Sustainability Report 2023
Building & Campus design
From 1971 to 1976, the construction of Bielefeld University's main university building (UHG) was one of the largest construction sites in Germany and today, with a gross floor area of 314,000 m², it is one of the largest contiguous buildings in Europe. The university campus covers a total building area of 187,086 m², spread over 13 buildings, three of which are currently under (re)construction and three others are in the planning stage. This area will continue to grow with the arrival of the Medical School OWL. The campus is also continuing to develop with the refurbishment of the UHG, which has been underway for several decades. Building projects of these dimensions require and tie up numerous resources, such as building materials and energy. The University would therefore like to take advantage of this opportunity and get involved at a political level to ensure that the University's building fabric is refurbished to ambitious energy standards. The following section provides an overview of how the university can influence the design of construction measures and the sustainability aspects that are taken into account.
- Refurbishment of the main university building (UHG)
The modernisation of the UHG is being carried out as a core refurbishment, i.e. as a dismantling to the shell, in six construction phases. The client is the Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb (BLB NRW), which is largely responsible for the design of the modernisation in coordination with the university. Work on the first construction phase (start date 2014) should be completed by March 2024. Planning for the other construction phases is already underway. In order to maintain teaching and research operations as well as administrative activities at the university, new buildings have become necessary, the construction of which is the responsibility of Bielefeld University. Compared to these new buildings and the new buildings of the campus extension for the Faculty of Medicine, the University's ability to influence the refurbishment of the UHG is very limited. Nevertheless, the University is in regular dialogue with the SU in order to represent the University's interests, particularly with regard to sustainability efforts.
- New buildings location concept Campus South
The Campus South location concept was developed in 2019 with the support of the architecture and planning firm AS+P for the integration of the Faculty of Medicine into Campus Bielefeld. The basis for this is the decision to realise the Faculty of Medicine in a multi-building solution consisting of new buildings and conversions on Morgenbreede/Konsequenz. As things stand at present, a total of eight construction measures will be realised in order to provide the necessary teaching, research and office space. Bielefeld University is the client for these measures. The buildings will be handed over to the BLB in the future, with the university as the tenant.
- About the Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW (BLB NRW)
BLB NRW is the owner and landlord of almost all properties by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia - including university buildings. With around 4,100 buildings, a rental area of around 10.3 million square metres and annual rental income of around 1.5 billion euros, BLB NRW is responsible for one of the largest property portfolios in Europe. Its services include the areas of development and planning, construction and modernisation as well as the management and sale of technically and architecturally highly complex properties. In addition, BLB NRW plans and realises the civil and military construction projects of the Federal Republic of Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the federal construction programme. BLB NRW employs more than 2,700 people at eight locations. Further information can be found at www.blb.nrw.de.
- Campus South location concept
© AS+P The location concept for campus south integrates the Faculty of Medicine into the existing campus, south of the main university building. A current ring (loop) around the main university building will connect various areas and will be largely car-free in the future.
Places to linger are to be created with attractive green spaces, squares and furniture. The buildings will be integrated into the slope - the topographical features will be taken into account and incorporated into the concept. Two large aisles in the east and west of the area will provide the necessary fresh air supply. When planning the storey heights for the buildings, care was taken to ensure that the trees on the edge of the forest remain visible from the main university building. Further information
- Good to know: Energy standards
BNB Silver The Assessment System for Sustainable Building for Federal Buildings of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development aims to describe and assess the quality of the sustainability of buildings and structures in all their complexity. In the course of certification, the ecological, economic, socio-cultural and functional dimensions as well as the technical quality, the quality of the planning and execution process and the site characteristics are taken into account. Depending on the degree of fulfilment achieved, the building receives a BNB certificate in gold (> 80 %), silver (> 65 %) or bronze (> 50 %). Building Energy Act (GEG) The Building Energy Act contains requirements for the energy quality of buildings, the creation and use of energy performance certificates and the use of renewable energies in buildings. The aim of the GEG is to minimise the use of energy in buildings, including the increasing use of renewable energies to generate heating, cooling and electricity for building operation. The GEG brings together the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV), the Energy Saving Act (EnEG) and the Renewable Energies Heat Act (EEWärmeG) in order to standardise energy-saving legislation for buildings. Efficiency building 40 (EGB 40 - also known as: KFW 40, EH 40, BEG 40, EG 40)
EGB 40 refers to buildings that fulfil a particularly energy-saving construction and refurbishment standard. These buildings require only 40 % of the primary energy demand compared to the reference building and have comprehensive thermal insulation of the building envelope. The reference building is a "virtual auxiliary building" and has the same geometry, floor space and orientation as the building "in progress". However, the building envelope of the reference building - external walls, windows, doors, ceilings, roof - and its system technology are equipped as standard, as prescribed by the GEG for residential buildings. Passive house The passive house is a low-energy house. It is highly insulated and allows very little heat to escape. It passively utilises existing heat sources such as solar radiation, waste heat from residents and electrical appliances and heat recovery from the ventilation system. The requirements for a passive house are described by the passive house energy standard. Although several limit values must be achieved at the same time, the limit value "heating requirement ≤ 15 kWh/(m²a)" is usually emphasised.
