{"id":28586,"date":"2026-11-13T07:04:54","date_gmt":"2026-11-13T06:04:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/project-partners-sign-urban-development-framework-plan\/"},"modified":"2026-11-13T08:46:48","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T07:46:48","slug":"project-partners-sign-urban-development-framework-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/project-partners-sign-urban-development-framework-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Project partners sign urban development plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

M\u00fcnster is characterized by research, academia, and the city\u2019s urban qualities. The BLB NRW, the University of M\u00fcnster and University of Applied Sciences M\u00fcnster, the Student Services Organization, and the city aim to integrate these areas even more closely through urban planning in the future. The partners reached an important milestone today with the signing of the jointly developed \u201cNWZplus Urban Planning Structural Concept.\u201d In doing so, they are reaffirming a shared vision for the future-oriented development of the approximately 250,000-square-meter Natural Sciences Center (NWZ) near the city center.<\/em><\/p>\n

Several years ago, it had already been agreed to further develop the city\u2019s science-oriented districts into \u201curban knowledge districts.\u201d \u201cThe fact that we drafted this document together, transcending institutional boundaries, is unique in this form and something special. \u201cFrom the very beginning, the collaboration was characterized by a high degree of trust, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to finding good solutions,\u201d says Markus Vieth, technical director of the M\u00fcnster branch of the NRW Construction and Real Estate Management Agency<\/strong>, describing the process.<\/p>\n

From the very beginning, the partners agreed that the concept should focus on science, mixed-use development, student accomodation, mobility, sustainability, open space, climate resilience, and an enhanced quality of life.
\n\u201cWith our joint structural concept, the monofunctional Natural Sciences Center can become a vibrant part of M\u00fcnster. Together, we must seize this opportunity to further strengthen M\u00fcnster as a hub for science while also bringing more urban life to the neighborhood. This also includes the development toward a green, water-sensitive, and climate-resilient knowledge district,\u201d says Mayor Tilman Fuchs, explaining the concept of the urban knowledge district.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

M\u00fcnster\u2019s City Planning Director, Robin Denstorff<\/strong>, is also convinced of the structural concept: \u201cThe structural concept addresses all the key issues for contemporary urban planning and future-oriented neighborhood development: neighborhood revitalization and mixed-use development, the creation of livable spaces and neighborhood identities, smart mobility solutions, strengthening ecological qualities in line with the \u2018sponge city\u2019 concept, and the further development of green infrastructure. On this basis, all participating partners can contribute to the multifunctional further development of the Natural Sciences Center.\u201d<\/p>\n

From a university campus to a vibrant neighborhood<\/h3>\n

The NWZplus is bounded on the east by Orl\u00e9ans-Ring, on the north by Henriette-Son-Stra\u00dfe and Mendelstra\u00dfe, on the west by Busso-Peus-Stra\u00dfe, and on the south by Von-Esmarch-Stra\u00dfe. So far, the area has primarily been a typical university campus and still lacks urban infrastructure. Buildings from the 1960s and 1970s stand alongside modern research facilities, while multi-lane roads and large traffic-light-controlled intersections define the surroundings. The wide paths between the institutes are paved with asphalt or cobblestones.<\/p>\n

The structural concept is based on a jointly developed plan that was created through a workshop-style process with the support of an external planning firm. All project partners cooperatively contributed their diverse needs and professional perspectives to the process.<\/p>\n

The basis for the urban redevelopment of the university grounds was, first and foremost, to take into account the existing buildings as well as those currently in the planning or construction phases. Subsequently, the space requirements were determined and reorganized into building complexes on the site. \u201cIt is particularly positive that the concept establishes a common direction while also leaving room for future adjustments. This gives us the flexibility we need as a university for our planning,\u201d emphasizes University Rector Prof. Dr. Susanne Menzel-Riedl.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mobilit\u00e4tskonzept schafft Verbindung<\/h3>\n

