The Municipality of Groningen has received nearly five million euros from the national government to accelerate the development of permanent student housing on the Zernike Campus. This investment supports the ambitions of the Zernike Campus Development Vision and strengthens the campus as a vibrant, future-ready innovation district. Read the full announcement below.

The Municipality of Groningen has received a subsidy of nearly five million euros from the national Regeling Huisvesting Aandachtsgroepen (RHA 2025). This funding is intended for the development of permanent student housing on the Zernike Campus. The subsidy enables the start of the preparatory phase.

This application aligns seamlessly with the Zernike Campus Development Vision, adopted in 2024. The vision outlines an ambitious future in which the campus transforms into a vibrant, multifunctional and sustainable innovation district. Spatially, it focuses on mixed-use development, low-traffic zones, collective parking hubs and a campus that is seamlessly connected to the city of Groningen. There is also a strong emphasis on high-quality public space and sustainable enterprise, including the development of a district heating network (Warmtenet).

Housing Shortage and the Next Step After Proxima

The demand for student housing in Groningen remains high. Therefore, in the coming years, approximately 1,500 to 2,000 purpose-built homes for the target groups will be developed on the Zernike Campus. These permanent units are in addition to existing temporary student housing. They directly complement the recently completed temporary complex Proxima, located at the northern edge of the campus. Proxima opened in July 2024 and accommodates 401 students, with peak-season capacity of up to 802 students.

Alderman for Housing Rik van Niejenhuis: “I am pleased with this subsidy, as it allows us to move forward with new permanent housing for students, PhD candidates, international students and knowledge workers. By bringing living and studying closer together, we enhance the vibrancy of the campus and strengthen the support for local amenities. With residential clusters that each have their own character and shared spaces, we are taking an important step toward expanding the supply of student housing on the Campus.”

First Housing Near the New Sports Centre

The first 555 permanent student homes will be built on the south side of the campus, near the new sports centre. This sustainable and multifunctional complex, developed by the University of Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences and ACLO, will rise just north of the current sports building from 1967. The new sports centre is scheduled to open at the end of 2027. Construction of the first permanent housing units will begin no later than the fourth quarter of 2028, with completion planned for 2030.

Part of the Campus Groningen Ecosystem

These developments take place within the broader Campus Groningen ecosystem — a collaboration between the University of Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, UMCG, business association WEST, the Municipality of Groningen and the Province of Groningen. Campus Groningen is the innovation hub of the Northern Netherlands, where more than 70,000 people come together daily to learn, work and innovate. Through strong collaboration and shared ambitions, the campus contributes to societal goals such as Healthy Ageing, sustainability, digitalisation & AI, and the energy transition.

Text: municipality of Groningen and partners
Picture: aerial photo of Zernike Campus