Faculty of Spatial Sciences

The Faculty of Spatial Sciences is a growing faculty with an open character. We have short lines between staff and students. We focus on geography, demography and spatial planning. Our vision is of a society that is spatially transformed in ways that allow for high levels of wellbeing and innovation. Our mission as a faculty is to undertake and disseminate, via research and teaching, world-leading and highly distinctive research which helps to realize this vision.

Research

Our researchers are driven to understand the relationship between places and people. With regard to today’s societal challenges - a growing world population, increased settling in urban areas, the effects of climate change - how to develop our places in a sustainable way becomes important. We derive our inspiration for studying these problems from across the globe. Our research domain is the world and our urban laboratory often the Netherlands. Studying the complexity of the relationship between people and places in various and diverse settings, locally, regionally and internationally increases the relevance of our research and teaching. It follows that we disseminate our findings and insights locally, regionally, and internationally. This is also reflected in our staff, which is internationally diverse

Education

With two bachelor and six master programmes, the faculty offers a wide range of courses within the field to about 1100 students. The faculty conducts both fundamental and applied research. The faculty in Groningen is the only independent faculty of Spatial Sciences in the Netherlands.