Dr Sabine Zillmer
partner & head of Berlin office
+49 (0)30 80 60 41 75
sabine.zillmer@spatialforesight.eu
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Dr Sabine Zillmer is partner and head of the Berlin office. She specialises in socio-economic analyses at different territorial scales and regional and territorial policies with a particular view to cross-border challenges and solutions. She has worked for numerous clients ranging from the European Commission and Interreg programmes to national and regional ministries in these fields by doing research as well as organising and facilitating stakeholder engagement.
Sabine delivers evidence-based policy advice, considering latest research. Her involvement in the German Academy for Territorial Development (ARL) and Regional Studies Associations (RSA) keep her up-to-date. Moreover it follows her experience, namely as senior researcher at the Leibniz-Institute for Regional Development (IRS) in Germany, where she followed especially German spatial policies. Her professional work builds on her degree in economics (Göttingen, Germany and Flinders University, Australia) and her doctoral degree agricultural sciences (Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany).
Sabine is a passionate reader, goes cycling and loves hiking the Alps.
Publications
Zillmer, S. (2024). Legal Perspectives Supporting Multi-Level Governance for the Benefit of Citizens. In: Journal of Advanced Studies on Borders, Cooperation and Development, Pilot Issue, UPS-CESCI Research Group on Cross-Border Cooperation and the University of Eastern Finland. Download.
Zillmer, S., Hagemann, K., Zeimet, J. C. (2024). ACTAREA Workshop: The Franco-German Crossborder Area SaarMoselle. Luxembourg: ESPON. Download.
Zillmer, S., Hagemann, K., Zeimet, J. C. (2024). ACTAREA Workshop: The Franco-German Cross-border Area Strasbourgh-Ortenau. Luxembourg: ESPON. Download.
Zillmer, S., Gløersen, E., Alessandrini, M., Fratini, A., Ivanov, B., Hagemann, K., Mäder Furtado, M. (2023). Effective decentralisation in the context of the European Semester and beyond. Brussels: European Committee of the Regions. Download.
Zillmer, S., Ivanov, B., Haarich, S., Spule, S., Szolnoki, N., Carlberg, M., Zejerman, I., Gaugitsch, R., Amann, S. (2023). Early implementation of four 2021-2027 EU programmes: Erasmus +, Creative Europe, European Solidarity Corps, and Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (Strand 3). Brussels: European Parliament. Download.
Palenberg, D., Badura, M., Pfefferkorn, W., Zillmer, S., Lüer, C. (2023). Alpenkonvention: Sektorale Entwicklung der Grünen Wirtschaft im Alpenraum. Herausgeber: Umweltbundesamt. Download.
Böhme, K., Marinović, P., Zillmer, S., Hat, K. & Schuh, B. (2023). The delivery system of Cohesion Policy now and in future. Brussels: European Committee of the Regions. Read
Böhme, K., Mäder Furtado, M., Totsidou, M., Zillmer, S., Hans, S., Hrelja, D., Valenza, A., Mori, A. (2022). Research for REGI Committee - The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine on EU cohesion. Part II: Overview and outlook. European Parliament, Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies, Brussels. Read.
Spūle, S., Zillmer, S., Schürmann, C., Guillermo-Ramírez, M., Nikolov, A., Peyrony, J., Viaggi, R., Tzvetanova, P. (2022). OUTREACH AND UPTAKE OF TERRITORIAL EVIDENCE: Cross-border Public Services 2.0 (CPS 2.0). Upgrade and update of the European-wide inventory on Cross-border public Services (CPS). Download.
Zillmer, S., Haarich, S., Spule, S., Gramillano, A., Casamassima, C., Hrelja, D., Iacob, A., Gerstner, S., Stumm, T., Schürmann, C. (2022). Cross-border public services: Case study collection. Download.
Zillmer, S., Stumm, T., Schürmann, C. (2022). Cross-border public services: CPS inventory analysis and policy recommendations. Download.
Münch, A., Badouix, M., Schuh, B., Zillmer, S., et al. (2022). Renovation Wave: guidance for local and regional implementation. Download.
