Establishment, operation and networking of the research data infrastructure

• Expansion of high-resolution data repositories, AI-based data harmonization, data exploration, retrospective time series expansion, implementation of FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), integration into other relevant NFDIs and the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC)
• Expansion of the quality assurance system with regard to data curation, archiving, certification, data and process transparency, performance, availability, failure safety and user monitoring
• Expansion of interactive functionalities, development of user interfaces suitable for the target audience and integration into other user contexts through application programming interfaces (APIs)
• Systematic publication of all research datasets with persistent identifiers and their publication in data journals

Development of new approaches for high-resolution data and information retrieval

• Methods for information retrieval and data integration from spatially, thematically, and temporally high-resolution, heterogeneous datasets (World Settlement Footprint, geobasis and geospatial data, historical maps, sensor data, user-generated data from social media and mobile applications, among others)
• Dealing with data uncertainties and breaks in time series including their visualization using geovisual analytics approaches
• Developing new analysis and visualization tools to support planning and policy-making

High-resolution modelling, analysis, simulation and scenario development

• Exploration of complex cause-effect relationships and dynamics of land use and settlement development at different spatial scales
• Multi-causal vulnerability analyses, assessment of multiple and cumulative risks, impact analysis of socio-ecological resilience strategies
• Model-based scenario analyses and evaluation of options for sustainable spatial, urban and regional development (e.g. emission reduction, energy production, building refurbishment, circular economy, biodiversity, ecological agriculture and mobility)
• Regional, national and international comparative studies

Transfer, transdisciplinary and citizen science

• Visualization and multimedia processing of indicators, analyses, scenarios and simulations in web services and showcases 
• Development and provision of services for linking IOER RDC products with planning and interventions in practice such as collaborative knowledge platforms
• Data and methodological support of transdisciplinary research with societal actors and citizen science such as data and knowledge co-production, co-design, co-evaluation
• Annual summer school, e-learning and distance learning opportunities and user training to strengthen the digital expertise of spatial actors through consulting workshops