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Buildings in the University City to get sustainability certification

Existing buildings in the University City are to be certified based on a system that measures sustainability. This was decided at the recent meeting of the Campus 2.0 steering group.

2020.01.28 | Signe Opstrup

Photo: Claus Sjödin

Work to make Aarhus University even more sustainable is in full swing. Recently, the Campus 2.0 steering committee decided that several buildings in the University City are to be certified under the voluntary Danish DGNB certification scheme, which assesses buildings according to different sustainability criteria.

University Director Arnold Boon is pleased with the university's stronger focus on future-proof, sustainable building and construction.

"The upcoming DGNB certifications will help give us good, sustainable buildings and urban areas to benefit everyone working at the university. The certifications are an important step for Aarhus University. They are a natural extension of our general efforts to become an even more sustainable university and to support the goals in our upcoming climate strategy." 

Which buildings are to be certified? 

When a building is DGNB-certified, it is measured and assessed on its environmental (1), economic (2) and social sustainability (3) attributes, as well as on engineering (4) and process (5). It is crucial that building projects are future-proofed and that they take into account people, the environment and the bottom line. There must be a good indoor climate and well-chosen materials.

With FEAS as the main contractor, AU is working to have the following buildings/urban areas certified:

  • All of the University City as an urban area
  • The future Aarhus BSS building complex in the University City, and
  • The conversion of existing building 1170 in the University Park. 

Silver, gold or platinum?

It is possible to obtain a silver, gold or platinum certification for buildings, depending on how well the building performs within the five criteria. AU is aiming for gold certification of the University City as an urban area. The level of ambition for the BSS building complex will be determined in connection with the tendering procedure for the project, as will the level for building 1170.

About DGNB 

Since 2010, the Danish DGNB certification scheme has been based on criteria developed by the German organisation Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen, which has also given its name to the scheme.

The objective of DGNB is to link the global sustainability agenda with local societal conditions, thus making work on sustainability more meaningful and tangible.

Further information

Administrative, Administration (Academic), All groups, All AU units, Aarhus University