Photo: Broekbakema Architects. WUR is expanding and it is getting crowded on campus. A survey is now planned of the occupancy rates in the buildings to get a picture of where the problems are.
The survey will take place in the last week of September and first week of October. ‘Observers’ will walk the same route every hour for a week and note down per workstation whether and how it is being used.
Student numbers have been growing steadily for years, explains Peter Booman, director of Facilities & Services. That is increasingly resulting in a lack of thesis places. ‘Add to that growth in Wageningen Research for the past two years,’ says Booman.
A short-term solution is being found by installing emergency units. In the longer run, the construction of a third teaching building behind Zodiac will create more space. ‘But it will still be congested,’ says Booman. To get a good picture of the situation, Facilities & Services is currently assessing the supply and demand of space now and in 2025. When the data on occupancy rates is added, this will form the basis for a new strategic accommodation plan.