The signed structural plan now calls for a low-traffic neighborhood with a well-thought-out mobility concept. Parking spaces are to be reduced and consolidated into mobility stations on the outskirts of the area. The plan aims to redesign Corrensstra\u00dfe\u2014currently an oversized traffic corridor\u2014into a key route for cyclists, pedestrians, and public transportation. This section of M\u00fcnster\u2019s \u201cScience Boulevard\u201d thus runs through the neighborhood from north to south. From east to west, however, the so-called \u201cWissensstrahl\u201d runs along Wilhelm-Klemm-Stra\u00dfe and R\u00f6ntgenstra\u00dfe. \u201cScience Boulevard\u201d and the \u201cKnowledge Beam\u201d thus form two central axes within the neighborhood, connecting various areas\u2014from the city center to Gievenbeck. This also represents a real opportunity for the University of Applied Sciences M\u00fcnster.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the NWZplus urban development plan, we are positioning our university campuses in M\u00fcnster for the future: Development opportunities will strengthen the University of Applied Sciences Center, and with the \u2018Science Boulevard,\u2019 we are connecting the H\u00fcffer Campus, the University of Applied Sciences Center, and the Leonardo Campus\u2014working together with our partners to create a vibrant, sustainably connected, virtually car-free knowledge district \u2014a step that, in the best spirit of neighborliness, \u2018makes us<\/strong> look forward to tomorrow,\u2019\u201d emphasizes Prof. Dr. Frank Dellmann, President of the University of Applied Sciences M\u00fcnster<\/strong>.
\nThe new traffic light system, which allows pedestrians to cross the Orle\u00e1ns-Ring at the intersection with Domagkstra\u00dfe, is already contributing to the mobility concept.<\/p>\n

More Green Space, Social Interaction, and Student Life<\/h3>\n

The goal of the urban development plan is to create more space for green areas and open spaces, as well as attractive gathering places. These spaces offer ecological benefits by helping to improve the microclimate and promote biodiversity, or by serving as stormwater retention and infiltration areas. At the same time, they provide space for social interaction, leisure, sports, dining, and recreation. Dr. Christoph Holtwisch, Executive Director of the M\u00fcnster Student Services Organization, also welcomes this development: \u201cThe revitalization of the Natural Sciences Center will be driven by the students. As the Studierendenwerk, we are therefore pleased that the NWZplus structural concept also takes into account new dining hall concepts and student accomodation in the neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Shared Vision for the Future<\/h3>\n

By signing the final document, the partners have laid out a common roadmap to make M\u00fcnster and its knowledge districts more attractive. \u201cTo achieve this, it was important to bring everyone to the table,\u201d emphasizes Markus Vieth of BLB NRW, highlighting the forward-looking nature of the plan: \u201cNothing is set in stone yet with our signed concept. It is a declaration of intent for the forward-looking and future-oriented urban planning of an urban knowledge district, which has already been coordinated with all partners in advance. This allows us to create a solid foundation for implementing future needs more quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Quarter-Century of BLB NRW<\/h3>\n

25 Years of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Building and Real Estate Management Agency (BLB NRW): With approximately 4,000 buildings and a leasable area of about 10.3 million square meters, the BLB NRW owns and leases nearly all of the buildings in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and manages one of the largest real estate portfolios in Europe. Its services include, among other things, the development and planning, construction and modernization, as well as the management and sale of technically and architecturally highly complex properties. In addition, as part of the Federal Construction Program, the BLB NRW plans and carries out the civil and military construction projects of the Federal Republic of Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia. BLB NRW employs more than 3,100 staff members at eight locations. For more information, visit www.blb.nrw.de
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Pictured (in order): Marcel <\/em>Fischer (BLB NRW), Rainer Leuders (BLB NRW), Gregor Kleinhans (BLB NRW), Dr. Christoph Holtwisch (Studierendenwerk M\u00fcnster), Robin Denstorff (City of M\u00fcnster), Tilman Fuchs (Mayor), Matthias Schwarte (University), Prof. Dr. Susanne Menzel-Riedl (University), Guido Brebaum (University of Applied Sciences M\u00fcnster), Prof. Dr. Frank Dellmann (University of Applied Sciences M\u00fcnster), Volker Ruff (M\u00fcnster Technology Promotion), Matthias Dieler (University of Applied Sciences M\u00fcnster), Torsten Maag (University), Dr. Marco Trienes (Economic Development), Markus Vieth (BLB NRW).<\/p>\n

Press release and photo by Maren Becker (BLB)<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

M\u00fcnster is characterized by research, academia, and the city\u2019s urban qualities. The BLB NRW, the University of M\u00fcnster and University of Applied Sciences M\u00fcnster, the Student Services Organization, and the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":28572,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"expiration_date":"","expiration_date_gmt":"","expiration_enabled":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[127],"class_list":["post-28586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28586"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28586\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stw-muenster.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}