News in detail

Researchers at the University of Konstanz continue to be very successful. Their success is reflected by new institutions funded by the German Excellence Initiative, Collaborative Research Centres or ERC Grants at the university. As a result, the need for additional space has continued to grow. The process has now begun for changing the land development plan for the University of Konstanz. This joint effort between the University of Konstanz, the city of Konstanz and the Konstanz office of Vermögen + Bau Baden-Württemberg will allow the university to be able to respond more quickly and flexibly to new requirements. It is projected that by 2060 an additional 55,000 square metres will be needed in addition to the existing 240,000 square metres of university space (as of 2011).

Until now, the statutory land use plan from 1969 has governed the University of Konstanz’s development plans. The available space for construction defined by the regulations has now almost completely been developed. In April of 2011, the Konstanz city council took the decision to change the development plan for the university in order to provide the basis for additional development. 

The grass and woodlands surrounding the university, including the Lorettowald, the Hockgraben and the Universitätswald are of great ecological value. This also means that decisions about the available space for further development will have to be made with exceptional care. Additionally, the entire building complex as well as the open and green spaces at the university campus are listed as a cultural monument.

An environmental impact analysis was commissioned by Vermögen + Bau and the city of Konstanz. It revealed ecologically acceptable spaces for development in accordance with different regulations regarding nature, wildlife conservation and forestry.  Existing flora and fauna were analysed in 23 hectares of space (230,000 square metres). It included, for example, the observation of different biotopes and forest habitats as well as the identification of especially protected plants, birds, bats, amphibians and moths. The respective areas were rated and classified based on their need for protection.

In this manner, possible space for future university construction was identified in collaboration with the environmental protection authorities at the Regierungspräsidium Freiburg (regional council in Freiburg), the  district administration of Konstanz and the city of Konstanz. The next step will be to draft an urban development plan or “master plan”. It will form the basis for extending the land development plan as well as the necessary compensation measures. It is the responsibility of the city of Konstanz to convert the “master plan” in a legally-binding development plan.

The task of creating the “master plan” was tendered across Europe. A qualified planning office was commissioned in February of 2017 to carry out this task. Currently, the parties involved are identifying and defining the planning requirements. Their shared stated objectives will lay the foundation for the “master plan”, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017. Starting in autumn of 2017, the corresponding land development planning process is will be continued.