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Spatial sociologist Martina Löw honored for her contribution to urban development
On June 12, 2025, the Schader Prize was awarded to Prof. Dr. Martina Löw. The renowned spatial sociologist teaches planning and architectural sociology at the Technical University of Berlin and was honored in Darmstadt for her pioneering academic work and her dialogue with practitioners. In her acceptance speech to approximately 250 guests, she addressed the importance of quality in sociology and urban planning.
Löw argued that sociology must focus more on assessing qualities in order to contribute productively to planning processes. She placed particular emphasis on the subjective experience of spaces and how these affect different population groups socially and emotionally. A place can possess diverse qualities – different for a child than for a senior citizen – and must offer space for everyone.
In her speech, Löw also emphasized the responsibility of sociology, architecture, and politics to promote communal values and a sense of belonging in urban spaces. Her theoretically grounded concept of space, Löw stated, is a tool for constructively addressing societal challenges through the built environment.
In their welcoming remarks, Mayor Hanno Benz, State Secretary Katrin Hechler, and Schader Foundation board member Alexander Gemeinhardt particularly emphasized Löw's contribution to understanding urban structures and their "inherent logic." They stated that her research findings are also of great value for local politics.
The prize was presented by Prof. Dr. Christoph Möllers, spokesperson for the Senate of the Schader Foundation. In his laudatory speech, he emphasized Löw's contribution to the conceptual foundation of spatial sociology and its linking of theoretical insight with social practice.
In his speech, Dr. Niklas Maak, editor of the FAZ, praised Löw's ability to make the resilient potential of cities visible and to derive political options for action from it. With her theoretical brilliance and practical relevance, she was an ideal recipient of the award.
The Schader Prize is endowed with 15,000 euros and is awarded annually by the Senate of the Schader Foundation, to which Martina Löw will also belong for seven years.
Further information: www.schader-stiftung.de/schader-preis