Gløersen, E., Anzoise, V., Zillmer, S., Audin, J., Li, Y. (2018): Experiments with participative approaches to sustainable urban planning in the three selected Chinese cities. In: Aveline-Dubach, N. (Ed.): Pathways of sustainable urban development across China. The cases of Hangzhou, Datong and Zhuhai. p.123-144. Download.
Study on providing public transport in cross-border regions – Mapping of existing services and legal obstacles, European Commission, DG Regio, Brussels:
- Zillmer, S., Holstein, F., Lüer, C., Stumm, T., Schürmann, C. & De Stasio, C. (2022): Final Report. Study on providing public transport in cross-border regions - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)
- Zillmer, S., Lüer, C., Stumm, T. & Schürmann, C. (2022): Toolbox. Study on providing public transport in cross-border regions - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)
- Zillmer, S. (2022): Case Study report Railway connection Johanngeorgenstadt (Germany) – Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic). Study on providing public transport in cross-border regions - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)
- Holstein, F., Zillmer, S. & Waszycki, P. (2022): Case Study report Rail service Gorzanów (Poland) – Lichkov (Czechia). Study on providing public transport in cross-border regions - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)
- Holstein, F., Zillmer, S., Korpal, A. & Waszycki, P. (2022): Case Study report Bus line Suwałki (Poland) – Kaunas (Lithuania). Study on providing public transport in cross-border regions - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)
Zillmer, S., Lüer, C. (2019). Transnational Cooperation along Core Network Corridors: The Role of Corridor Fora. In: Scholl, B., Perić, A. & M. Niedermaier (Eds.). Spatial and Transport Infrastructure Development in Europe: Example of the Orient/East-Med Corridor, Hanover. Forschungsberichte der ARL 12, pp. 106-132. Download.
Dallhammer, E., Derszniak-Noirjean, M., Gaugitsch, R., Hans, S., Zillmer, S., 2019. The impacts of metropolitan regions on their surrounding areas. European Committee of the Regions, Brussels. Download.
Valenza, A., Alessandrini, M., Gramillano, A., Zingaretti, C., Zillmer, S., Holstein, F., Salvatori, G. (2019). EU policy framework on SMEs: state of play and challenges. European Committee of the Regions. Brussels. Download.
Beckmann, K., Endemann, P., Frezadou, I., Heinrichs, B., Heldt, P., Hörl, B., Niedermaier, M., Perić, A., Scholl, B., Schönwandt, W., Siegmann, J., Vetsch, H.-P., Voigt, A., Zillmer, S. (2019). Spatial and Transport Development in European Corridors - The examples of the Orient/East-Med. Connecting and competing in spaces of European Importance. Position Paper of the ARL 112. Hanover. Download.
Zillmer, S., Hans, S., Lüer, C., Montán, A., Hsiung, C.-H., Le Moglie, P., Gnetti, V. (2018). EGTC Good Practice Booklet. European Committee of the Regions. Brussels. Download.
Zillmer, S., Hans, S., Lüer, C., Montán, A. (2018). EGTC monitoring report 2017. European Committee of the Regions. Brussels. Download.
Zillmer, S., Lüer, C., Toptsidou, M. (2017). Der EVTZ aus raumentwicklungs- und kohäsionspolitischer Sicht. In: Krzymuski, M., Kubicki, P., Ulrich, P. (ed.). Der Europäische Verbund für territoriale Zusammenarbeit. Instrument der grenzübergreifenden Zusammenarbeit nationaler öffentlicher Einrichtungen in der Europäischen Union. NOMOS, Baden-Baden, pp.447-476. The book is available at NOMOS.
Lüer, C., Schürmann, C., Harmsen, J., Fransen, R., Haarich, S., Holstein, F., Lebesque, L., Zillmer, S., Zwicky, A. (2017): Studien zum Interreg-Projekt EUREGIO Güterkorridor / EUREGIO Goederencorridor. Endfassung des Abschlussberichts. Gronau: EUREGIO. Download.
