TERCUD’s core activities are carried out by the Main Research Groups “Geography of Identities and Development”, “Sociourbanism and Spatial Planning” and “Sociomuseology”, which are composed of the teaching staff members of the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism, Geography and Arts. The complementary activities, as well as those with strategically important potentials for the attainment of TERCUD’s objectives, are carried out by the Associated Research Groups “Natural and Technological Hazards” and "Architecture Lab", which are open to the teaching staff members of other ULHT Faculties and Schools.
TERCUD’s prime activities are design and implementation of national and international research projects, and production of publications, such as Cadernos de Sociomuseologia, Malha Urbana, e Arquitectura e Educação, evaluated by and integrated in international networks of scientific journals LATINDEX and BiblioSHS, books and other materials.
Furthermore, TERCUD organizes scientific conferences, such as GeoForum and PECSRL 2008, and other events, promotes integration of students through “Young Researcher Program” and organization of national and international fieldtrips in Geography and Urbanism, participates in cooperation schemes and partnerships with organizations, networks, and firms, as well as provides expertise and other services to the civil society.
The Main Research Group “Geography of Identities and Development” focuses on: fundamental, policy-oriented and applied research on territorial identity as a development recourse; development and application of models and instruments for participatory planning of sustainable development in different natural and social contexts; networking and partnerships in international research projects and publications in Geography and Development Studies.
The Main Research Group “Sociourbanism and Spatial Planning” carries out: research projects about urbanistic reality in Portugal and other countries, regarding both practice and university education in urbanism; dissemination and technical assistance in Portugal, in collaboration with IBAM – Brazilian Institute of Municipal Administration, to the Program Habitat – Best Practices; networking and partnerships in international research, publication and university education projects in Urban Development Studies.
The Main Research Group “Sociomuseology” is devoted to: research projects and provision of services to public and private entities in the area of integration of museological planning with local/regional development; editing of Cadernos de Sociomuseologia, a unique publication in Portuguese dedicated to museology, produced in close cooperation with Brazilian researchers; partnership with the MINOM - Movimento Internacional para uma Nova Museologia, integrated in ICOM – the International Council of Museums, UNESCO.
The Associated Research Group “Natural and Technological Hazards” is devoted to spatial analyses and identification of elements at risk (population, infrastructures, natural and cultural heritage), to application of Geographical Information Technologies in preventing and managing emergencies, and to human resources development in the area of Civil Protection for Local and Regional Development.
The Associated Research Group Architecture Lab (LABART) is devoted to the conceptualization, theoretical dissemination and architectural implementation of research, emphasising the application of ancillary knowledge of architecture in project design, and research on the specific disciplinary aspects of architecture.