The master plan for the Healthy Ageing Campus has officially been approved! This marks an important step in developing the campus as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and collaboration. With a focus on greenery, health, and connection to the city, the campus will become a vibrant environment where research, education, healthcare, and business come together. The vision provides space for new laboratories, building renovations, meeting places, and closer collaboration between UMCG, RUG, and the business community. Read the whole article by the UMCG below.

On Wednesday, 18 February 2026, the Groningen City Council formally approved the master plan for the Healthy Ageing Campus. This is a major milestone, as the plan provides the framework for the campus’s further development and its integration with the surrounding area.

At the end of last year, the University of Groningen (RUG), the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), and the City of Groningen presented an ambitious, future-proof plan for the campus. Shared ambitions have been translated into coherent spatial and programmatic guidelines for current and future developments. In other words: how much space is available for which functions on the campus, and where is the most suitable location for them?

The renewed campus will:

• Provide space for knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, encouraging interaction between disciplines and people;

• Connect with the city, making the campus a natural part of Groningen life;

• Be a healthy and sustainable environment, with attention to greenery, physical activity, wellbeing, and a living environment that supports health;

• Be lively and accessible, bringing together living, working, research, studying, and healthcare.

Next steps

The master plan is not only a blueprint for the future, but also a concrete step toward further developing the current campus. Construction and renovation on the UMCG and RUG grounds are ongoing, and each project must now be assessed to determine what is possible. With the approval of this master plan, the way is cleared for follow-up decisions, including applying for demolition and building permits and further project development within the area.

Upcoming projects include:

• The construction of the Central Laboratory for Diagnostics and Research (CLDR): a new laboratory building on the site of the former UCP building. This building will bring together various laboratories in one location to improve collaboration. Relocating laboratories from the Central Medical Complex is also necessary for the renovation and expansion of several hospital departments;

• Renovation and future-proofing of existing UMCG and RUG buildings, with attention to sustainability, flexibility, and integration with the heating/cooling system;

• Making the campus greener and more accessible, creating new meeting places and better connections to surrounding public spaces;

• Creating space for campus-related business activities, strengthening collaboration between UMCG, RUG, and the private sector.

Municipality explores the future of DOT

Initially, the master plan covered the area between Petrus Campersingel and Oostersingel, from Hanzeplein to the Oosterhamrikkanaal. In the newly approved plan, the Bodenterrein site has been separated, as the municipality is investigating the costs of possibly preserving DOT. More information on this will be available later this year. Read more about the Master Plan.

Source text and pictures: umcg.nl