TU Delft is actively committed to making the campus greener and more climate resilient. We have launched multiple green projects to boost biodiversity and create a pleasant environment for people and animals alike. These projects play an important part in achieving TU Delft’s sustainability ambition: a carbon-neutral, climate-adaptive and circular campus by 2030, with a focus on biodiversity and quality of life.

Green in stages

We’re working on greening buildings and outdoor spaces, as well as upgrading existing green spaces. In a series of different phases, we will spruce up carefully selected sites that connect ecological hotspots throughout the campus. What’s more, all these sites play an important role in handling extreme rainfall and downpours, while serving as cool, shady locations in the summer heat, making the campus more resilient to the challenges of the future.

Green projects

Urban Climate Grove

The first greening project to be completed is the Urban climate forest next to the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, where a paved forecourt has been transformed into a lush bioswale abounding with trees. It’s a terrific place to relax, while also creating space for new scientific research and helping to solve climate change challenges. More information can be found here.

Stieltjesweg, Leeghwaterstraat and the ME Towing Tank

Greening projects have also been planned for Stieltjesweg, Leeghwaterstraat, and the façades of the towing tank near building 34 (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering), with students coming up with creative ways to depave the campus and bolster biodiversity.

• Stieltjesweg and Leeghwaterstraat: The revamped planting plan for the greenery along the Stieltjesweg and Leeghwaterstraat and the creation of bioswales will enhance the area’s ecological quality.
• Mechanical Engineering Towing Tank: Planting will be added to the north and south façade of the towing tank near building 34 (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering).
• Courtyard of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science: The redesign of the courtyard of Building 36 (EEMCS) includes removing part of the pavement and adding greenery, giving students and staff alike the prospect of studying and working in greener surroundings.

Impressions of Stieltjesweg and Leeghwaterstraat

Impressions of the EEMCS courtyard and ME towing tank

Joining forces with teaching & research

Students from several faculties are actively involved in the design and implementation processes of the projects, giving them valuable experience in nature-inclusive and climate-adaptive design in an urban environment. By contributing to the projects, students gained insight into ecological processes and the applications of sustainable engineering concepts such as biomimetics and green engineering.

Greening and depaving

Beyond stripping out hard surfaces such as roads, pavement and parking spaces, upgrading existing green spaces is also an important part of the greening process. By adding variety and connecting fragmented green spaces, we’re creating more liveable habitats for flora and fauna. Specific consideration is given to potential ecological linking zones, which connect natural areas and ecological hotspots and promote the movement and spread of flora and fauna.

The university campus through the years

The university’s dedicated efforts to greening the campus have already kickstarted a veritable transformation, creating a green campus that is a world apart from the same campus 60 to 70 years ago.

Facts & Figures

• Mixed plants and seeds totalling more than 40 different native annual and perennial species
• 4 species of trees
• This flora will serve as a habitat for many different animal species, including:
  • Blackbird
  • Hedgehog
  • Argus butterfly
  • Ashy mining bee
  • Yellow-legged mining bee
  • Common carder bee
  • Hairy-footed flower bee
  • Tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva)

Planning

The greening projects will be implemented in several phases.

• Q4 2024: Start of groundwork for Leeghwaterstraat, Stieltjesweg and the ME Towing Tank. Green spaces will be planted in the same period, with work set to be completed in week 51.
• Mid-2025: start of work on the EEMCS courtyard

This page will be updated as soon as new greening projects are announced. 

More information

For more information about the projects, please contact secr-CREFM@tudelft.nl.