The campus of Gdańsk University of Technology has been recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in Europe according to Times Higher Education. There are modern and environmentally friendly buildings as well as majestic buildings from the beginning XX century on the 77 hectares of the campus. Outside, in green areas, there are both outdoor benches and picnic areas and even an outdoor gym.
There are almost 100 different species of deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs on the entire Gdańsk Tech campus. Tree corridors prevail in the historic part of the campus. Between the buildings you can see houses for hedgehogs, insects, and even beehives. We want to protect nature on the campus and increase the share of green areas friendly to various species of plants and animals. Monitoring and maintaining green spaces is a key task for a team of gardeners who manage the area in a sustainable manner. We want to create a green area development plan to provide space for biodiversity development on campus.
Gdańsk University of Technology is currently one of the largest and most dynamically operating investors in Pomerania, as well as among all universities in Poland. Through an extensive investment strategy, Gdańsk University of Technology aims to create the most important academic center in the northern part of the country, simultaneously fitting in the most important challenges of today's world. Construction of new buildings such as the Competence Center STOS or the Eco-innovation Center, as well as revitalization of the historic Hydromechanics building and modernization of student dormitories are conducted in accordance with sustainable standards wherever possible. Our next new investments will be implemented in 100% with respect to the principles of sustainable development. In the forthcoming years, our campus will gain new green spaces serving the academic community and residents of Gdańsk. We want Gdańsk Tech campus to be open, so that employees, students and the local community can fully benefit from the surrounding nature.
In line with these efforts, Gdańsk University of Technology actively seeks to minimise its impact on the environment by implementing environmentally friendly solutions across campus. As part of this approach, the university has installed 14 rainwater tanks, each with a capacity of 360 litres. Together, they enable the annual collection of approximately 7,500–10,000 litres of water used for maintaining campus greenery, thereby reducing potable water consumption and promoting sustainable resource management.
The newly constructed Eco-Innovation Center (2024) also incorporates advanced water-saving technologies. Its greywater recycling systems — designed both as demonstration installations and as fully functional elements integrated with the municipal water network — significantly reduce the use of drinking water by repurposing greywater for non-potable applications such as toilet flushing. To further increase water efficiency, the Eco-Innovation Center is equipped with vacuum toilets and waterless urinals in selected restrooms.
The green roof of the Eco-Innovation Center constitutes another ecological solution, designed to mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve the local microclimate, reduce rainwater runoff, and enhance biodiversity. It is an extensive green roof requiring minimal maintenance and planted with drought- and frost-resistant vegetation.
Another important initiative undertaken at Gdańsk University of Technology involves the creation of rain gardens. Although they resemble conventional gardens, their carefully selected vegetation and layered soil structure allow them to pre-treat rainwater and direct it into deeper soil layers, thus helping to retain water in the landscape. One of the rain gardens on campus collects runoff from an adjacent roadway, while another is located within the newly developed campus park.
Additionally, Gdańsk Tech establishes flower meadows on campus every year. These areas naturally retain rainwater for extended periods, making them highly effective for water retention. They require neither irrigation — even during dry periods — nor frequent mowing. Acting like natural sponges, they absorb rainwater, keep the soil moist, and contribute to reducing the need for artificial irrigation.