Lüer, C., Schürmann, C., Harmsen, J., Fransen, R., Haarich, S., Holstein, F., Lebesque, L., Zillmer, S., Zwicky, A. (2017): Studies betreffende het Interreg-project EUREGIO Güterkorridor / EUREGIO Goederencorridor. Definitieve versie van het eindverslag. Gronau: EUREGIO. Download.
Zillmer, S., Lüer, C. (2017). Experience of Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC). MORO Praxis, no. 8, BVI (ed.), Berlin. Download.
Zillmer, S., Haarich S., Holstein, F., Toptsidou, M., Le Moglie, P. (2017) Implementation of the Decision and the Framework on SGEIs: involvement of LRAs in the reporting exercise and state of play as regards the assessment of social services as economic activities. European Committee of the Regions. Download.
Zillmer, S., Lüer, C. (2017). Erfahrungen aus Europäischen Verbünden für territoriale Zusammenarbeit (EVTZ), MORO Praxis, no. 7, BMVI (ed.), Berlin. Download.
Haarich, S., Zillmer, S., Holstein, F., Montán, A., Wergles, N., Toptsidou, M., Gorny, H., Brkanovic, S., Celotti, P. (2017), Entrepreneurship on islands and other peripheral regions. European Committee of the Regions. Download.
Zillmer, S., Hans, S., Lüer, C., Montan, A., Toptsidou, M., Schuh, B., Hsiung, C., Celotti, P. & Le Moglie. P. (2017) EGTC monitoring report 2016 and impacts of Schengen area crisis on the work of EGTCs. European Committee of Regions. Download.
Böhme, K., Holstein, F., Toptsidou, M., Zillmer, S. (2017). Gold-plating in the European Structural and Investment Funds. European Parliament. Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies. Download.
Levralet, F., Perku, A., Lorgeoux, E., Brignani, N., Wills, T.J.B., Zillmer, S., Holstein, F. & Stumm, T. (2016). Review of Adopted European Territorial Cooperation Programmes. European Parliament. Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies. Download.
Gløersen, E., Drăgulin, M., Haarich, S., Zillmer, S., Holstein, F., Lüer, C. & Hans, S. (2016). Services of General Interest in the Funding Period 2014-2020. European Parliament. Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies. Download.
Böhme, K. & Zillmer, S. (2015). Was haben gleichwertige Lebensverhältnisse mit territorialer Kohäsion zu tun? Informationen zur Raumentwicklung, 1.2015, pp. 11–22.
Böhme, K., Zillmer, S., Toptsidou, M. & Holstein, F. (2015). Territorial Governance and Cohesion Policy. Brussels: European Parliament. Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies. Download.
Zillmer, S., Böhme, K. & Lüer, C. (2015). Territorial Scenarios and Visions of Europe for 2050: Proceedings of the Workshop of the incoming Luxembourg EU Presidency on 23 April 2015. Luxembourg: Luxembourg Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures on Behalf of the EU Trio Presidency.
Zillmer, S., Lüer, C., Spiekermann, K. & Wegener, M. (2015a). Implementing the Territorial Agenda 2020. Enhancing regional potentials in the context of further developing the TEN-T (BMVI-Online-Publikation No. 07/2015). Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur. Download.
Zillmer, S., Lüer, C., Spiekermann, K. & Wegener, M. (2015b). Umsetzung der Territorialen Agenda 2020. Entwicklung regionaler Potenziale im Zusammenhang mit der Weiterentwicklung der TEN-V (BMVI-Online-Publikation No. 03/2015). Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur. Download.
Zillmer, S., Lüer, C., Toptsidou, M., Krzymuski, M., Dallhammer, E., Kintisch, M., Schuh, B., Celotti, P., Colin, A., Preku, A., Brignani, N., Waterhout, B., Zonneveld, W. & Stead, D. (2015). European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation as an Instrument for Promotion and Improvement of Territorial Cooperation in Europe. European Parliament. Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies. Download.
Böhme, K., Finka, M., Gustedt, E., Schön, K. P., Sielker, F. & Zillmer, S. (2014). Response to the European Consultation on the Future of the Europe 2020 Strategy (Position Paper of the ARL No. 101). Hannover: Akademie für Raumforschung und Landesplanung.
