Local optimisation project - frequently asked questions

To create a unified and vibrant campus, a future meeting place for leading research and higher education. Appropriate premises will stabilise the economy, reduce the climate footprint and together we will create the conditions for the university of tomorrow.

The university's premises must meet the needs of the organisation, both in the short and long term, while balancing these needs with economic conditions. This means that the university must have the right premises at the right cost. Existing premises must be used efficiently and vacant premises minimised. This is important from the point of view of both financial sustainability and a resource-efficient and long-term supply of premises.

To achieve this, the locale optimisation project is therefore being implemented. The project is prioritised and covers all activities at the university and all of the university's properties and leases.

The locale optimisation project is a university-wide project in which all premises have been reviewed to determine how they can be optimised. The aim of the locale optimisation project is to reduce the total leased space by improving the utilisation of the premises stock and to co-locate activities that are currently located outside Frescati and Albano.

This will result in a large number of relocations and adaptations of the university's activities that will be carried out over the next ten years.

In connection with this, a number of the university's existing leased premises will be refurbished, with a focus on surface finishes and the indoor climate of the properties.

The locale optimisation project also includes a review of the university's premises, such as the university's teaching and writing rooms, to ensure that the capacity and design are in line with what the university requires today and tomorrow.

The locale optimisation project is a university-wide project commissioned by the President. On 9 June 2023, the President decided to commission the project. On 12 September 2024, the President decided on the project's feasibility study, which forms the basis for the current implementation phase.

The project affects all the university's activities, buildings and leases to varying degrees. During the implementation phase, a large number of the university's activities will be affected by relocating to new premises or adapting their existing premises.

By a unified and vibrant campus, we mean a campus that is welcoming and inclusive, that contributes to increased proximity between activities and where people can easily meet.

A unified campus offers a safe and secure environment with improved opportunities for collaboration and co-operation, and a wider range of appropriate and efficient facilities.

A vibrant campus has a mix of functions that enrich and simplify everyday life for students, staff and visitors. A vibrant campus means that the university's premises are utilised to a greater extent and for the right purpose, regardless of whether they are learning environments, research environments or offices.

The Property Management Office assesses all requests for adaptations on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the upcoming optimisation of premises. There may be reasons to postpone adaptations if they are affected by the optimisation of premises.

For example, if you want to rebuild your office to create several smaller rooms, it may be necessary to wait to carry this out in connection with the implementation of the space optimisation project. The assessment is made in each case in consultation with the Property Management office.

Information to employees is provided by the respective manager. General information on the locale optimisation project is regularly updated here, on the project page.

The individual departments at Stockholm University will be involved in each respective sub-project when their activities are affected. When relocating or adapting premises, it is of great importance that the affected departments are involved and engaged so that they can provide their specific needs regarding their premises.

The fact that this work is done jointly between the epartments concerned and the Property Management Office is a prerequisite for a successful result. Prior to each sub-project, the department concerned will be contacted by the Property Management Office to set up a working group within the department to participate in the planning and implementation of the measures that will take place.

The transition from department-specific to centrally bookable teaching rooms will need further investigation. This is to thoroughly review which rooms are affected and when the transition can take place.

The project has repeatedly communicated during the implementation phase that there is a financial window of opportunity for the co-location of the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences. How come this has suddenly changed?

The financial window we identified was based on the synergies we believed could be achieved when Akademiska Hus announced a mandatory renovation of Södra huset. If, at the same time as the renovation, we carried out refurbishment and adaptation of the premises, the university’s costs could potentially be reduced. However, the rent indication received from the property owner in February shows that the cost level far exceeds the university’s own estimates. Stockholm University has on several occasions requested a detailed explanation from Akademiska Hus as to why the cost is so high. Unfortunately, we have not received a satisfactory response that justifies the cost.

When will DSV move to Frescati?

In January 2021, the Vice-Chancellor decided that DSV should be relocated to Frescati or its immediate vicinity. The direction decision still stands and we are working in accordance with it. However, at present we do not know exactly when the relocation can take place; we will need to return with further information on this.

Does the project’s mandate change due to the decision?

The project’s mandate remains unchanged, with the aim of contributing to a sustainable and stable economy for Stockholm University through local optimisation, providing efficient and fit-for-purpose premises, and creating an attractive campus.

Will the scope of the project change?

No, the work in the other parts of the project continues without interruption. Local optimisation and operational adaptation for Arrhenius and Allhuset–Lantis will proceed as planned.

Will the project timeline change?

It is currently too early to say whether the timeline will be affected by the decision. The project is now focusing on reviewing how local optimisation should be carried out in light of the decision not to relocate the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences in the first phase of the renovation (Building F).

What is happening in the project now?

The project’s focus in the near term will be to develop different investigative options for the local optimisation of Södra huset, as a consequence of the steering committee’s decision not to co-locate the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences at this stage. Otherwise, work on local optimisation for Arrhenius and Allhuset continues, along with the investigations included in the project.