The framework for a large relocation has now been decided
UCPH will need to fit into fewer square metres. A relocation plan involving all faculties is taking shape.
Many units will be affected when UCPH terminates most of the leases for the Kommunehospital and the Geocentre building at Øster Voldgade 10. Before the relocation process can begin, the mould renovation on South Campus must be completed, and external tenants must move out. The three money bags in the figure indicate where in the process UCPH will achieve the desired rent savings. Click the figure to view it in a larger format.
UCPH will need to reduce its square-metre footprint. This was set out several years ago in the 2030 Masterplan as a consideration for both the overall balance of building finances and the University's climate footprint, of which buildings make up a large share.
With 2030 approaching, it is clear that savings in the building area are also necessary to ensure balance in the University's overall long-term finances.
Therefore, management will now initiate major internal relocations to facilitate lease terminations. Some years ago, it was decided that SAMF would move from the Kommunehospital to South Campus. Since then, it has been decided to terminate the lease for the Geocentre building at Øster Voldgade 10, where parts of the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management are located. In addition, the Globe Institute and the Natural History Museum of Denmark will relocate to Museum Square near the Botanical Gardens.
Work has also begun on a long-term campus plan for North Campus.
Local concerns
The relocation plans have been discussed by the faculties and departments concerned for several years. Most recently in November 2025, when the local collaboration and occupational health and safety committees were presented with the overall relocation plan as well as the management principle for how and when to organise the relocations.
According to the agreed principle, premises are not fully adapted until after the new occupants have moved in. It has been agreed to accelerate the process to achieve the desired savings.
This has raised concerns among the local collaboration and occupational health and safety committees.
"We're aware of the concerns but let me just say that most of those relocating will be moving into premises that are already laid out as workspaces for research environments. However, some have very specific requirements for carrying out their research and teaching, which we will take into account. No one needs to worry about that," Rector David Dreyer Lassen says.
The collaboration and occupational health and safety committees have raised many questions about the process. Please find a list of questions and answers on KUnet.
A complex process
The relocation is a complex process with many interdependencies.
The main steps are as follows:
- HUM, LAW and THEO will move closer together in fewer square metres, and external tenants will be terminated and must vacate the premises.
- SAMF will relocate to South Campus. Approximately 600 employees and 7,000 students will move there.
- The Globe Institute is to relocate from the Kommunehospital to Museum Square (around the Botanical Garden) – except for the laboratories, which will remain at the hospital until it is deemed financially viable to find an alternative location.
- The Department of Public Health and the Research Unit for General Practice are to move from the hospital to a new location that awaits clarification.
- The geologists and geographers from the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management are to leave Øster Voldgade 10. The department's end location is not yet finalised.
- UCPH IT is to relocate from its temporary address in the Niels Bohr Building to a new location that needs to be clarified.
- UCPH will not terminate the lease of the Chr. Hansen lecture hall at the Kommunehospital before the need can be accommodated elsewhere at UCPH. This means some students and teaching staff will commute to attend lectures.
Before SAMF can move to South Campus, the mould renovation issue must be completed.
It is not yet possible to answer the question everyone is asking: "When will I move?"
"Unfortunately, it is too early to say exactly when individual units may expect to move. But planning is in full swing, and in spring 2026, UCPH BYG will contact the first units to be involved in designing their future premises. At the same time, they are planning when and how students will be involved," Rector David Dreyer Lassen says.
Log in to KUnet
This page comes from the University of Copenhagen intranet and is aimed at university students and/or employees. The page is accessible because an employee or student has chosen to share the page.
If you are an employee or student at UCPH, you can log in and see more on the intranet.