This article analyses awareness, application, and competence in dealing with spatial planning methods among practitioners in German municipalities. Based on the textbook by Fürst and Scholles (2008) and a previous study by Diller (2009a), a nationwide survey was conducted among municipalities with a population of 10,000 or more. The results of the complete survey show that process-related methods such as moderation and project management are widespread, while elaborate evaluation methods such as utility analyses are often known but rarely used. Methodological expertise increases significantly with age, professional experience, and field of activity, especially in project management. The low importance of universities as a place of learning in contrast to work contexts, self-study, and training was surprising. At the same time, the planning theory background also shows influence: Respondents with strategic or third-generation planning as a guiding principle have higher methodological competence. The study suggests that the choice of methods is an expression of basic planning attitudes. At the same time, a need for adaptation in university education becomes clear in order to strengthen basic methodological skills at an early stage and to teach them in an application-oriented way. The results provide impetus for teaching, practice, and research.
