The annual meeting of the ARLs Junges Forum forum for young professionals on 6-8 October 2016 in Leipzig addressed various aspects of the energy transition-when, where, how and why? In presentations and discussion groups, they considered not only technical, legal and planning aspects related to infrastructure expansion and the management and structuring of the energy transition, but also its significance for spatial development. The focus of the annual meeting was selected in view of the current importance of the issue. The transition is a process intended to ensure a safe, environmentally friendly and economically successful future and as such involves a broad spectrum of social, planning and scientific challenges and opportunities that require more in-depth consideration and analysis. The following questions thus provided the starting points for the presentations: What are the key action areas for the implementation of the energy transition? How will the cities and the countryside of the future look? How do the various actors behave and how do they react to different technologies? Where and why do conflicts and competition emerge and how can resistance and acceptance be dealt with? These key questions were the focus of the annual meeting and informed the following themes: How smart is the city of the future? Pole position for new form: of mobility and We say no! - public protest in the energy transition.