ERSA - European Regional Science Association

PLEASE IMPORTANT: The number of rooms is limited. Please book your hotel room well in advance. Rates are guaranteed until July 10th, 2011.

Details on the currency exchange rate.

Looking for a Roommate?

Some delegates propose share his/her room with one colleague attending the Congress. If you want to advert your demand, please email us: info@ersa.org. We will post your request and email.

Current demands:

1. Mr Gilderbloom proposes to share his room with one colleague attending the Congress. If you are interested advise him directly: jgilde02@sprynet.com

ERSA 2011- Exhibitors Opportunities

Become an ERSA Exhibitor at the Barcelona Congress

2011 Exhibition and Promotion Opportunities

A wide range of opportunities is available at the ERSA congress. Exhibitor’s stand, Congress book advert, Poster Zone, and the EPAINOS Prize sponsorship.

Stands will be located in the Networking Area at the Congress

For the 2011 Congress, a Networking Area has been specially put together and will welcome the ERSA & RSAI stands, the Congress Info Point, the Registration Desk and of course the Exhibition stands near the lunches & coffee breaks.

The Networking Area will be equipped with wifi and will be the Meeting Point for delegates to network and have direct access to exhibitors and books on display.

Over 1177 abstracts were submitted to the congress. More than 1000 delegates are expected to come.

The 51st ERSA Congress will be the occasion to organise special activities in the Networking Area like tom bola and ERSA section meetings. The Networking Area will be at the heart of the congress!

View our Brochure below and please do not hesitate to contact us at the ERSA Office for further information.

Traveling to / from Barcelona

Information on Traveling to / from Barcelona in Spain for the 51st European Congress of the Regional Science Association International August 30 - 3 September, 2011.

By PLANE, TRAIN or CAR … even by BOAT!

You can get to Barcelona by any means of transport. Here’s some information about all the available options to help you decide which type of transport suits you best.

By PLANE

Via Barcelona Airport, El Prat.

Barcelona Airport, El Prat, is located just 12 km outside the city. Girona Airport, north of the city, and Reus, to the south, are a little over an hour away. Lleida Airport, to the west, is just over two hours away.

Connections between Barcelona and the airport and back:

Aerobús (A1 and A2)

• Daily service between Plaça de Catalunya and Barcelona Airport.

• Frequency: every 10 minutes.

• Approximate journey time: 30 minutes.

• Barcelona - airport route: Plaça de Catalunya (in front of El Corte Inglés department store) Sepúlveda/Urgell - Plaça d’Espanya/Creu Coberta - Barcelona Airport (terminals T1 and T2).

• Airport - Barcelona route: Airport (terminals T1 and T2) -
• Plaça d’Espanya/av. Reina M. Cristina
• Gran Via de les C. C./Comte d’Urgell
• Plaça de la Universitat - Plaça de Catalunya.

• Ticket price: 5 € (single); € 8,65 (return).

• Times: Departures from Pl. de Catalunya, from 5.28am to 12.30am. |
• Departures from Barcelona Airport, from 6am to 1am.

• For further information about the Barcelona Aerobús: Tel. 933 841 758.

Trains from the Airports (RENFE)

• Daily connections with Barcelona Airport from the Renfe (Spanish Rail) stations at Sants.
• Frequency: every 30 minutes.
• Journey time: 19 minutes (from Sants).
• Times: Departures from Sants, from 5.35am to 11.09pm.
• Departures from Barcelona Airport, from 6.08am to 11.38pm.
• For further information about the train to Barcelona airport: www.renfe.es.

Buses from the Airports (TMB)

• The 46 bus runs from Pl. d’Espanya to Barcelona Airport (T1 and T2).
• Frequency: every 30 minutes.
• Single ticket price: 1.45 € (integrated fare).
• Times: Departures from Pl. d’Espanya, from 5am to 12.15am.
• Departures from Barcelona Airport, from 5.30am to 12.45am.
• For further information: www.tmb.cat.

Night buses from the Airports (NITBUS)

• The N17 night bus operates from Pl. Catalunya to Barcelona Airport, stopping at Pl. d’Espanya.
• Frequency: every 20 minutes.
• Single ticket price: 1.45 € (integrated fare).
• Times: Departures from Pl. Catalunya, from 11pm to 5am.
• Departures from Pl. d’Espanya, from 11.10pm to 5.10am. | Departures from Barcelona Airport, from 9.50pm to 4.50am.
• Further information about the night bus service to Barcelona Airport is available on the website: www.emt-amb.com.

By CAR from the Airport

• The C-31 Barcelona-Castelldefels road leads to Barcelona Airport, and connects with the C-32 Barcelona-Sitges road.
• From the Avinguda Diagonal, the Ronda de Dalt and Ronda Litoral ring roads also connect with the C-31.
• The estimated journey time from Bracelona city centre to the airport is about 20 minutes.

By TRAIN

Barcelona has direct railway links with a number of important cities, including Paris, Zurich and Milan, and the high-speed train runs to Madrid, southern and eastern Spain. The city’s major railway stations and metropolitan rail network ensure you can travel to Barcelona and anywhere by train without any difficulties.

Barcelona Sants Station Pl. Paisos catalans s/n 08014 Barcelona

• Time: 4.30am to 12am.
• Metro: L5 and L3.
• Bus: 27, 30, 32, 43, 44, 78 y 109.

Barcelona Sants Station is the city’s main railway station and most trains departing and arriving in Barcelona stop here. The station is the terminus for the High-Speed Train and many Spanish and foreign destinations, suburban rail and trains to Barcelona Airport.

• Nacional trains

• AVE: Barcelona – Tarragona – Lleida – Saragossa – Madrid.

• Euromed: Barcelona – Tarragona – València – Alacant.

• ARCO: Connecting Barcelona, València, Andalusia and Extremadura.

• TALGO: Connecting Barcelona with other spanish cities.

• Tren Estrella: Connecting Barcelona and the North of Spain.

• Regional | Surrounding areas trains

• Regional trains: to Tarragona, Costa Daurada, Tortosa, Lleida, Girona, Figueres, Portbou.

• Surrounding areas: Mataró – Maçanet, Vic, Vilanova, Vilafranca, Manresa.

• Trains to the airport

• Information and ticket sales

• Monday to Friday, 5.15am to 10.30pm.
• Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 6.10am to 10.30pm.
  

Estació de França

• França Station
• Av. Marquès de l’Argentera, s/n 08003 Barcelona
• Time: 6am to 11.30pm.
• Metro: L4.
• Bus: 39 and 51.

The building dates back to 1929 and is one of the most important examples of Spain’s iron architecture. Two parts of Barcelona’s França Station are of relevance: the large lobby covered by three vaults and the huge metal naves that cover the platforms. International and regional trains, as well as trains to Barcelona Airport, depart from this station.

• International passenger trains

• "Catalan Talgo": Barcelona – Montpelier.
• Elipsos Trenhotel "Joan Miró": Barcelona – París (Austerlitz).
• Elipsos Trenhotel "Pau Casals": Barcelona – Zurich/Berna.
• Elipsos Trenhotel "Salvador Dalí": Barcelona – Milan.
• See international trains: www.elipsos.com.

• Regional | Surrounding areas trains

• Regional trains to Tarragona, Costa Daurada, Tortosa, Lleida.
• Trains to Barcelona airport .

Information and ticket sales

• Daily, 6.30am to 10pm.

Passeig de Gràcia Station

• Passeig de Gràcia - Aragó, s/n 08007 Barcelona.
• Time: 5am to 12am.
• Metro: L2, L3 and L4.
• Bus: 17, 22, 24 and 28.

• Regional | Surrounding areas trains

• Regional trains to Girona – Figueres – Portbou; Costa Garraf; Costa Daurada – Tarragona – Tortosa; Reus; Lleida – Saragossa.

• Trains to the airport.

Information and ticket sales

• Daily, 7am to 10pm.

