Rector on the plans for Katrinebjerg: We are building the foundation for a more vibrant study and research environment
A refurbishment of the current buildings in the “IT Corner” and “IT Park” in Katrinebjerg and a completely new 8,850 m2 building next door. These are parts of a new plan for AU’s activities in Katrinebjerg, which will support the university’s IT and engineering programmes. At the same time, students and employees in the area will be able to enjoy better facilities for collaboration and synergy between degree programmes.
Several changes will take place in Katrinebjerg over the next five years. A new building of 8,850 m2 will be constructed for Arts, Natural Sciences and Technical Sciences, while existing buildings in the so-called “IT Corner” and “IT Park” will be renovated. In addition, a section of the courtyard area by the IT Corner and the IT Park will be covered.
An environment that supports AU’s IT and engineering activities
Katrinebjerg is already the centre of a considerable part of the university’s activities within digitisation, digital design, information studies and engineering. The new environment will provide a better physical coherence and good facilities for activities between programmes. This is a part of the underlying idea for Katrinebjerg, explains rector at Aarhus University, Brian Bech Nielsen, who is pleased that the vision for the area is now materialising.
“With the new plan, we have passed an important milestone in our endeavour to develop and strengthen Aarhus University’s IT and engineering activities, and we are paving the way for more collaboration and synergy between the degree programmes in the area. Our next big milestone will be reached when students and employees from the Civil and Architectural Engineering programme, currently based at Navitas, move into a new building of approx. 14,500 m2 in Katrinebjerg and join the existing engineering activities in the area. I believe that this will form the basis of a more vibrant and intense study and research environment.”
Most employees at the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering are already in the process of moving to Katrinebjerg as part of the plan to bring together AU’s engineering programmes. They will move into the so-called ‘Ørkenfort’ building at the corner of Katrinebjergvej and Finlandsgade.
A common identity – a vibrant campus area
The new area at Katrinebjerg will include activities from three faculties: Arts, Natural Sciences and Technical Sciences. These faculties will later be involved in a process to establish their precise future locations.
In addition to the university’s own activities in Katrinebjerg, the City of Aarhus has also developed two district plans (district plan 1052, district plan 1117) for the area, one of which includes a design manual that works in conjunction with AU’s development in the area. These plans include a main campus street, more student and family housing, commercial properties and several green recreational areas. Employees and students will also get a new cafeteria in place of the current canteen in INCUBA.
The plans have been developed in collaboration with Forskningsfondens Ejendomsselskab A/S, which owns the buildings in Katrinebjerg and rents them out to AU.
FACTS: AU’s plans in Katrinebjerg
- The new plan for AU’s activities in Katrinebjerg is expected to be realised within five years and includes 8,850 m2 for a new building and the ongoing renovation and optimisation of the approx. 64,000 m2 AU already has at its disposal.
- The plan involves activities from the faculties Arts, Natural Sciences and Technical Sciences, and it is based on an academic vision for the area that has been developed by all three faculties.
- AU currently has the following degree programmes located in Katrinebjerg: Computer Science, Digital Design and Information Studies, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Media and Journalism Studies.
- Furthermore, most employees at the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering are right now in the process of moving to Katrinebjerg as part of the plan to bring together AU’s engineering programmes. They will move into the so-called ‘Ørkenfort’ building at the corner of Katrinebjergvej and Finlandsgade.
- Also, in the long term, students and employees from Civil and Architectural Engineering, currently based at Navitas, will move into a new building in Katrinebjerg.
- Technical Sciences will expand its activities in Katrinebjerg by approx. 2,000 extra square metres, which will be used for teaching and study spaces.
Further information
- Read more about AU’s campus development at au.dk/nycampus.
- If you have any questions about the development of AU’s campus, please contact Programme Director Charlotte Lyngholm Bom at cl@au.dk