2nd Zurich–Bern–Wisconsin Conference on Real Estate and Urban Economics 2026
Hosted by the University of Bern and co-organized by the Universities of Zurich and Wisconsin-Madison
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural workshop, the Universities of Zurich, Bern, and Wisconsin–Madison are pleased to announce the 2nd Zurich–Bern–Wisconsin Conference on Real Estate and Urban Economics.
This conference continues a planned annual series initiated by researchers from the Finance and Economics Departments at the University of Zurich and the Economics Department at the University of Bern, with the aim of highlighting outstanding research in real estate finance and urban economics while fostering meaningful interaction across these closely connected fields. The addition of the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison further strengthens the international scope and academic exchange of the initiative.
Program
The event will bring together leading scholars and promising early-career researchers, offering an excellent platform for presenting theoretical and empirical work.
A dedicated session will be reserved for PhD student submissions, underscoring the conference’s commitment to supporting emerging researchers and encouraging scholarly dialogue across career stages.
Date: 25 - 26 June 2026 (THU/FRI), 09:00 - 18:30 CET
Location: University of Bern, Switzerland
Optional Excursion: Saturday, 27 June 2026, in the Bernese Alps
Contact: realestate.workshop@df.uzh.ch
Keynote
How does homeownership influence wealth accumulation, mobility, and economic dynamism?
And what policy frameworks promote homeownership without hindering adaptability?
In his keynote address, “The Risks and Rewards of Homeownership”, Prof. Fernando Ferreira from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, explores the role that homeownership plays in wealth accumulation, residential mobility, and labor markets.
Date: FRI, 26 June 2026, 15:30 - 16:45 CET
Location: University of Bern, Switzerland (Hauptgebäude: Room 220, Hochschulstrasse 4, 3012 Bern)
Registration: https://www.forumwirtschaft.ch/event/real-estate-finance-and-economics-conference-2026/
Scientific Committee:
- Francisco Amaral, University of Zurich (UZH)
- Maximilian von Ehrlich, University of Bern (UNIBE)
- Lu Han, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Christian Hilber, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of Zurich (UZH)
- Olivier Schöni, University of Lausanne
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UZH Center for Urban & Real Estate Management (CUREM) The centers offers practice-oriented training, in-depth research and valuable networking opportunities in the real estate industry. Website (in German): www.curem.uzh.ch/de.html |
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More information:
Zurich-Bern Real Estate Finance and Economics Conference 2025
Image Source: Kostiantyn Li via Unsplash