The ILS – Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development is a german non-university urban research institute which explores the dynamics and diversity of urban change in international comparison. The aim of our application-oriented basic research is a better understanding of recent urbanisation processes, in order to gain inter- and transdisciplinary insights into the socially, ecologically and economically sustainable transformation and design of urban spaces at different spatial scales, and we do this in active dialogue with practitioners, policy-makers and societal stakeholders. ILS is a founding member of the Johannes-Rau-Forschungsgemeinschaft. We actively participate in the 5R Network of the Spatial Research Institutes of the Leibniz Association as well as in other regional, national and international cooperations and networks, and consider us an important node in spatial scientific research in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and Europe. ILS is based in Dortmund. It is a non-profit limited company. The shareholder is the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.