Renovation of the Leuphana campus: Will the lime trees remain standing?

Renovation of the Leuphana campus: Will the lime trees remain standing?

What is currently happening on the Leuphana campus in Lüneburg? You could say: a whole lot! The campus is currently a construction site, where excavators and construction fences dominate the scene. But while the construction work is underway, a major issue is becoming apparent – ​​the future of the lime trees. Resident Sabine M. expresses her concerns that all the lime trees should be cut down. But the university press spokesman Dr. Markus Lemmens gives the all-clear: The linden trees should stay standing. The modernization and renovation will preserve an important piece of nature on the campus.

The measures currently in full swing include comprehensive work aimed at modernizing the campus while improving the quality of stay. This includes replacing the windows in the former barracks buildings from the 1930s and removing the concrete streets that were once used for tanks. An important goal here is to strive for a campus that is as car-free or car-poor as possible.

Planned projects for a sustainable future

The concept envisages many projects to create a contemporary teaching and learning environment. The planned projects include:

• Sanierung und Erweiterung der Mensa
• Sanierung der ehemaligen Ladenzeile (Gebäude 25)
• Sanierung des Hörsaal-Gebäudes 9
• Sanierung der Versorgungsleitungen
• Neubau einer Parkpalette zwischen Gebäude 14 und Scharnhorststraße
• Errichtung einer neuen Photovoltaikanlage
• Neubau eines Forschungsgewächshauses für die Fakultät Nachhaltigkeit zwischen Gebäude 12 und 14

The measures to improve the microclimate should not be neglected either. The university has set itself the goal of increasing biodiversity on campus. Some interesting initiatives such as the Leuphana Forest Garden and Biotope Garden not only offer students a natural habitat, but also promote biodiversity. The forest garden is an ecological experiment and covers 450 m², where students were able to independently develop a multi-layered ecosystem with edible plants. This tree garden will not only invite you to relax, but will also serve as an educational place.

Climate change and urban design

With regard to the challenges of climate change, urban design plays a crucial role. According to a report by Fraunhofer IBP, cities are particularly affected by urban heat island effects, which lead to an increase in temperatures. This is where Leuphana’s new plans come into play. By improving green spaces and creating fresh air corridors, the negative effects of heat could be noticeably mitigated.

With climate-friendly urban design and targeted measures, overheating in cities can also be reduced. The focus on natural elements, such as the new garden projects on campus, could make a valuable contribution to creating a more livable environment. The university is not only committed to teaching, but also to protecting our environment - this is a strong sign of a sustainable future.

We can't wait to see how the Leuphana Campus will develop in the next few years. One thing is certain: the combination of modern architecture and natural elements could be a model for many other universities and cities.

For detailed information on the modernization measures on the Leuphana campus, we recommend the report from State newspaper. Those interested should also take a look at the sustainable initiatives of the Leuphana University and find out about climate change-adapted urban design Fraunhofer IBP inform.