Opening hours in line with usage

Reason and objectives

The adjustment of opening hours stems from Radboud University's budgets cuts and the savings programme. These require a critical look at the use of buildings during quiet periods. At the same time, this offers an opportunity to organise the use of the campus in a smarter, more sustainable and future-proof manner.

These changes will contribute to:

• More efficient use of space (m²) and better occupancy.
• Energy savings through less unnecessary heating, lighting and use of facilities, resulting in lower costs and CO₂ emissions.
• Cost savings through smart and more efficient deployment of reception, cleaning and facility staff.
• Uniform opening hours for greater clarity and simplicity.

This approach supports the sustainability principles for the design and use of the campus and contributes to manageable business operations.

Periods of low occupancy

The pilot investigates how building opening hours can be better aligned with actual usage. The focus is on periods when buildings have a low occupancy rate: holiday periods and structurally quiet moments in regular weeks.

1. Holiday periods
   During the summer holidays and around the end of the year, many employees take leave and there is little teaching. The buildings on campus are then under-occupied. The pilot project is investigating which buildings or parts of buildings can be temporarily closed or have limited opening hours during the summer and Christmas holidays without hindering teaching or research.
2. Quiet periods during regular weeks
   Even outside of holiday periods, there are structurally quiet periods, such as Friday evenings and weekends. Using usage data and occupancy analyses, the pilot project is investigating which adjustments to regular opening hours are possible in order to use energy and resources more efficiently.

Customization

For education, research or other important activities that continue, buildings remain accessible through customised solutions. This means, for example, that certain entrances remain open, access is possible via staff or student cards, specific workplaces or laboratories remain available, or that temporary alternative spaces are set up in other buildings on campus.
In this way, education and research can continue even if parts of a building are temporarily closed, without compromising the quality or continuity of activities.

Guiding principles

The pilot follows a number of starting points that help to use buildings efficiently without restricting education or research. These principles ensure that the campus remains safe, welcoming and easily accessible for everyone.

1. Education and research continue unhindered as much as possible
   Education and research must be able to continue unhindered. Where necessary, parts of buildings will remain open or alternatives will be organised.
2. Students, staff and visitors feel welcome on campus
   Buildings with facilities such as study areas, sports & culture and catering facilities will maintain their own opening hours.
3. There will always be sufficient (study) workspaces
   Even during quiet periods, sufficient (study) workspaces will remain available. Where possible, workspaces will be concentrated in specific buildings.
4. Data-driven and flexible
   Decisions about opening hours are based on actual usage data, occupancy analyses, user experiences and evaluations. Adjustments and revisions remain possible.

Duration and phasing

The pilot project Opening hours in line with usage will be carried out between September 2024 and the summer of 2026. The effects of energy consumption, costs and user experience will be evaluated regularly during the pilot period. Based on these results, a decision will be made on whether and how the adjusted opening hours will be implemented on a permanent basis.

The projects in the pilot go through various phases.

1. Analysis & inventory: collecting data on building usage, energy consumption and facilities.
2. Drawing up scenarios: proposals for adjusting opening hours.
3. Pilot implementation: testing scenarios during holiday periods, Friday evenings and weekends.
4. Evaluation & decision-making: measuring energy consumption, costs and user experiences and proposing a policy on opening hours.
5. Structural implementation: roll-out of definitive opening hours, with monitoring and adjustments.