This project website is part of the 20/21 Minor Future Planet Innovations of the University of Groningen

sustainable synergy

Sustainable synergy is the first step to showcasing sustainability at Zernike Campus. This challenge is mostly about practicing what you preach. Before we can start telling a story or conveying a vision, we need a leg to stand on. When surrounded by sustainability it will be something you expect, rather than something to strive for.

These innovations will:

Enhance biodiversity and climate adaptive measures
Improve the interaction between sustainability and the users of the campus
Have high visibility, so that they are visible for every visitor of the campus

By achieving these goals, sustainability will be part of the fundamental message of Zernike Campus. It will give the campus a powerful basis to work from.

We propose...

Green walls or green roofs

There are widespread benefits of implementing green roofs and walls on Zernike Campus, not only for the showcasing of sustainability, but also some cost reducing ones:

Thermal regulation of buildings which lowers the energy costs
Retained water from green roofs can be repurposed for flushing toilets or might have applications for industrial symbiosis
Supporting biodiversity; these innovations can act as a habitat for insects and birds
Improves green and sustainable appearance on campus significantly

The infrastructure on the campus itself can be improved in terms of using sustainable components and materials. An idea for an innovation enhancing biodiversity on campus would be to change the bus stops to green bus stops.

Covered with grass and wildflowers to attract insects
Captures fine dust and stores rainwater
Low in maintenance and water needs because of sedum plant coverage

Green bus stops

Improved cover vegetation

Zernike Campus currently provides little shelter for animals. More cover vegetation would allow small animals to establish themselves in the area. There are several guidelines which should be taken into account in order to improve the campus as habitat for small animals:

Lowering mowing frequencies on grasslands
Abstain from mowing during spring
Mow at set intervals, based on the flowering periods of desired plant species
Increase cover of hedges, hedgerows and groves to diversify the present ecosystems
Increase cover and texture by leaving fallen trees and leaves, generally seen as ‘waste’

But also...

Water walls, permeable pavement, flower containers, nesting opportunnities, ecosystem corridors, floating islands, wooden decks & vegetated banks

Page updated

Report abuse