On 30 October 2023, the Executive Board adopted the annual plan for the long-term housing strategy (LTSH) as a intended decision for the development of housing and property in 2024. This plan is now before the University Council and the Supervisory Board and will be discussed with them in the coming month for commitment and approval, respectively.
Current developments require clear-cut choices
The 2024 Annual plan for long-term housing takes into account the current developments that we face as a university. These developments include increasing construction costs, the effects of inflation that we have to deal with as an organisation and various other costs that have increased sharply. And these additional costs are not fully covered by the Central government’s financial contributions.
Furthermore, student numbers are currently declining and there is a nationwide development underway in the field of internationalisation that is likely to have a further negative impact on the intake of students over the coming years. This means that we have had to make clear-cut choices for the 2024 budget and thus we also have to make careful considerations regarding which investments in campus facilities can be made in the coming year.
Need for continued investment in our campus buildings and infrastructure
The 2023-2032 LTSH included various scenarios on what would be needed in terms of campus facilities, ranging from a scenario where there is strong growth to a scenario in which there is limited growth. The latter scenario allowed for a total of 13,000 students. However, it is now likely that our total student body is going to decrease rather than grow over the coming years and that will clearly have a direct impact on both staff numbers and the square metres needed on campus. During the development of the LTSH, we made provisions for a peak scenario with student numbers in excess of 13,000, but now we will have to consider numbers below that, at least for the coming years.
Despite this decline in student numbers, the ambition to invest in our campus and in the existing teaching and research facilities, current infrastructure and in sustainability does remain. With all its facilities, our campus sets UT apart from other universities and is of great value for the future: “Our campus is a dynamic hotspot, where we meet, brainstorm and try to solve societal issues.” (Shaping 2030)
In addition to the educational and research facilities, we also have various sports and cultural facilities. This is what makes our campus so striking. To keep the facilities up to date and safe for use, and to continue to comply with established legislation and regulations, essential long-term investments are needed, also in terms of sustainability.
Which projects will continue in 2024 and which ones will be postponed
It is indisputable, however, that we will have to make choices for the coming years as to whether or not to start new housing projects. In doing so, we focus on the necessary renovation of existing buildings and on the transformation of offices into lab, meeting and project spaces. Expansion projects will be put on hold for the time being.
Specifically, this means that the following projects have not been included in the 2024 annual plan submitted to the Supervisory Board and University Council:
- De Es, including parking facilities De Es and Square De Es
- The NOC NSF sports hall at the Sports Centre
- The Body & Mind Centre in the Paviljoen zone
Included in this submitted annual plan are new build projects that are already underway, a number of planned necessary renovations, renovations that are being prepared, renovations that will start after 2024 and the transformation of existing rooms into Labs:
- New build projects that are already underway:
- the Cube (ET workshop)
- Kop Langezijds
- Two additional Log Cabins
- Renovation of the Bosch Stall/Boerderij
- Renovation of the Pavilion
- Planned renovations in 2024:
- Cubicus building: preparations are underway, implementation will start in 2024
- Renovations being prepared from 2024:
- Horst complex: the preparations are already underway and will be continued in 2024, implementation of renovations will start from 2026
- Looking ahead to future renovations:
- Preparations for the lecture halls in the Spiegel building will start from 2025, implementation in 2026
- The renovation of the Zilverling building will also go ahead and is expected to start after 2028
- Other projects already underway that will be continued:
- Upgrade indoor sports and culture accommodations, including swimming pool and dance hall
- Renovating Watersport complex
- Projects related to infrastructure, such as the O&O square and bicycle parking, Kop Langezijds, campus road safety, cooling building and the modification of Oude Drienerloweg
- Temporary housing to accommodate staff during renovation of the Cubicus building and the Horst complex
- Transformation of existing office and other spaces for Labs, particularly for the Robotics Centre and other Labs.
More efficient use of current square metres and workplace booking system
The 2023-2032 LTSH already includes a guideline to achieve more efficient use of current square metres on campus. The goal is to achieve a flex factor (number of workplaces per FTE) of <1. There are now 5,000 workplaces available for approximately 3,500 FTE, which is equivalent to a flex factor of approximately 1.4. An occupancy rate study carried out for the Horst, Ravelijn and Cubicus buildings showed that only 30% of the office workplaces are actually frequently used. Lab occupancy rates will also be looked at in the coming period. Given the increasing need for Lab space, we see potential to transform existing offices into lab-, meeting and project spaces.
Related to this need, we are working on a workplace booking system that will help with more efficient use of current spaces in our buildings. In the future, this system could also be used for some of our labs and teaching facilities.
Expansion of student accommodation
The housing market for students in Enschede is currently well balanced. There are enough affordable options. We are committed to ensuring that this remains so in the coming years, which is why we work together with our partners to increase and improve housing on campus and in the city. De Veste and Domijn housing corporations and the municipality of Enschede are therefore continually working to expand student accommodation. Next year, for instance, construction work will also take place along the Boulevard on campus, where 117 residential units for students will be built. Approximately 200 residential units will also be built for students on Hengelosestraat in 2024-2025. The plan is to eventually also create 350 living spaces for students at the Verre Veld (Plot next to De Vlinder childcare centre) and work is underway to develop a ‘Young City Concept’ on the site of what is now the ITC Hotel in the city of Enschede.
More information
Additional information on long-term strategic housing can be found on www.utwente.nl/ltsh.
