University Expansion as a Strategy for Territorial Development: Lessons Learned from the Network of University Campuses at the Universidad de Alicante

Abstract

In addition to education and research, the functions of a university include that of
conveying the knowledge generated and disseminating culture, but also those of actively
participating and being involved in those matters that concern society in the setting where it is
located. That is the basis for the Universidad de Alicante’s proposal to create a network of university
campuses that, spread out all over the province, aims to bring the university to society in the most
appropriate way according to each setting, so as to promote fluid, two-way communications that
can yield mutual benefits. In the pages that follow, we will present the evolution of this university
campus project, starting from the reasons that led to its creation, rooted in social responsibility, to
the current strategy to expand and reinforce the brand. We do so from a diverse perspective that
analyzes the guidelines for territorial distribution, the functions provided and the various effects
caused by the presence of the campuses. There are currently eleven campuses comprising the
network and serving the entire province, with other municipalities being added recently through
university extension programs. Each one was designed and created differently, and occupies
different locations, eg: refurbished historical buildings or municipal spaces, or even hosting their
activities in traveling campuses. They have also taken on different roles and achieved unequal
prominence in the territory for various reasons we will discuss. In any event, in an effort to fulfill
the goal of the university extension, these university campuses exhibit a rich variety of cases that
can be used to typify different “learning spaces” from unique perspectives within the territory of
influence of the Universidad de Alicante.