Comparative Assessment of Finnish University Campus Transformation Using New European Bauhaus–Inspired Sustainability Indicators

University campuses are key testbeds for circular and climate-resilient transformation. This study evaluates how redevelopment strategies at eight Finnish campuses align with long-term environmental and social goals using indicators derived from the New European Bauhaus (NEB) framework. A mapping and qualitative synthesis of 97 peer-reviewed publications (2015–2024) was combined with a comparative analysis of sustainability strategies, carbon-neutrality roadmaps, and campus development strategies (2010–2024). Indicators were formulated based on campus-specific challenges and NEB core values—sustainability, inclusion, and esthetics—and operationalized across five areas: blue-green infrastructure, low-emission mobility, student housing, carbon reduction and renewables, and cultural heritage/community integration. Results show strong commitments to energy efficiency, mobility, and biodiversity. However, socio-spatial dimensions—student housing, participatory inclusion, and place identity—are weak or externalized. Reporting practices are uneven, and metrics are not standardized, limiting comparability across institutions. We argue that SDG-based monitoring should be complemented by NEB’s place-sensitive criteria to bridge strategy–implementation gaps and to future-proof campus redevelopment. An illustrative conceptual case for Helsinki’s Viikki campus demonstrates how the indicators can be integrated into design scenarios. Policy recommendations highlight how integrating NEB’s place-sensitive criteria with ESG/SDG frameworks can strengthen the strategic and spatial coherence of campus transformations.

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Publication Details

Journal
Sustainability
Published
2025-11-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210425
Primary Topic
Sustainability in Higher Education
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Comparative Assessment of Finnish University Campus Transformation Using New European Bauhaus–Inspired Sustainability Indicators

Elżbieta Komarzyńska-Świeściak, Magdalena Strauchmann, Aleksandra Urszula Tądel
Sustainability
Sustainability in Higher Education
article

Comparative Assessment of Finnish University Campus Transformation Using New European Bauhaus–Inspired Sustainability Indicators

Elżbieta Komarzyńska-Świeściak, Magdalena Strauchmann, Aleksandra Urszula Tądel
article en

Abstract

University campuses are key testbeds for circular and climate-resilient transformation. This study evaluates how redevelopment strategies at eight Finnish campuses align with long-term environmental and social goals using indicators derived from the New European Bauhaus (NEB) framework. A mapping and qualitative synthesis of 97 peer-reviewed publications (2015–2024) was combined with a comparative analysis of sustainability strategies, carbon-neutrality roadmaps, and campus development strategies (2010–2024). Indicators were formulated based on campus-specific challenges and NEB core values—sustainability, inclusion, and esthetics—and operationalized across five areas: blue-green infrastructure, low-emission mobility, student housing, carbon reduction and renewables, and cultural heritage/community integration. Results show strong commitments to energy efficiency, mobility, and biodiversity. However, socio-spatial dimensions—student housing, participatory inclusion, and place identity—are weak or externalized. Reporting practices are uneven, and metrics are not standardized, limiting comparability across institutions. We argue that SDG-based monitoring should be complemented by NEB’s place-sensitive criteria to bridge strategy–implementation gaps and to future-proof campus redevelopment. An illustrative conceptual case for Helsinki’s Viikki campus demonstrates how the indicators can be integrated into design scenarios. Policy recommendations highlight how integrating NEB’s place-sensitive criteria with ESG/SDG frameworks can strengthen the strategic and spatial coherence of campus transformations.

SustainabilityVol. 17(22)
Wrocław University of Science and Technology (PL), AGH University of Krakow (PL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Sustainability in Higher Education
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Comparative Assessment of Finnish University Campus Transformation Using New European Bauhaus–Inspired Sustainability Indicators — Elżbieta Komarzyńska-Świeściak, Magdalena Strauchmann, et al. · Sustainability (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS