Hamburg's universities receive EUR 60 million for modernizations

15 January 2021

Senate draws up stimulus package for university revamp – management based on tenant-landlord model

The City of Hamburg has added EUR 60 million in funds for renovating university buildings to the Hamburg Economic Stabilization Program (HWSP) launched in the wake of the corona crisis. The funds will be made available over the next two years as part of the senate's 20-year redevelopment strategy. The package of measures aims to optimize spaces for research and teaching through sustainable property management, according to the Ministry of Science, Research, Equality and Districts.

Stimulus package to accelerate renovations

Commenting on the latest measures, Katharina Fegebank, Senator for Science, Research and Equality, said the package sets the "long-term course for securing Hamburg's universities". "The universities will be able to exploit their innovation potential better in future. Clearly, science and research are achieving incredible things, especially in the wake of the pandemic. It is up to us to create a suitable, modern environment for this important work," Fegebank added.

The university buildings will become sustainable, tenant-landlord models and will be managed by the urban Gebäudemanagement Hamburg and Sprinkenhof companies. The additional HWSP funds will go towards this model. The tenant-landlord model provides for a clear separation of users and the city's own building management. The "successful experiences with school construction will be transferred to academia" and based on the positive experiences in culture and justice," said Andreas Dressel, Senator for Finance.

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Sources and further information

www.hamburg.de

HWSP

The senate is using HWSP to help businesses exit the corona crisis and to give them a long-term perspective. Around EUR 900 million will be channelled into various short-term, urban measures this year and in 2022. Some of these measures are being brought forward. The programme focuses in particular on climate protection, mobility transition, digitalisation, research, education and innovation.