The board of the University of Oulu approved the property strategy

The property strategy is based on the goals set by the university board, against which future space solutions are evaluated:

• A financially sustainable foundation takes into account changes in the operating environment, demographic development and the economic situation as a whole.
• The functionally sustainable foundation is based on an activity-oriented model for the use of space, which seeks synergy and cooperation across unit boundaries.
• The property strategy takes a stand on the form of property management, which can be e.g. leasing or building on one's own balance sheet.
• The property strategy supports the university's attractiveness to ensure the future of the University of Oulu also in the coming decades.
• The property strategy takes into account the environmental and nature impacts as well as the university's social responsibility.

The property strategy sets the economic starting point for future space solutions: the relative share of real estate costs in the university's costs will be at the current level over the life cycle at the most.

The university's real estate costs will increase significantly from the current level if no significant changes are made to the existing property portfolio. This is primarily due to the renovations required for the ageing building stock of Linnanmaa and Kontinkangas in accordance with a calculation made by University Properties of Finland Ltd (SYK), which owns the buildings. Renovations mean restoring the condition of the premises to the starting level, and do not include improving their properties or modifying the premises to meet future needs.

Concepts for study spaces, work environments and laboratory facilities

A space needs survey was carried out for the property strategy in spring 2025, the aim of which was to determine the space concepts to be used as a design basis for future spaces and to find synergies in the use of space between the university's faculties and units. The goal is both to reduce the need for space as a whole and to increase interdisciplinary cooperation and encounters through shared spaces.

The space needs survey was carried out by ARCO Architecture Company Oy under the guidance of a property strategy working group representing all faculties and units of the university. Staff and students were involved in a total of 28 meetings and through a survey open to all members of the University community, which received 1553 responses.

In the space needs survey, space concepts were drawn up for teaching and study facilities, work environments and laboratory facilities. The basic principles of all space concepts are the adaptability of spaces, classifications into public–semi-public and private spaces, and versatility.

As part of the study on the need for premises, the Regional Development Office MDI has prepared a forecast of the changes in the number of applicants and students to the University of Oulu until 2050 by modelling.

Based on the modelling, the impact of the demographic change faced by northern Finland will be on the University of Oulu with a delay and will be more moderate than could be assumed on the basis of the development of age groups alone. The prerequisite for this is that a larger proportion of the age group completes a higher education degree in accordance with the national target. Education policy and funding will have a major impact on the number of students in the future. On the other hand, international students bring significant leeway to the number of students.

Based on the modelling, it can be assumed that the number of students at the University of Oulu will remain fairly close to the current level of approximately 14,000 students. The number of employees, a total of approximately 4,000 people, can therefore also be expected to remain at the current level. However, there are uncertainties related to modelling, which highlights the importance of flexibility and adaptability in future space solutions.

Alternative scenarios to meet space needs

Based on the space needs survey, space concepts and synergies, three alternative scenarios have been identified for the implementation of the university's future space needs:

• Scenario 1: One new campus in Kontinkangas, 76,580 htm2, space reduction of -40% compared to the current one
• Scenario 2: Two campuses, one new one in Kontinkangas and the renovation and improvement of the Linnanmaa campus and alteration as necessary, as well as new buildings, 92,442 m2, space reduction of -28% compared to the current
• Scenario 3: Two campuses, one new one in Kontinkangas and one new one in a new location closer to Kontinkangas than the current Linnanmaa campus, 77,869 m2, space reduction of -39% compared to the current location

Next, the scenarios will be specified and assessed against the objectives of the property strategy. The scenarios are calculated with investment costs, annual costs at the beginning of the holding period and 30-year life cycle costs for capital. In addition, cash flow calculations are made for two forms of management, construction on the University's own balance sheet or renting, and the impact on the development of the university's capital will be assessed. The scenarios are assessed on the basis of the functional orientation, synergy and adaptability of the premises, taking into account environmental and nature impacts as well as social responsibility.