Fachhochschule Dortmund and RWTH Aachen University are now also part of the new master plan for university construction. Agreements to this effect were signed by the state, Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb (BLB) NRW and the two universities on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Ministry of Science. The new master plan was previously tested at three university locations.
"With the new master plan, we have set a milestone for university construction in North Rhine-Westphalia," explains Science Minister Ina Brandes. "A large part of our university infrastructure is now more than 50 years old. In order to clear the investment backlog, we need money and new procedures for more speed in planning, approval and construction. The trial phase has shown that we can realize more construction projects in less time and with less money with the New Master Planning. We will use the experience gained at the universities in Bielefeld, Duisburg-Essen and Paderborn to accelerate the modernization of infrastructure at RWTH Aachen University and Fachhochschule Dortmund as well."
Fachhochschule Dortmund presented the final version of the university location development plan (HSEP) in spring. The structural development requirements listed there were critically examined by the Ministry of Culture and Science. In consultation with the Fachhochschule Dortmund and the Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW, it was determined whether the development requirements could be implemented at the existing locations in Dortmund city centre (Sonnenstraße and Max-Ophüls-Platz), which are in great need of renovation and modernization, or at the location on Emil-Figge-Straße in the direct vicinity of the TU Dortmund campus. The clear conclusion was that neither the technical nor the spatial requirements of Fachhochschule Dortmund could be met by renovating and modernizing the existing building. The Emil-Figge-Straße location, on the other hand, offers the necessary development opportunities and, with its proximity to TU Dortmund University and the Technology Center, simplifies the best conditions for close cooperation in research, teaching and transfer. For this reason, the merger and consolidation of Fachhochschule Dortmund at this location is now being pursued.
"With regard to our distribution and accommodation problems, we are pursuing the strategic goal of a one-location solution," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel, Rector of Fachhochschule Dortmund. "Creating a modern and attractive learning infrastructure, promoting interdisciplinary networking over short distances, addressing cross-cutting issues relating to current social challenges. This also creates synergies in terms of space requirements and is therefore sustainable and conserves resources. As a location, the campus, with its proximity to TU Dortmund University and the Technology Center, offers the best conditions for joint exchange in research and knowledge transfer."
"It will be a great benefit for the further development of Dortmund as a university location if the Fachhochschule Dortmund and TU Dortmund University are brought together on one campus in order to leverage the potential of close cooperation. Joint projects in research, teaching and transfer could also be developed," says Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer, Rector of TU Dortmund University.