TOD-IS-RUR

Project overview

TOD IS RUR is an innovative training network (ITN) funded by the European Union, which focuses on the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) planning model—a model centred on public transport—in the context of rural-urban regions (RUR).

This international network aims to address the challenge posed by urban sprawl in Europe by broadening understanding of urban planning policies centred on public transport across rural-urban areas. The focus here is on a contextual approach, in which the interactions between mobility and urbanisation are examined in relation to social and environmental factors.

This European programme (MSCA-ITN-H2020) is structured around 10 PhD projects running from 2021 to 2025. It is coordinated by the University of Antwerp (Greet de Block) and brings together nine universities: the University of Antwerp, École des Ponts ParisTech, EPFL, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SLU, TU Berlin, TU Eindhoven, the University of Amsterdam and Université Gustave Eiffel.

The nine participating universities and twelve partner organisations form a unique platform for ten PhD students. It offers them an interdisciplinary and cross-cutting education, enabling them to analyse spatial planning in rural-urban regions and to develop new planning principles tailored to the contexts of rural and urban regions (RUR). The research undertaken draws on a wide range of European regions and draws on expertise in urban studies.