By CAR

Barcelona is well connected and has a large amount of car parks. The motorway and road network will take you anywhere in the city by car although it’s worth bearing in mind that traffic can be heavy at the main entry points of Barcelona during rush hour.

Motorways and roads

• Barcelona is located 150 km from La Jonquera, the French border. The French motorway network connects to the AP-7, N-II and C-32 Barcelona motorway. You can enter the city via the ring roads or the Avinguda Meridiana which leads to the centre.
• From the south, if you’re entering from the rest of Spain join the AP-2 motorway and enter the city via the Avinguda Diagonal.

Car parks

• Barcelona has a large number of car parks for cars, many of them located in the city centre. Parking rates range from 2 and 3€ per hour to around 35€ for a whole day.
• There are also paid parking areas in the street (blue zones + green area) and charges vary according to the zone of Barcelona.

By Bus around Barcelona

The bus station in Barcelona that has the most national and international connections is Barcelona Nord Bus Station. Buses also depart from Barcelona Sants station and other areas of the city.

Estació d’Autobusos Barcelona Nord

• Barcelona Nord Bus Station
• Alí-bei, 80 (08013)
• Opening time: daily, 24 hours.
• Metro: L1 - Arc de Triomf.
• Bus: 54.

This is Barcelona’s main bus station operating services to the main Spanish cities, Europe and North Africa. Station facilities: Tourist Information Office, lockers, bureau de change, etc.

Information and ticket sales

• www.barcelonanord.com
• Tel. 902 260 606/ 902 303 222.

Estació d’autobusos Barcelona Sants

• Sants Bus Station
• Viriat, s/n (08014) – Next to the railway station
• Opening time: 4.30pm to 12am.
• Metro: L5 and L3 - Sants Estació.
• Bus: 27, 30, 32, 43, 44, 78 and 109.

The offices of the bus companies operating services in Spain and abroad are located next to Barcelona-Sants railway station. Station facilities: www.adif.es

By BOAT

Barcelona has become the Mediterranean’s foremost cruise ship harbour. It has nine passenger terminals, seven for cruise liners and four for ferries. It has connections with the Balearic Islands and the main Mediterranean harbours.

Vaixell Port de Barcelona

• Pl. Portal de la Pau, 6 (08039) Barcelona
• Tel. 932 986 000
• www.apb.es

The Port de Barcelona operates services to the Balearic Islands and the main Mediterranean ports. Ferries depart daily for the Balearic Islands and there is a direct service to the port of Genoa, Rome and Algiers-Oran.

For information about ferry company timetables and prices operating in Port de Barcelona:

• From/to the Balearic Islands

• Acciona-Trasmediterránea: Tel. 902 454 645 | www.trasmediterranea.es
• Balearia: Tel. 902 160 180 | www.balearia.com
• Iscomar: Tel. 902 119 128 - 971 437 500 | www.iscomar.com

• From/to Genoa and Tangier

• Grimaldi Group Grandi Navi Veloci: Tel. 902 401 200 | www.gnv.it

• From/to Rome and Livorno

• Grimaldi Ferries/ Trasmediterránea:
• Tel. 902 454 645 – 902 531 333
• www.grimaldi-ferries.com

• To Algiers

• Canam: Tel. 933 440 469.

2011 ERSA Congress Barcelona - Technical Visits

The Barcelona Local Organising Committee (LOC) has made a selection of Technical Visits that we believe will be of interest to the ERSA 2011 Congress Participants.

The basis of "Supply" makes reference to 3 great infrastructures of Barcelona: Port , Airport and Rail Network, and 3 great economic innovations areas in Barcelona: Zona Franca de Barcelona, 22@ Barcelona and Consorci Parc d’Alba in Cerdanyola del Vallès in which the Sincrotó Alba is located and where synergies in the economic, academic and scientific world can be appreciated.

Further information on "How to Register" and the "Dates" of the visits is available below:

The Technical Visits will take place on the Wednesday, 31st of August and theThursday, 1st of September as from 15Hr to 19Hr.

