On 11–12 December, the Board of the Faculty of Science and the Board of Lund University of Technology (LTH) made a decision regarding the faculties' joint establishment in Science Village and outlined the next steps in the process.
The decisions, based on proposals from the Operations Steering Group (VSG) and the Science Village Stage 2 project group, include the following:
- Previous options for a Science Village establishment are discontinued
The previously considered options are no longer under investigation:- Option 0: Renovation of Fysicum and the Department of Chemistry, combined with a smaller establishment of selected infrastructures in Science Village.
- Option 1: Co-location of chemistry, physics, and parts of EIT in Science Village (Scenario 5).
- Option 2: Co-location of the Department of Physics and Department of Chemistry at the 'Kemicentrum', with a smaller proportion of infrastructure placed in Science Village.
- New alternative locations in Science Village to be investigated
The Operations Steering Group has been tasked with exploring which establishments, beyond Nanolab Science Village, are necessary for Lund University to achieve a critical mass in Science Village. - Focus on co-locating the chemistry and physics departments
The Steering Group will evaluate the feasibility and conditions for joint operational development of the physics and chemistry departments, aiming for co-location at a suitable site.
Co-location on the existing campus seen as most advantageous
The Steering Group has concluded that co-locating the chemistry and physics departments at the Chemistry Centre on campus is the most favorable solution. Simultaneously, there is a clear ambition to explore opportunities for a smaller, strategic establishment in Science Village. This aligns with ongoing discussions on material strategies and the future establishment of Nanolab Science Village.
A vision for an intellectual meeting place
Another key element of the decision is the aim for Lund University to create an intellectual meeting place in Science Village. This would serve as a hub for universities, businesses, and collaborative actors. Instead of constructing a new building, the university plans to rent suitable premises in the area.
Next steps
Following the joint decision, the work will now focus on refining the establishment plans. The Operations Steering Group will play a central role in addressing the need for improved premises for staff currently based at Fysicum, advancing the organisation’s development, and ensuring the strategic growth of the university in Science Village.
The Steering Committee and the project group are scheduled to present the results of their investigations at the faculty boards’ meetings in June 2025.
Download the Faculty Boards' decisions on the LU in Science Village blog.
LU in Science Village blog (in Swedish) - lusciencevillage.blogg.lu.se