The institute has a multi-disciplined staff and a multi-disciplined approach to the field of urbanism. The activities at the institute include landscape architecture both as an integrated and as an independent disciplin in relation to urbanism.

The educational activites at the institute range from basic teaching to diploma works, and also include a further training program (master of urbanism) and a researcher education. The institute has a strong international orientation and an established network of cooperating institutions, and regularly takes part in the public debate concerning urban development and architecture.