As well as, a special visit to Zaragoza - Saturday 3rd September 2011

Attendance to the Technical Visits is reserved to registered participants only.

Due to the limited number of persons per visit, we ask each participant to select only ONE visit, it would be on a first come, first served basis.

"How to Register" please click HERE to register for these technical visits.

Transportation has been arranged to leave the Faculty of Economics and Business, of the University of Barcelona, to the various Technical Visits.

The language will be in English and the average duration of each activity is from 2-3 hours.

Technical Visits for Wednesday 31st of August 2011

RENFE-Ministerio de Fomento

http://www.fomento.gob.es/MFOM/LANG_CASTELLANO/default.htm?lang=en

http://www.renfe.com/

1. Aeroport de Barcelona Airport

There will be an explanation on the expansion of new Terminal 1 and the development plan of the infrastructure. There will be tour to the Baggage Handling System (SATE) and the Airport Management Center (CGA).

For security reasons, the LOC must have a confirmed list of those persons attending this visit, with a list of names and ID/Passport Number.

• Name of the activity: Aeroport de Barcelona Airport
• Place: Aeroport de Barcelona Airport, Terminal 1 - Room "Espai"
• Day & Time: Wednesday 31st August at 15:45hr; Transportation by bus from the Faculty of Economics and Business.
• Duration of the activity: 2 -3 Hrs
• Maximum number of participants: 25

More Information

2. Sagrera Estación de tren (Train Station)

The visit to the Sagrera Train Station will consist of a tour and a presentation on the expansion of AVE (High Speed Train) and the development plan of the train network infrastructure.

• Name of the activity: Sagrera Estación de tren (Train Station)
• Place: Sagrera Estación de tren (Train Station)
• Day & Time: Wednesday 31st August at 15:45hr; Transportation by bus from the Faculty of Economics and Business.
• Duration of the activity: 2 Hrs
• Maximum number of participants: 25

More Information

Technical Visits for Thursday 1st of September 2011

1. 22@

In 2000 the Barcelona City Council approved a new urban planning ordinance aimed at transforming the old industrial area of Poblenou, with obsolete factories that had long ago been abandoned or were simply not very productive, into a magnet for new activities. This new ordinance allowed for a new land designation called 22@, which substituted the traditional industrial designation 22a.

The Director of Urbanization will make a presentation on the city-planning and economic innovation of the district and the development stages of the past 10 years. The final part of the visit will be done by foot.

• Name of the activity: 22@
• Place: A guided visit to the 22@ District
• Day & Time: Thursday 1st September at 15:45hr; Transportation by bus from the Faculty of Economics and Business.
• Duration of the activity: 2 Hrs
• Maximum number of participants: 45

More Information

2. Parc de L’ALBA

Parc de L’ALBA is one of Catalonia’s most strategic projects and aims to become an important driver of scientific and technological development in southern Europe.

This project is creating an international knowledge hub in the heart of the Barcelona metropolitan region, that can bring together 40,000 jobs linked to added value activities.

The Head of the Area of Promotion - Valentí Llagostera, will make a presentation of the scientific and economic project more innovating in Catalonia, which has a special relevance by its location and its policies of sustainability. A key part of the visit is the "ALBA Synchrotron Light Source". At the end there will be a bus tour of the park.

For security reasons, the LOC must have a confirmed list of those persons attending this visit, with a list of names and ID/Passport Number.

• Name of the activity: Parc de L’ALBA
• Place: The auditorium of the Parc de L’ALBA
• Day & Time: Thursday 1st September at 15:45hr; Transportation by bus from the Faculty of Economics and Business.
• Duration of the activity: 2 - 3 Hrs
• Maximum number of participants: 60

More Information

3. Port de Barcelona (Barcelona’s Harbour)

The Port of Barcelona is set up as a large network of facilities and services spread out throughout the region, accessible to clients and offering comprehensive door-to-door logistics services.

