Dr. Ellen Banzhaf

PhD - Senior Scientist

Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Permoserstr. 15
04318 Leipzig, Germany

phone: ++49 341 6025 1738
Dr. Ellen Banzhaf

Dr. Ellen Banzhaf



Research Areas


The main focus is on quantitative analyses of spatial and temporal dynamics in urban regions using remote sensing techniques. Monitoring and classifying land use and delineating change detection of LULC elementary procedures in the interdisciplinary field of urban development studies. Urban structures and further spatial indicators are derived to understand processes of spatial dynamics and corresponding socio-demographic and socio-economic development in neighbourhoods, cities and urban regions. Regional, national and international contexts are taken into consideration.

  • Monitoring urban land use and land cover at various scales from urban regions to neighbourhoods.
  • Analysing impacts of land-use dynamics and population development as drivers for urban transformations.
  • Investigating urban structures regarding their urban ecological and socio-economic parameters to foster resilient urban development.
  • Mapping and monitoring urban ecosystems and their services towards a more sustainable environmental development.




Supervision of internships, B.Sc. and M.Sc. thesis

Current publications

2024 (5)

2023 (3)

2022 (7)

2021 (2)

2020 (5)

2019 (3)

2018 (5)

2017 (5)

2016 (3)