Campus West Aachen

From railway wasteland to knowledge district

The site on which Campus West is being built has an eventful history. For decades, the old freight yard was an important hub for goods and industry in the region. As a result of structural change, it lost its importance and large areas remained unused.

For city planners and RWTH, this was both a problem and an opportunity. Because Aachen only has limited space to expand research and innovation. RWTH was looking for areas that were close enough to the center to create synergies with existing institutions and at the same time large enough to establish new clusters.

This is how Campus West was born: an area of over 325,000 square meters, directly adjacent to Campus Mitte and Campus Melaten.

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Goals and visions: What makes Campus West special

Campus West is deliberately different from traditional university campuses. This is not just about auditoriums and laboratories, but about an urban district in which many functions intertwine.

Objectives at a glance:

• Development of innovative research clusters, for example in areas such as smart logistics, sustainable energy or digital production
• Creating space for start-ups, SMEs and international corporations that cooperate closely with science
• Designing a district that is publicly accessible, offers green spaces and also creates added value for residents
• Exemplary role in climate protection: Campus West should set standards with sustainable energy systems, smart building technologies and CO₂-neutral operation
  

This ambition not to shut off research but to think in the middle of the city is what makes Campus West so special. It is about a model for the science city of tomorrow.

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The master plan: A quarter in five clusters

Campus West is not being built all at once, but in several stages. A total of are planned five clusters, which complement each other thematically and spatially:

1. Smart Logistics
2. This is where solutions for digital supply chains, networked logistics systems and autonomous transport processes are to be created.
3. Construction Robotics
4. Research and test environments for automated construction, from 3D printing processes to robotics on construction sites.
5. Sustainable Energy
6. Technologies for CO₂-neutral energy generation and innovative storage solutions.
7. Photonics & Optics
8. Lighting technologies and optical systems are a field in which Aachen is already a European leader.
9. Urban Innovation
10. A cluster for sustainable urban development, mobility solutions and smart infrastructure.
    

This division is intended to ensure that the various disciplines benefit from each other but can also grow independently.

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Architecture and sustainability: A district of the future

The architecture of Campus West is based on a clear mission statement: sustainability, flexibility and a high quality of stay.

This is how the district is geared towards CO₂ neutrality right from the start:

• Our own refrigeration and heating network ensures that buildings can be heated and cooled in a climate-neutral way.
• Green roofs and facades improve the microclimate and store rainwater.
• photovoltaic systems provide renewable electricity.
• Green open spaces create spaces for meetings and relaxation.
  

Campus West is also setting new standards in terms of urban planning: Instead of foreclosed institute buildings, a mix of public spaces, restaurants, services and cycle paths is to be created.

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Judicial hurdles: Why the project was delayed

As ambitious as the plans are, getting there wasn't (and is) not easy. The Münster Higher Administrative Court has collected the development plan for Campus West several times.

The reasons for this:

• Environmental impact assessment errors
• Unclear regulations on species protection
• Shortcomings in citizen participation

These setbacks have delayed the start. Nevertheless, the city and RWTH are sticking to the project and are revising the plans to comply with the court's requirements.

Construction robotics example: Research is becoming a reality

A part of the campus is already further along: the so-called Reference building site for Construction Robotics. A test site is being built here, on which automated construction processes are tested under real conditions, a project that is unique in Europe.

The building site is operated in cooperation with companies from the region. The aim is to actively drive change in the construction industry and develop solutions that will set international standards in the future.

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Significance for the economy and labor market

Campus West is also a major economic project. Forecasts assume that several thousand jobs will be created over the next 15 to 20 years, not only in research and development, but also in catering, administration and service.

Many companies that are already based on Campus Melaten want to expand. At the same time, the district should offer young start-ups space, for example in co-working spaces and incubators.

For Aachen, this means: new opportunities for growth, innovation and international visibility.

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A neighborhood for everyone: opening up to urban society

Integration into the city is an important aspect. Unlike previous campus concepts, Campus West should not be a secluded area.

Public spaces, paths and green spaces are planned. Citizens should have the opportunity to use the district, whether for walking, shopping or as a meeting place.

This approach creates acceptance and strengthens the feeling that science is part of urban life.

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Opportunities and challenges at a glance

Campus West has the potential to permanently shape Aachen, just like Campus Melaten. But success depends on whether vision and practice can be reconciled.

Opportunities:

• Innovation and research in the middle of the city
• New jobs and economic strength
• Climate-neutral energy supply as a role model
• Better quality of life in western Aachen
  

challenges:

• Complex approval processes
• Financing infrastructure
• Transport connection without additional burden
• Acceptance among the population

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conclusion

Campus West is no ordinary building project. It is a future project that aims to strengthen Aachen as a science location and at the same time make the city more livable.

The combination of sustainable architecture, top-level research and urban integration is unique in this form. Even if there are legal and organizational hurdles, the journey is worthwhile.

If you want to understand Aachen and its development, there is no way around Campus West.

Would you like to learn more about Campus West or how RWTH Aachen is changing the location? Have a look at the official websites or contact the City of Aachen directly here for all plans, participation opportunities and current dates.

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