The University of Twente wants to make sure that our campus stays fit for the future, in terms of both the quantity and quality of its facilities. The university is growing faster than expected in 2016 and already accommodates 11,500 students. In terms of staff the UT has grown from 2,600 to 2,852 positions in the past period. In terms of employees, the number is expected to increase even more in the coming period. Finally, the new UT strategy 'Shaping2030' is an important reason for the next long-term strategic housing plan (LTSH). Over the past few months, the organisation has contributed a great deal of thought to the wishes, needs and ambitions in the field of real estate for the UT. The LTSH 2030 is a new plan for the next ten years.
The LTSH is the framework for decisions involving large-scale investment projects and it specifies which real estate initiatives should be carried out over time. The plan provides both clear frameworks, direction and flexibility for the coming years in order to continue to sharpen our focus on the wishes of our staff and students.
In the new LTSH, a number of the basic assumptions from the previous LTSH have been updated to reflect the new realities of the university, and some additional principles have also been set out. It also includes an overview of the real estate projects to be undertaken between now and 2030. The real estate projects involve expansion of the existing real estate portfolio, renovation of existing buildings, maintenance, infrastructure, sports facilities and general accommodation requirements.
These real estate projects involve the expansion of the existing stock of buildings, the renovation of existing buildings, maintenance, infrastructure, sports facilities and general accommodation issues. However, not all the plans included in the LTSH will necessarily be realised. There are three different priority categories, based on technical urgency and relevance to the primary process, among other things.
Framework for issues relating to buildings and real estate
The prioritisation of the plans and the way in which buildings can be used flexibly are based on both growth and contraction scenarios.
Some important parameters that apply to all real estate projects include the following:
- Promoting quality and flexibility
- Promoting sustainability
- The digital transformation
- Achieving the optimum use of space and the optimum utilisation of the current real estate portfolio
- Consistency with visual quality plan
- Working within financial frameworks and parameters
Current projects, renovation and other projects
Projects that have been started in the recent period and are nearing completion or have just started have of course the first priority within the new LTSH. This concerns the completion of the new Hogekamp Square, which is expected to be completed in April this year.
The renovation of the ‘Drienerburght’ is in preparation, for ATLAS, University College Twente to be able to start the new academic year here after the summer.
The design phase for the renovation of the ‘Langezijds’ for housing ITC is in full swing. The occupation of the building by ITC is scheduled mid 2021.
Other existing projects include the realisation of a homebase in Carré for TNW, renovation of the ‘Boerderij’ building, a team hall for the student teams and the water sports complex.
Address future housing needs
The LTSH includes an extensive analysis of future housing needs on the campus. This need will increase in the coming years due to the growth of students and the number of employees. In this respect, the need for space varies from educational space (e.g. study rooms, assessment rooms, lecture working areas) to office spaces, research spaces (lab functions, work place, robotics centre), housing units and other facilities, e.g. in the field of sports, culture and meeting areas. Two strategies have been included in the new LTSH to deal with this increasing need for space. The following has been included in the preferred strategy: the ‘Langezijds’, which will be renovated for ITC, still has space available on the end side near the entrance of the campus, where the Robotics Centre will be realised. This strategy also gives preference to the expansion of a work place area for faculty ET, the strengthening of the ‘Paviljoen Zone’ through the realisation of a Contact Centre for students and an alternative accommodation for the Campus and Facility Management department in de Boerderij Building.
Renovation and other projects
Based on technical urgency, location on the campus and relevance to education and research, ten buildings on the campus will be renovated and made more sustainable on a large scale, over the next ten years. These includes the lecture rooms in the Spiegel Building, the Vrijhof Building, the Vleugel Building (technical) and the Citadel Building, the Zilverling Building, the Horst Tower, the Horstring, the Cubicus Building, the Sports Centre (technical) and the pumping station.
Finally, the LTSH includes a number of projects that are not directly related to education and research, but are relevant to the appearance and functionality of the campus. For example, facilities in the field of sports, culture and meeting areas. Included are projects such as a water lab on Hogekamp square for water purification and a research facility for the Faculty of Science and Technology. The realization of an Energy Transition Hub, the expansion of the DesignLab, updated indoor sports facilities, improved traffic safety on campus, bicycle parking facilities on the O&O square and infrastructure for the tiny houses.
Further information: you can find more information at: www.utwente.nl/ltsh
