Six research themes:

1. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE CITY
The development of the unlimited urban entity challenges traditional conceptions of the city. It also challenges our perceptions of what constitutes good urban planning. The diversity of concepts from international research demonstrates the necessity of providing theoretical and conceptual clarity, partly as an independent research endeavour unto itself, and partly as a precondition for empirical studies of what the unlimited urban entity consists of.
This theme aims at the development of shared concepts about the urban centre, i.e. a common language for facilitating the exchange of ideas – partly between various users and decision-makers and partly between various scientific traditions.

2. ANALYSIS AND DOCUMENTATION
The development of the unlimited urban entity is described in the existing international literature, but there is a lack of empirical documentation and analysis of this development on Danish soils. The qualitative analysis of new urban entities, of new types of urban spaces and the spaces between them, of changes in the urban architecture, aesthetics and forms of construction can be supplemented with quantitative documentation based on, among other things, the coupling of registry data to geographical information systems. This analysis can provide bodies of urban government with an overview and understanding of the overriding development and specialized knowledge about individual localities. It can thereby serve as the knowledge base for local development strategies.

3. FRAMEWORK AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The economic restructuring forms a new and in many ways homogenous foundation for urban centres and landscapes, the use and possibilities of which can no longer exclusively be found locally, but must also be seen in a global and regional context. On the other hand, this means that the local authorities and other actors must optimally exploit the local potentials and unique characteristics to be able to compete at the global level.
This theme focuses on economic and commercial development as a framework for local development opportunities: on the one hand, the opportunities and limitations that the global knowledge economy sets for the local community; on the other hand, the significance of urban centres for businesses and their capacity to accumulate knowledge. The aim is to create a better basis of knowledge for urban policy strategies.

4. RESIDENCE, MOBILITY AND EVERYDAY LIFE
The development of the unlimited urban entity is closely tied to changes in residential patterns and housing preferences. Merely 15 years ago, single-family dwellings in open suburban areas were widely regarded as the optimal form of housing. Today, however, housing is being constructed in densely populated city neighbourhoods, while at the same time the attractive landscapes in the vicinity of urban centres is almost imperceptibly shifting from agricultural land to housing. Smaller cities and towns in the vicinity of larger urban centres conceive of their supply of available housing in terms of a regional whole, as the massive »commuting hinterland« increases the number of people living in one city and working in another. Towns lying outside of the sphere of influence of the larger cities encounter difficulties attracting the attention of those looking for a home; they are struggling with withering real estate markets.
The focus of investigation in this theme is partly the wishes and preferences playing a role in this development, and partly the significance of the unlimited urban entity for everyday life and the residential environment.

5. THE ENVIRONMENT AND AREA RESOURCES
The development of the unlimited urban entity entails considerable risks of increased environmental strain. A high degree of mobility for goods and persons creates pressure for a dispersed urban development, just as a dispersed urban development increases the need for a high degree of mobility based on private automobiles. The tendency towards the urbanization of the landscape in the vicinity of urban centres comes at the expense of productive agricultural land and increases the pressure on attractive – but vulnerable – landscapes. The spreading of housing for the urban population raises demands for increased services in towns and rural districts. The focus in this theme is on the consequences of the unlimited urban entity for physical space and the conversion of resources in the urban region, with particular attention directed at the need for innovative strategies for sustainable development on the local, national and European levels.

6. URBAN POLICY AND NEW ADMINISTRATIVE METHODS
While the primary responsibility of Danish municipalities has hitherto been the best and most efficient servicing of citizens and businesses, the adaptation and development of the commercial structure and the local urban qualities to conform with the conditions dictated by globalisation and the knowledge society will also constitute a crucial task in the future. In order to illustrate the state of urban policy and administration under these new conditions, the changes taking place in the objectives and instruments of municipal urban policy are described and analysed: which objectives are set by the municipalities and urban bodies of government? Which strategies are they pursuing? And what means are they using to achieve these objectives? On the other hand, new forms of planning and administration are subject to study – governance, partnerships, strategic planning – particularly regarding the significance for the municipal organization, for the actors in the local area, and for the democratic process.