Böhme, K., Zillmer, S., Toptsidou, M., Holstein, F., Lüer, C. & Gløersen, E. (2014). A Territorial Perspective on the Europe 2020 Strategy: Contribution to European Public Consultation Process (Spatial Foresight Brief No. 4). Heisdorf: Spatial Foresight. Download.
Lüer, C., Toptsidou, M. & Zillmer, S. (2014). Calculating regionalised scenarios meeting Europe 2020 objectives (ESPON 2013 Scientific Report No. 2), pp. 164–168. Luxembourg: ESPON. Download.
Zillmer, S. (2014). Prignitz-Oberhavel. New approach to a regional energy strategy (Interim Report – Part A.1 for the Study on promoting multi-level governance in support of Europe 2020). European Commission DG Regional Policy. Download.
Zillmer, S., Böhme, K., Lüer, C. & Stumm, T. (2014a). Guideline for the establishment of an EGTC for stakeholders of transnational cooperation (BMVI-Special publications). Berlin: Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur. Download.
Zillmer, S., Böhme, K., Lüer, C. & Stumm, T. (2014b). Leitfaden zur Gründung eines EVTZ für Akteure der grenzüberschreitenden Zusammenarbeit (BMVI-Sonderpublikation). Berlin: Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur. Download.
Zillmer, S., Böhme, K., Lüer, C. & Stumm, T. (2014c). Leitfaden zur Gründung eines EVTZ für Akteure der transnationalen Zusammenarbeit (BMVI-Sonderpublikation). Berlin. Download.
Zillmer, S., Böhme, K., Lüer, C. & Stumm, T. (2014d). Przewodnik po EUWT dla pdmiotów współpracy transgranicznej (BMVI specjalne publikacji). Berlin: Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur. Download.
Zillmer, S. & Lüer, C. (2014). Umsetzung der Territorialen Agenda 2020: Entwicklung regionaler Potenziale im Zusammenhang mit der Weiterentwicklung der TEN-V in drei Modellregionen (BMVI-Sonderpublikation). Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur. Download.
Zillmer, S., Lüer, C. & Toptsidou, M. (2014a). Transnationale Perspektiven für grünes und blaues Wachstum. Wie Kommunen und Regionen im Rahmen von INTERREG IVB nachhaltiges Wachstum fördern und marine Ressourcen nutzen können (BBSR Sonderveröffentlichungen). Bonn: Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung. Download.
Zillmer, S., Lüer, C. & Toptsidou, M. (2014b). Transnational perspectives for green and blue growth. How municipalities and regions can promote sustainable growth and use marine resources in the context of INTERREG IV B (BBSR Special Publications). Bonn: Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung. Download.
Zillmer, S. & Toptsidou, M. (2014). Potential and Limits of the EGTC Instrument for Enhancing Integration across Borders (Spatial Foresight Brief No. 5). Heisdorf: Spatial Foresight. Download.
Kozak, M. & Zillmer, S. (2013). Territorial Cooperation in Poland-Germany-Czech Republic Border Regions. In G. Gorzelak & K. Zawalińska (Eds.), European Territories: From Cooperation to Integration?, pp. 220–229. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar.
Zillmer, S., Böhme, K., Lüer, C., Pflanz, K. & Radvánski, A. (2012). Umsetzung und Wirkungen der Strategie ‘Europa 2020’ in deutschen Regionen (BMVBS-Online-Publikation No. 24/12). Berlin: BMVBS. Download.
Zillmer, S., Böhme, K., Lüer, C., Sauerborn, K., Maurer, J. & Harder, V. (2012a). Territorial cohesion in future EU cohesion policy (Forschungen No. 156). Berlin: BMVBS. Download.
Zillmer, S., Böhme, K., Lüer, C., Sauerborn, K., Maurer, J. & Harder, V. (2012b). Territorialer Zusammenhalt in der künftigen Kohäsionspolitik. Endbericht im Rahmen des Ressortforschungsprojektes „Die territoriale Dimension in der zukünftigen EU-Kohäsionspolitik“ (Forschungen No. 155). Berlin: BMVBS. Download.
