This handbook is the result of work started in 2019 at the initiative of Lausanne (city and university) and co-ordinated by the Parma Secretariat (city and university), with the aim of describing the state-of-the-art of collaboration models currently in use.
It was co-developed by the members of the EUniverCities Network and edited by Willem van Winden as lead expert of the Network.
On 2 December 2021, in the Teatro Regio di Parma, Italy, the EUniverCities Network proudly presented its handbook for strategic city-university co-operation at the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Network.
Part one offers insights and guidance for setting up collaborations, maintaining them, and reaping the rewards.
Chapters 1 and 2 identify the drivers and barriers that encourage, promote or hinder collaboration, seen from the perspective of both the university and the city.
Chapter 3 presents a typology of university-city collaboration models that can be found in Europe, ranging from very strategic frameworks to models for more specific purposes.
Chapters 4, 5 and 6 provide practical guidance for starting up a collaboration (chapter 4), consolidating it (chapter 5) and valorising the results (chapter 6).
Part two of the handbook contains extensive case studies from Ghent, Lausanne, Trondheim and Turku, originating from a series of online workshops.
Part three contains a rich collection of shorter case studies of city-university collaboration; each case ends with key takeaways and lessons learned. Evidently, each city and country is different in terms of history, culture and policy context, with deep implications for the way cities and universities can best frame their partnership. Probably, there are no one-size-fits-all ‘winning’ strategies. Hence, this handbook must be read as a source of inspiration for local initiators of strategic collaboration rather than as a source of ready-made solutions.
You can download the handbook by following this link: Handbook
About the Handbook: Willem van Winden / +31 (0) 641427013 / w.van.winden@urbaniq.nl
About EUniverCities: EUniverCities Secretariat / eunivercities@exeter.ac.uk