning as an interdisciplinary skill is also important. Teaching research projects are particularly suited to this, as they allow for linking theory and practice and working in interdisciplinary teams. When I studied, I used to appreciate it when lecturers took a well-founded position, which enabled constructive dialogue and criticism. It does, however, require you to present other positions in equal detail and to acknowledge your own subjectivity.

What did you want to be growing up?

I wanted to be a train driver one day, like probably many children. Then I realized that I would rather understand and shape transportation systems and urban structures than drive a vehicle myself. This paved the way for urban and transportation planning. I have a lot of teachers in my family and I have always enjoyed teaching as well. I used to organize clubs in school and was a tutor at university. I very much enjoy the teaching aspect of scientific professions.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

First and foremost, I like to spend time with my family – having small children means dealing with a whole different set of topics. Doing sports such as cycling and rowing helps me reduce stress. I also enjoy traveling. Other cities and regions are sources of inspiration for sustainable spatial development. There, work and play go hand in hand.