New professorships in Real Estate Economics & Finance from autumn 2024
Das CUREM setzt einen bedeutenden Schritt in seiner Weiterentwicklung. Gemeinsam mit drei Funding Partnern schafft das Institut ab Herbst 2024 zwei neue Professuren im Bereich «Real Estate Economics & Finance». Diese Erweiterung stärkt die wissenschaftliche Expertise des CUREM und etabliert Zürich weiter als führenden Standort für immobilienwirtschaftliche Forschung und Lehre.
CUREM is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its academic focus. From autumn 2024, two new professorships in the field of “Real Estate Economics & Finance” will be established, supported by three major funding partners from the real estate industry. This step not only marks a milestone in the history of CUREM, but also sets new standards for cooperation between academic research and practice in the real estate industry.
The creation of these professorships underlines CUREM’s role as a leading provider of further education and research in the property industry in Zurich. The close exchange between science and practice is of central importance: “We are firmly convinced that the interplay between academic research and practical knowledge forms the basis of excellent further education,” says the CUREM management.
Academic excellence meets practice-orientated teaching
Two renowned academics have been recruited for the new professorships, who enjoy both international and national recognition and share the vision of academic excellence and practice-orientated teaching: Prof Dr Christian Hilber and Dr Francisco Amaral.
An international expert in housing policy and urban development
Prof. Dr Christian Hilber will take up a part-time professorship ad personam (20%) at the University of Zurich from autumn 2024. Hilber, who is currently Professor of Economic Geography at the London School of Economics (LSE), brings with him outstanding expertise in the field of housing policy and urban development. These topics are also highly relevant for Switzerland, where housing policy is facing major challenges.
“It is a particular pleasure for me to be able to contribute my experience in Zurich. Switzerland is facing major challenges in the area of housing policy, and I am convinced that together we can develop solutions that are both economically and socially sustainable,” emphasises Prof. Hilber.
In addition to his academic career, Prof. Hilber has extensive experience in advising governments and international organisations such as the OECD and the Asian Development Bank. His work at CUREM will further strengthen international networking and the practical exchange of knowledge.
Focus on financial and real estate economics
Dr Francisco Amaral, who will be an assistant professor (100%) at the University of Zurich from October 2024, brings valuable expertise at the interface of financial and real estate economics. His research focuses on the interactions between risk and return in housing markets under different macroeconomic conditions.
“In Switzerland, as in many Western countries, the housing market plays a central role in the financial stability and well-being of society. To develop sustainable measures that make the market more resilient and affordable, we need to understand what factors influence risk and return,” explains Dr Amaral, who holds a PhD from the University of Bonn.
With his extensive research experience, Dr Amaral contributes significantly to the scientific consolidation and further development of CUREM, particularly in the areas of financial market analysis and real estate economics.
Strengthening Zurich as a centre for real estate research
The establishment of these professorships is not only a decisive step for CUREM, but also for Zurich as a location. The expanded scientific focus will further strengthen Zurich as a leading hub for property research and teaching in Europe. The close cooperation between science and practice will promote the transfer of knowledge and contribute to the development of innovative solutions for current challenges in the property sector.
A pioneering step for the property sector
With the new professorships in “Real Estate Economics & Finance”, CUREM is sending a clear signal for the future direction of real estate research and teaching in Zurich. The combination of academic excellence with practice-orientated knowledge will not only strengthen CUREM in the long term, but also the entire property sector. Prof Dr Christian Hilber and Dr Francisco Amaral will bring with them valuable experience and fresh impetus that will contribute to the further development of the institute and to overcoming the challenges of the housing market.
This exciting development marks the beginning of a new era for CUREM and the property sector in Switzerland. We look forward to the future collaboration and the new perspectives that these professorships will open up.