Aims and Focus

The Cambridge Real Estate Research Centre (CRERC) co-ordinates and acts as a focus for applied research in real estate within the Department of Land Economy and across the University of Cambridge.  It aims to ensure that real estate research in the University is “world class” and to raise the profile and impact of real estate research by members of the University in the wider academic, policy and business communities.  The Centre works with  other academic organisations, professional bodies and industry to ensure research is of the highest quality, is relevant and has maximum impact.

The primary aim of the Centre is to build and maintain a stream of applied real estate research that is innovativeinterdisciplinary and industry-relevant

Research on real estate within the Centre and the department is broad ranging and international in scope. The Centre's current main areas of research activity relate to:

  • Analysis of real estate investment vehicles
  • The interaction of real asset and credit/capital markets
  • The role and performance of real assets in investment portfolios
  • Loan and mortgage finance
  • Sustainability and environmental performance
  • Urban development and interaction with real estate
  • Digital and machine learning technology and its use in real estate
  • Behavioural influences in finance

The Centre’s research projects, whether independent, conducted collaboratively with industry, chosen by our advisory board of industry experts or bespoke — are rigorous, objective and focused on the key issues for industry and our partner organisations.

 

CRERC is a non-profit making organisation with any surpluses used to support further research and education in the Centre, the Department of Land Economy and wider University of Cambridge.

Annual Reports

Further Information

  • More about CRERC

    The CRERC is one of five research centres within the Real Estate and Urban Analysis Research Group in the Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge and receives guidance from the Cambridge Land Economy Advisory Board's research committee.

    Our work combines the perspectives of the faculty of the Department notably finance, economics, planning, environmental policy and spatial analysis

    In addition to research, the CRERC centre staff:

    • lead on delivery of the part-time Masters in Real Estate Programme [MSt] drawing on the multi-disciplinary strengths of the Centre, Department and University
    • direct and provide modules in the MPhil programme on Real Estate Finance
    • supervise undergraduate, MPhil and PhD student dissertations
    • engage with institutional investors, property companies, policy makers and other thought leaders nationally and globally around issues relating to real estate and real assets
    • author and contribute to major reports and papers relevant to today's industry and to decision-making and future strategy

    The Centre holds a number of events and seminars.  These include our hosting our annual Cambridge Real Estate Research Club and a series of Real Estate Practice seminars during the Lent Term .

    We  provide consultancy support to business and industry.  This includes specifically tailored training and development sessions and/or conferences for senior and high performing employees within the field. 

    All of our activities and interactions with industry contribute to shaping the direction of the Centre and future research, ensuring that the work of CRERC continues to be innovative, interdisciplinary and industry-relevant.

  • Sponsorship & Partners

    The Centre is grateful for sponsorship and donations, and is also keen to discuss working with partners. This may include:

    • Access to a unique real estate research facility—research, data and the expertise
    • Bespoke, joint or collaborative research projects focused on key strategic issues for the individual organisation
    • Consultancy, support and advice for industry research teams and management
    • Bespoke executive training and development, conferences or events
      • Assistance in building awareness and providing a potential talent pipeline for organisations amongst the international student cohort

    If you would like to find out more about sponsoring the Centre please email Nick Mansley, Executive Director.

    The Centre is also extremely grateful for the financial and broader support of the Cambridge Land Economy Advisory Board (CLEAB) that have helped fund and enable its activities.