NTNU's existing buildings are shown in beige. Possible sizes and location of new buildings shown with rust red markings. Illustration from feasibility studies 2018. Eggen architects.

Written by: Hanna Maria Jones

NTNU wants to build new university buildings along the Høgskolebakken from Studentersamfundet, some on Gløshaugplatået, in Hesthagen and in smaller parts of Vestskråningen. Plus in the southern areas between Realfagbygget and Strindveien.

This is described in a planning program for a unified campus, which was sent to the municipality of Trondheim on 25 January for political treatment.

Planning programme and attachments (in Norwegian)

Priorities

NTNU believes there are great opportunities to gain for the university, the city and the region by further developing the prioritized areas suggested in the planning program. However, current municipal plans are challenged in some areas, when it comes to cultural heritage sites and green areas. This regards Grensen and Fengselstomta, as well as Hesthagen and Vestskråningen.

NTNU wants to have a multidisciplinary center for art, architecture, music and design (KAM + D) in the area along Høgskolebakken (Grensen and Fengselstomta). The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) have stated that they want to relocate to the proximity of these academic communities and close by Studentersamfundet. This can provide an innovative cluster that utilizes the collaboration between NTNU, pexternal partneers in the public and private sector and student volunteer organizations. And at the same time become the most important portal to the university from the city.

It is important to develop Hesthagen and Vestskråningen in order to connect Gløshaugplatået to the city. The area constitutes a very important connection between NTNU's academic environments in economics and management and in technology. We need to get better at commercialization of technology, and if the region is to succeed, it requires good cooperation between the economic, management and technological communities.

The development of Hesthagen and Vestskråningen in also important for connecting campus to Teknobyen west of Elgesetergate. Academic activities here will make a larger area attractive for businesses and possible future employers who want to stay close to NTNU.

In order to ensure the desired impact of a unified campus within the next ten years, it will be crucial to have enough buildings for professional activities. Then we can develop vibrant and active areas connecting people. Listed areas and green area regulations from the municipality are challenged in some areas. NTNU nevertheless believes that the benefit for the city and the university are greater than the negative consequences.

At the end of April, the City Council will decide on which areas are open for further consideration as future building sites.

The plan of principles

Together with the planning program, NTNU presents nine principal steps for physical planning necessary for campus to function according to the intention:

• The main building is strengthened as the campus center and as NTNU`s most important symbol to the outside world.
• The city and campus are linked together via portals and clear connections.
• Quarterly structure is established and the urban area is upgraded to provide urban qualities.
• The green areas will have more activity and bind the city and campus together.
• Vivid campus areas bind the sub-areas together.
• Activity is concentrated around traffic hubs.
• Overlapping different functions and activities.
• Green mobility is the premise for transport solutions.
• Campus`s compactness is used to achieve energy and environmental goals.

See the plan of principles (in Norwegian)

The plan of principles shows how NTNU`s campus in Trondheim will be interconnected. Both internally and with the city, and at an overall and long-term level. The dark pink color over the main building marks the area which, both functionally and symbolically, will be the main hub and center of campus. The pink areas show existing and future campus sub-areas. The green arrows indicate the most important accesses to the campus. The red lines show the most important connections to and on campus, as well as the connection between the different sub-areas.