Property Manager Vesa-Heikki Kemppainen knows how to lead the preparation of a property strategy: "Participation is key to success"
"It is clear that there are a lot of opinions and emotions associated with the property strategy. The university is a workplace for thousands of people and a community the size of a small town as a whole," Kemppainen says and continues:
"We are looking for the best possible solution, taking into account all areas. Less, better and more cost-effective."
In the face of a flood of opinions, the work of a property manager requires precision and attentiveness, the ability to collect and analyse a wide range of information, extensive knowledge of both properties and the laws of economics, as well as the time to meet and listen to the wishes and needs, as well as the ability to focus on what is essential: timeless, economical, safe and attractive spaces.
At the same time, it is necessary to be able to form an understanding of population development, migration, the development of urban infrastructure, people's ways of moving and acting, and the university's attraction factors both regionally and on an everyday level. You have to think about research, teaching, and office work. We need to see the different needs of individuals, units and faculties – and the potential synergies between among them.
Quite a task?
"Very diverse and very inspiring," Kemppainen replies firmly.
According to Kemppainen, it is essential to take into account not only the adaptability and functionality of the premises, but also cost-effectiveness and synergy benefits.
"If we don't do anything about our facilities and let them remain as they are, real estate costs would rise significantly and they would take up an increasing share of the university's available funds. It is essential that we use the funds for research, teaching and innovation, and the property strategy must support that both financially and operationally."
Kemppainen points out that modern premises are also an attraction factor when attracting the best experts. He points out that many of Finland's universities have already taken similar measures with good results.
Participation at the core
Kemppainen has extensive experience in demanding management positions in the real estate industry and insight into different aspects of strategies. According to him, broad participation is essential in the successful preparation of a property strategy.
"Participation is definitely an important part of a successful project. We have tried to meet and hear as many different perspectives as possible."
The schedule for the data collection phase has been tight. Despite this, the group interviews and workshops have attracted participants from a wide range of different faculties and units of the university, including students.
In addition, an open survey to complement the data collection, infrastructure tours and a workstation dimensioning survey have been carried out for the entire university community.
Where are we now?
The property strategy is now, on the eve of summer 2025, at an important stage. The mapping of the need for premises and the preparation of different campus scenarios are on schedule. Kemppainen praises the work done in the past, which has been helpful, and without them, such rapid progress would not have been possible now.
He emphasises that the different options are examined equally and from as many different perspectives as possible in order to find the best outcome.
The aim of the Board of Directors of the University of Oulu is to make decisions related to the property strategy during 2025.
Even in the summer, the property manager's thoughts are actively focused on university matters, though there is of course some time for doing some maintenance work on the summer cottage in Kainuu.
Phases of the property strategy 2025:
February-May: Space needs survey, synergies, space concepts, concept plan and scenarios
June: Meeting of the Board of Directors on 10 June 2025, approval of the property strategy
End of 2025: Specification of the scenarios and related decisions