Certification system of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB)
Like the Assessment System for Sustainable Building (BNB), the certification system of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) takes a holistic approach to sustainability by taking into account the ecological quality (22.5 %), economic quality (22.5 %), socio-cultural quality (22.5 %), technical quality (15 %), process quality (12.5 %) and site characteristics (5 %) of the building project. In addition to the percentage weighting of the main criteria groups, the award logic of the DGNB also differs. In terms of the overall degree of fulfilment, the DGNB differentiates between platinum (≥ 80 %), gold (≥ 65 %), silver (≥ 50 %) and bronze (≥ 35 %). DGNB certification is applicable to numerous building categories, including multi-storey car parks.
Sustainability with a role model function
Lecture theatre building Y
The wooden supporting structure made of 200 m³ of timber from sustainable forestry means that only the core of the building is made of concrete. To protect it from the weather, the timber construction was clad with zinc sheeting and metal window strips. The building is mainly heated and cooled by a heat pump. This is mainly supplied by a photovoltaic system (approx. 25 kWp) on the roof and a condensing boiler for peak loads.
Photovoltaics & greening
Photovoltaic systems will be installed on the roofs of the new buildings. Building R2 also already has a facade photovoltaic system. The roofs of the new buildings R5 and R7 as well as the façade of building R5 and the planned multi-storey car park on Universitätsstraße will be greened. The roof of building R2 has already been greened.
According to the NRW Climate Protection Act of 8 July 2020, the state has set itself the goal of achieving a climate-neutral state administration by 2030. As a university sponsored by the state, Bielefeld University is not obliged to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, but must fulfil a role model function in climate protection, in particular to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In its role as the developer of the new buildings on Campus south, Bielefeld University is required to comply with the specified energy standards in the building sector as part of the NRW Climate Protection Act and the associated role model function. In its sustainability mission statement, the university has committed to constructing new and replacement buildings in a way that conserves resources as much as possible with the means at its disposal. All new buildings under construction and in planning at Bielefeld University on Campus south fulfil at least the "Efficiency Building Bund 40 (EGB 40)" energy standard. This means that the new buildings under construction and in planning achieve an efficiency standard that goes well beyond the minimum requirements of the Building Energy Act (GEG) of 8 August 2020. At the same time, they are based on the requirements (optional for Bielefeld University) for the implementation of the climate-neutral state administration of North Rhine-Westphalia to comply with the energy standard EGB 40 for new buildings to be constructed. In some cases, the aim is even to achieve energy standards that go beyond EGB 40. For example, building R4 will be constructed as a passive house and building R7 as an EGB 40 in accordance with the EE (renewable energy) class, meaning that at least 55 % (from 1 January 2023 at least 65 %) of the energy required for heating and cooling will also be covered by renewable energies.
With the circular decree on the introduction of the Assessment System for Sustainable Building (BNB) of 5 October 2021, Bielefeld University is obliged to achieve an overall degree of fulfilment of at least 65 % of the sustainability criteria (silver standard) in the course of construction measures for which the requirements planning has not yet been completed. This applies to construction measures R4 and R8. In addition, an overall degree of fulfilment of at least 65 % (gold certification) according to the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) is targeted for the new multi-storey car park to be built on Wertherstrasse. The DGNB certification system will be used in this case, as it also covers the car park building category.
