Pedestrians, cyclists, and green spaces take center stage in the Area Vision for a vibrant and low-traffic Heijendaal campus. The plan, developed by PosadMaxwan, outlines the shared future vision of Radboud University, Radboudumc, HAN, and the Municipality of Nijmegen.
Together with the city
The area vision was created in consultation with users, residents and organizations from the surrounding neighborhoods. During four participation meetings a wide range of comments, concerns, compliments and points for attention were collected. Concerns such as parking congestion and maintaining peace and quiet on campus were taken into account. In addition, attention was paid to improving walking and cycling routes and making optimal use of the greenery and heritage present.
Based on stakeholder concerns, it was decided not to close roads on campus to vehicular traffic. Instead, a series of measures were chosen that prioritize cyclists and pedestrians, such as introducing a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h for cars.
Four story lines
The integrated area vision is structured along four storylines that tell the shared story of the campus: the vital & connected campus, the natural & green estate campus, the vibrant & urban campus and the future-proof & flexible campus.
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"The Area Vision Campus Heijendaal marks a historic moment. For the first time in a long while, there is a shared vision among all campus partners and the municipality regarding the spatial and programmatic development of the campus. The focus is on a green, natural campus with room for the development of education, research, and the valorization of all campus partners."
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Vital & connected campus
Every choice people make to lead a healthier life also has a spatial component. This area vision prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, following the so-called STOMP principle (prioritizing walking, cycling, and public transport over cars). We stimulate this as much as possible by improving existing cycling and walking routes and creating new ones. A prime example is "De Loper", a wide and comfortable route for slow traffic that runs across the entire campus, connecting meeting places and public transport stops. Car use is discouraged by measures such as reducing speed limits across the campus, clustering parking areas, adding more pedestrian crossings, and redesigning road profiles.
Natural & green estate campus
Campus Heijendaal is not a blank slate. This area vision explicitly builds on the unique qualities of the existing campus. The area's rich history—from Roman traces and the estate era to the founding of the Netherlands' first Catholic university and the hospital's expansion—remains visible in the characteristic, wooded landscape with a mix of open and enclosed spaces and distinctive buildings. The landscape of long avenues and structured sections, known as the "estate framework," forms the foundation of the spatial structure. Special attention is given to public spaces, green assets, and the careful integration of buildings into the landscape.
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Lively & urban campus
A vibrant campus is a pleasant place to be, with attractive public spaces. We encourage vibrancy by providing space for innovative businesses and housing and adding small-scale amenities. We also choose to cluster activities and functions in specific areas, creating lively hubs for interaction. Outside these clusters, the campus remains a peaceful environment, benefiting both people and wildlife. This approach ensures a balanced coexistence of lively and quiet spaces.
Future-proof & flexible campus
A successful campus is one where development opportunities and the preservation of unique (green) qualities go hand in hand. Since this balance is not always straightforward, we distinguish between development locations and the green framework of the "landscape structure," which we aim to preserve and enhance. New developments focus on high-quality, energy-neutral, and circular buildings by reusing existing structures, incorporating secondary raw materials and natural materials, and opting for modular construction. Additionally, we build compactly, minimizing the footprint to improve the area's accessibility and avoid creating new large barriers.