Böhme, K. & Zillmer, S. (2010). Die Territoriale Agenda der EU und ihr Aktionsprogramm: Zwischen europäischen Obstkörben und Papiertigern. Informationen Zur Raumentwicklung, 8, pp. 567–576.
Kujath, H. J. & Zillmer, S. (Eds.). (2010). Räume der Wissensökonomie: Implikationen für das deutsche Städtesystem, 1st ed., (Stadt- und Regionalwissenschaften/ Urban and Regional Sciences Vol. 6). Lit Verlag.
Zillmer, S. (2010). Regional Policy - Territorial Cohesion Objectives and Realities. Presented at the RSA Annual International Conference ‘Regional Responses and Global Shifts: Actors, Institutions and Organisations’, 24. - 26. May 2010, Pécs/Hungary: Regional Studies Association.
Kujath, H. J., Zillmer, S., Pflanz, K., Böhme, K., Muschwitz, C. & Spiekermann, K. (2009). Deutschland in Europa (Forschungen No. 135). Berlin/Bonn: BMVBS/BBSR. Download.
Pflanz, K. & Zillmer, S. (2009). Germany in the Light of the Territorial Agenda- The ESPON Perspective. In H. Kilper (Ed.), German Annual of Spatial Research and Policy 2009 New Disparities in Spatial Development in Europe, pp. 187–190. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Zillmer, S. (2009). Abgrenzung und Operationalisierung der Wissensökonomie in Deutschland (Working Paper No. 40). Erkner: Leibniz-Institut für Regionalentwicklung und Strukturplanung.
Kujath, H. J., Pflanz, K., Stein, A. & Zillmer, S. (2008). Raumentwicklungspolitische Ansätze zur Förderung der Wissensgesellschaft (Werkstatt Praxis No. 58). Berlin/Bonn: BMVBS/BBSR.
Kujath, H. J. & Zillmer, S. (2008). Gospodarka oparta na wiedzy w konteście rozwoju regionalnego. In P. Jakubowska, A. Kukliński, & P. Żuber (Eds.), Problematyka przyszłości regionów, pp. 329–338. Warsaw: Polish Ministry of Regional Development.
Kujath, H. J. & Zillmer, S. (2007a). Challenges for Central and Eastern European Metropolitan Regions. Structural Change in Europe 5, Cities and Regions Facing up to Change, pp. 30–36.
Kujath, H. J. & Zillmer, S. (2007b). Knowledge economy and regional development. In P. Jakubowska, A. Kukliński, & P. Żuber (Eds.), The Future of European Regions, pp. 316–325. Warsaw: Polish Ministry of Regional Development.
Müller, K. & Zillmer, S. (2007). Spatial Development Strategies in the Enlarged EU: ESPON Project 1.2.3 on Spatially Relevant Aspects of the Information Society. In D. Scholich (Ed.), German Annual of Spatial Research and Policy 2007 – Territorial Cohesion, pp. 151–158. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer.
Rosenfeld, M. T. W., Alecke, B., Franz, P., Heimpold, G., Kliper, H., Kunkel, K., Untiedt, G. & Zillmer, S. (2007). Interregionale Ausgleichspolitik in Deutschland: Untersuchungen zu den Effekten ausgewählter Systeme zur Herstellung von ‘gleichwertigen Lebensverhältnissen’ (IWH Sonderheft No. 2/2007). Halle: IWH.
Stein, A. & Zillmer, S. (2007). Institutionenökonomische Erklärungen zur räumlichen Entwicklung der Wissensökonomie (Working Paper No. 38). Erkner: Leibniz-Institut für Regionalentwicklung und Strukturplanung.
Zillmer, S. (2007a). Agricultural Labor Allocation Decisions in Polish Agriculture during Transition. In V. Beckmann & K. Hagedorn (Eds.), Understanding Agricultural Transition - Institutional Change and Economic Performance in a Comparative Perspective, pp. 287–328. Aachen: Shaker.
