Important Step for One of Europe's Largest Research Campuses

The cabinet of the NRW state government gave the green light to sell the large property to RWTH Aachen. The second stage of RWTH Aachen Campus, Campus West, can now take shape on the grounds surrounding Aachen West Train Station. This offers RWTH the possibility to develop and settle further research topics in research clusters. "Today, the State cleary the way for one of the largest research projects in Europe," says Lutz Leinenkämper, finance minister of the State of NRW. "This is a real breakthrough for the city of Aachen and its renowned university. It is important to the State that construction begins on Campus West as soon as possible once the planning phase is completed.

The decision of the state government, which included the sale of Campus West as one of its own duties in its supplemental budget in 2017, has made it legally possible for RWTH to acquire the property, which is still currently owned by the NRW Construction and Real Estate Agency BLB. "We wholeheartedly welcome this decision. It is an important step, demonstrating the dynamic the development of Campus West is taking on," says RWTH Chancellor Manfred Nettekoven. The possible purchase price will be determined by a neutral valuation. The result is expected by the end of the year.

Campus West is to become the central research park for innovation, mobility, and information and communication technology. The areal is dedicated to all scientific purposes. The city of Aachen expressly supports this development. "We are happy that the next step has been taken in this project important to Aachen. The city and its partners will support the development of Campus West to the best of their abilities," expressed Lord Mayor Marcel Philipp.