In order to generally improve the ecological quality of the new buildings to be erected, buildings R4 to R8 will be constructed predominantly fromCO2-reduced concrete. This means around 40 % lessCO2 by reducing the cement content compared to conventional concrete.
The obligation to provide information on the energy efficiency of the main university building and Building X is the responsibility of the Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW.
Campus design
With the construction of eight new buildings, the appearance and quality of the campus will change significantly with the realisation of the Faculty of Medicine. The buildings will be integrated into the landscape in order to minimise the impact on nature. Overall, the university has set itself the goal of designing the university's outdoor areas in an ecologically high-quality and climate-adapted manner with a utilisation and development plan, while at the same time improving the microclimate and the quality of stay on the grounds and in the buildings, as well as using rooms and outdoor areas efficiently in terms of time and space.
Biodiversity on campus
While everyone is now aware of the climate crisis, the biodiversity crisis is still struggling to attract more attention despite its equally serious scale. There are now a number of approaches on Campus Bielefeld University to strengthen insect and plant diversity.
Current biodiversity measures can be found in the sustainability portal.
- Lean meadows
In 2022, work began on creating rough pastures on the green areas next to the social field at the building X. They are among the most species-rich types of meadow. On a total of 7,500 m², the nutrient-poor soil allows plants with weak competition to spread, which would hardly stand a chance against fast-growing grasses on fat meadows with a high nitrogen content. They are only mown once a year.
- Perennials
- Flower strips
Eight flower strips with a total area of 650 m² are being created on the green areas between the consequence and upper boundary condition (UHG south side). Preparations for sowing began in March 2023 and smaller areas were also created on the north side (approx. 60 m²). Flower strips increase the diversity of habitats for numerous insects and, above all, offer pollinators a more diverse range than sterile lawns. From autumn 2023, a 100 m² spring onion meadow will also be created on the lower boundary condition. Additional early-flowering geophytes were planted last autumn. This will create a valuable habitat for insects.
- Robinia replacement
Also planned: the gradual replacement of the robinia trees on campus with other species from early spring. Robinias are considered invasive from a nature conservation perspective. Although their flowers are popular with bees, they enrich the soil with nitrogen, which hinders the development of species-rich dry grassland. There are also plans to extend the Kugelahornallee at the end of the sequence with additional trees. Further trees were already planted last autumn.
- Bird protection
In order to protect the bird population as part of the expansion of campus south and to avoid bird collisions, the university commissioned a species conservation report in advance. The birds affected by the construction work were provided with replacement roosts in the form of artificial nesting aids or cavities in tree trunks.
- Tree population
- Uni-Honey
Bielefeld University The university shop sells honey from the university's own honeybees.
- Fruit tree campaign
Bielefeld University Because a total of 28,000 m² of land had to be cleared in preparation for various construction measures for the Faculty of Medicine in October 2020, Bielefeld University paid the city of Bielefeld a compensation amount for the purpose of reforestation and also financed the production and maintenance costs on an open land biotope of around 6,000 m² in Heepen. A fruit tree campaign also enabled all university employees to receive an apple, plum or cherry tree for their own home free of charge. The response was so great that a total of around 650 half-trunk fruit trees for the garden and around 600 dwarf fruit trees for the balcony or patio were distributed.
Quality of stay
Bielefeld University's aim is for students and employees to experience Campus Bielefeld as a place worth living, studying and working in and to enjoy spending time there. With the aim of continuously improving the quality of life on campus, various structural and infrastructural measures have been implemented in recent years. Many of these also promote sustainability on campus, such as the installation of drinking water dispensers, the creation of a meadow orchard behind Building Q or the construction of additional bicycle racks, for example by repurposing former car parking spaces.
- Drinking water dispenser
- Orchard meadow
- Bicycle stand
Bielefeld University By reallocating car parking spaces, among other things, additional covered parking spaces for bicycles were created in multi-storey car park 3 and in the underground car park of building X. There are also new bicycle racks below the pedestrian crossing to the University tram stop, at the C/D tooth of the main university building and at the back of the gym.
More on this in the mobility section.
