About euricur
The European Institute for Comparative Urban Research
The European Institute for Comparative Urban Research (Euricur) aims to gain a deeper understanding of how cities develop and how they are managed. To that end Euricur initiates and carries out studies on strategic urban issues in response to the challenges cities and metropolitan regions face.
Euricur was founded in 1989 by the Mayors of Rotterdam and Barcelona, and Erasmus University Rotterdam. It has a close relation with Eurocities, a membership organisation of more than 130 European Cities that was founded in 1986. The institute has its seat with Erasmus University Rotterdam, but has a close cooperation with other universities in Europe, the US and Asia. Through its research activities in more than one hundred cities Euricur has access to an extensive network of decision makers and experts in urban management.
Euricur stimulates fundamental international comparative research
into matters that are of interest to cities
Our research philosophy
In our research, we use methods that take into account the complexity of cities. As each city operates in a unique political, economic, cultural and demographic context, comparisons between cities should be made with great care. Our philosophy is that a city can learn from other cities as long as decision makers truly understand the complexity of the urban environment.
Being aware of the complex city environment Euricur studies offer an interdisciplinary view on how cities function, combining theories and concepts from several fields (economics, public management, geography, etc.). With this comprehensive approach our studies result in practical recommendations for politicians and professionals, as well as scientific papers and books.
The results of our international comparative studies can be found in
The Euricur Series: a collection of books on urban management published by Ashgate (UK). Visit http://www.ashgate.com for more information.
Our knowledge and expertise
In its research activities Euricur has gained knowledge and expertise in numerous issues that are related to urban management and urban development. Our studies deal with question such as:
- How should cities respond to the emerging information and knowledge economy?
- What policies on the local, national and European level can be developed to promote sustainable urban development?
- What is the strategic position of city centres in emerging polycentric systems?
- How can cities organise place marketing strategies?
- Under what conditions do urban clusters grow?
- What policies can be developed to improve safety and security in cities?
- How can companies be involved in securing healthy cities?
- How to develop cross-border and cross-sector partnerships?
- What is the impact of culture on the economic development of cities?
- How important is manufacturing in the new urban economy?
- What is the role of design in urban economic development?
- How to secure accessibility in cities in view of sustainable urban development?
- What are the implications of climate change for urban development?
Euricur continuously broadens its scope by exploring new themes anticipating the global trends cities are confronted with.
What we do
Euricur provides knowledge on urban management and urban development to scholars, policy makers and professionals. We carry out research and give recommendations to the European Commission, ministries, municipalities, regional authorities, chambers of commerce, and businesses. As our studies demonstrate the need for a new type of urban manager – in the public, private and nonprofit sectors – our institute participates in several accredited educational programmes:
- The Master’s Programme Urban, Port and Transport Economics, at
- The postgraduate Master of Science (MSc) 'Management of the European Metropolitan Region' (MEMR), together with five universities across Europe;
- The Master City Developer (MCD), in cooperation with
- Master Courses in Urban Management and Development (UMD), organised by IHS (Institute for Housing and Urban Developement Studies).
Moreover, Euricur offers short executive courses and master classes which give policy makers, advisors and managers in the field of urban management a chance to get in touch with modern visions on urban development and planning.
The Euricur network
Euricur has done research in more than one hundred cities across the globe. In these cities we work together with local experts from universities, chambers of commerce, and local/regional authorities. Our website, www.euricur.nl, gives an overview of the cities in our network, the projects in which they participated, and the publications in which they are analysed.
In North America and China, we work together with counterparts:
- The North American Institute for Comparative Urban Research (Namicur), based at the University of Missouri, St. Louis.
- The Sino-Europe Comparative Urban Research Center (Securc), based at Shanghai Normal University.
In Rotterdam, Euricur participates in the Erasmus Centre for Urban Management Studies (ECUMS): a platform initiated by the Erasmus School of Economics uniting researchers within the university who work on urban management issues.More information can be obtained at www.ecums.nl.
Our team
Euricur projects are carried by researchers from several universities, but most of them are employed by Erasmus University Rotterdam. The director of the institute is Prof.Dr. Leo van den Berg, professor of regional economics and city development.
Contact
Visiting adress
Erasmus University Rotterdam, Woudestein Complex
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50 H-building, 12th floor, room 27
T: +31.10.4081186
F: +31.10.4089153
E: info@euricur.nl
Postal address
European Institute for Comparative Urban Research (EURICUR)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
P.O. Box 1738 Room H12-27
3000 DR Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Download our brochure here.