Zillmer, S. (2007b). Wissensintensive Unternehmensdienstleistungen und die Voraussetzungen für deren Export. In H. Heinelt, H. J. Kujath, & K. Zimmermann (Eds.), Wissensbasierte Dienstleister in Metropolräumen, pp. 67–91. Verlag Barbara Budrich.
Kujath, H. J. & Zillmer, S. (2006). Spatial Development Strategies in the New EU Member States: ESPON Project 2.2.2 on Pre-Accession Aid Impact Assessment. In S. Lentz (Ed.), German Annual of Spatial Research and Policy – Restructuring Eastern Germany, pp. 163–166. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer.
Weith, T. & Zillmer, S. (2006). Regions in between – no perspectives for peripheral areas? Presented at the RSA International Conference ‘Shaping EU Regional Policy: Economic, Social and Political Pressures’, 8./9. June 2006, Leuven/Belgium: Regional Studies Association.
Zillmer, S. (2006a). Alternative development paths for transnational cooperation? Presented at the RSA International Conference ‘Shaping EU Regional Policy: Economic, Social and Political Pressures’, 8./9. June 2006, Leuven/Belgium: Regional Studies Association.
Zillmer, S. (2006b). Perspektiven der EU-Förderung in den neuen Mitgliedsländern und Ostdeutschland auf der Grundlage der regionalen Humankapitalausstattung. In K. M. Born, T. Fichtner, & S. Krätke (Eds.), Chancen der EU-Osterweiterung für Ostdeutschland, pp. 51–66. Hannover: ARL.
Krupa, J. & Zillmer, S. (2005). Praxis der Kooperation an der deutsch - polnischen Grenze. In lmut Kriele, U. Lesse, & E. Richter (Eds.), Politisches Handeln in transnationalen Räumen Zusammenarbeit in europäischen Grenzregionen, pp. 125–136. Nomos Verlag.
Zillmer, S. (2005a). Chances for German-Polish Cooperation (IRS Working Paper No. 30). Erkner: Leibniz-Institut für Regionalentwicklung und Strukturplanung.
Zillmer, S. (2005b). Development Potentials for Central and Eastern European Integration Zones – Regional Potentials and Structural Policies under Review. Presented at the RSA International Conferences ‘Regional Growth Agendas’, 28 - 31 May 2005, Aalborg/Denmark: Regional Studies Association.
Zillmer, S. (2005c). Räumliche Wirkungsanalysen europäischer Vorbeitrittshilfen. Praxis Kultur- Und Sozialgeographie, Evaluation in der Praxis: Aktuelle Beispiele aus der Stadt-, Regional- und Umweltentwicklung (33), pp. 143–161.
Kunkel, K., McMaster, I. & Zillmer, S. (2004). Regional Conditions in the Candidate Countries in Relation to ESDP Objectives (Working Paper No. 23). Erkner: Leibniz-Institut für Regionalentwicklung und Strukturplanung
Zillmer, S. (2004). Współpraca Polsko-Niemiecka w Opinii Obywateli Nadgranicznych Miast Podzielonych (Polish-German Cooperation from the Point of View of Citizens in the Respective Twin Cities along the Border). In G. Gorzelak, J. Bachtler, & M. Kasprzyk (Eds.), Współpraca Transgraniczna Unii Europejskiej: Doświadczenia Polsko-Niemieckie (Cross-Border Cooperation in the European Union: Polish-German Experiences), pp. 128–141. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Naukowe ‘Scholar’.
Zillmer, S. & Kunkel, K. (2004). Spatial Impacts of Pre-Accession Aid in Relation to ESDP Objectives. Alfa Spectra – Planning Studies – Central European Journal of Architecture and Planning, 8(2/2004), pp. 16–21.
Zillmer, S. (2002). Arbeitsangebotsverhalten im Transformationsprozess - Eine empirische Analyse des polnischen Agrarsektors (ICAR - Institutional Change in Agriculture and Natural Resources Vol. 9). Aachen: Shaker.
process facilitator & policy adviser
Dr Jean Claude Zeimet
jean-claude.zeimet@spatialforesight.eu