The port premises, in addition to being a major territorial and economic infrastructure, serve as the hub for this set of service centres (port terminals, the Logistics Activities Area, inland maritime terminals, intermodal terminals, depots, etc.), which have global reach and are linked by multimodal transport corridors.

The visit will be comprised of a presentation on the economic development of the Port, with a boat tour of the Harbour city. From there, we will be shown the terminal of the Cruises, the terminal of the Containers and the Cars, as well as, the expansion and development of the Harbour.

• Name of the activity: Port de Barcelona (Barcelona’s Harbour)
• Place: At the Room "Acts’s" of the Barcelona Harbour & a guided boat visit
• Day & Time: Thursday 1st September at 15:45hr; Transportation by bus from the Faculty of Economics and Business.
• Duration of the activity: 2 -3 Hrs
• Maximum number of participants: 40

More Information

Click HERE to see further images of the port

4. Zona Franca de Barcelona

The Zona Franca de Barcelona is a zone next to the Port of Barcelona, that is reconverting its activity from the one of industrial storage to the logistics and intensive services in knowledge in scopes of the health, cultural and creative industries, etc.

The excursion to the Zona Franca de Barcelona will include the presentation of the Metropolitan Strategic Plan of Barcelona which will contextualize the set of action and methodology followed in the last 15 years to coordinate the improvements of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. The organisation will make presentations on the new projects that are being developed at this present moment.

• Name of the activity: Zona Franca de Barcelona - Pla Estratégic BNC
• Place: The auditorium of the Zona Franca de Barcelona
• Day & Time: Thursday 1st September at 15:45hr; Transportation by bus from the Faculty of Economics and Business.
• Duration of the activity: 2-3 Hrs
• Maximum number of participants: 60

More Information

1. Zaragoza Saturday 3rd September 2011

The Zaragoza-Delicias station is worth while a visit as one the largest intermodal high speed train and bus stations; located in an expanding area of Zaragoza, it has revaluated this new area of the city.

This technical/social visit includes a High Speed Train trip to Zaragoza (300 km away). Once there, you will visit the High Speed Regulation and Control Center.

All high speed train transit between Madrid – Barcelona – French Border is controlled from this high tech center using the Da Vinci system patented by Adif. Da Vinci is one the world’s most advanced Systems for programming all the transit needs such as signage, security, energy, information and programmes signage, security, energy, information, etc, and together with Indra it is being exported to other countries.

• Duration of the visit to the station and the CRC: approximately 1h30min – 2hrs.

The visit will follow this programme:

• 10:00 Departure from Barcelona – Sants station
• 11:47 Arrival at Zaragoza – Delicias station
• 12:00 Visit to the CRC (High Speed Regulation and Control Center)
• 14:30 Lunch
• 16:00 Touristic tour of Zaragoza
• 18:55 Departure from Zaragoza-Delicias station
• 20:48 Arrival at Barcelona – Sants station

Please be present at least 20 minutes before each train departure.

Price for the Technical Visit is: 100 euros

Note: Train timetables to be confirmed at a later date.

Accompanying Persons Programme & Post-Congress Tours

2011 ERSA Congress Barcelona

The Barcelona Local Organising Committee has made a selection of Accompanying Persons Programme & Post-Congress Tours that we believe will be of interest to the ERSA 2011 congress participants.

Tours for Accompanying persons in the week of the Congress:

• Montjuic and Camp Nou Tour 30th August (Tuesday) 10:00-13:30

• Stories and Legends Of The Gothic Quarter 31st August (Wednesday) 09:30-12:15

• Gaudí Tour 1st September (Thursday) 09:30-13:30

• BCN Contemporary Architecture 2nd September (Friday) 09:30-13:00

Post-Congress Tours (for Delegates and Accompanying persons):

• Montjuic and Camp Nou Tour 3rd September (Saturday) 10:00-13:30

• Montserrat and Sitges 3rd September (Saturday) 09:00-18:00

• Girona and Figueres 3rd September (Saturday) 09:00-18:00

To subscribe to these tours, please click Accompanying Persons Programme & Post-Congress Tours