The research unit has as a general aim to analyse and research the relationships between economics and urban space, designed or to be designed, in two aspects: the influence of the economy in the urban social space in which it develops, and the influence of space, design, social and urban organisational structure in the characteristics and possibilities of economic development.
The term urban design is understood in a broad sense, including not only the spatial forms, but also the social structures that underlie them. Urban spatial forms include: history, location-demarcation, planning, infrastructure, strategies and socio-aesthetic conceptions. It is, therefore, a term that includes everything, hardly definable in specific areas.
The term economics addresses the socio-economic aspects that occur and interact in a given physical environment taken as urban design already developed, or to be developed or modified. The socio-economic aspects encompass the economic and social characteristics that are or may be relevant and/or differentiating for the greater understanding of reality with a view to possible strategic actions or spatial design.
In principle, the physical subject of study is one that is confined to urban areas (urban in a non-strict sense) of Metropolitan Areas and specifically that of Valencia, knowing that such subject is in constant process of demarcation.