Sustainability at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam

Radfahrerin auf dem FHP Campus im Frühling
© Andrea Vollmer

Higher education institutions make a significant contribution to tackling environmental and social challenges. The University of Applied Sciences Potsdam embeds sustainability as a cross-cutting priority in teaching, research, knowledge and technology transfer and university operations.

Mission Statement on Sustainable Development

The University of Applied Sciences Potsdam is committed to help shaping the world of tomorrow. Through teaching, research, knowledge and technology transfer, as well as our own university operations, we contribute to the sustainable development of society. Environmental and climate protection, the promotion of democracy and participation are central components of this. The FHP is committed to contributing to the achievement of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Teaching

As a university of applied sciences, our greatest strength lies in teaching. We empower our students to play an active role in shaping social, digital and construction-related transformation processes. To this end, we teach key skills such as systemic thinking and embed knowledge of sustainability both as a cross-cutting theme and within specific disciplines. The FHP’s particular strength lies in the diversity and specialisation of its disciplines, including many unique degree programmes. This diversity gives rise to a wide range of disciplinary approaches to sustainability, including areas such as sustainable materials, adaptive reuse and building conservation, circular design, and open and socially just societies. A particular potential lies in the connections between disciplines, fostered by the close proximity of departments on campus and by academic expertise that connects across fields. The Teaching Mission Statement provides the strategic framework for these objectives.

Research and Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Through research and knowledge and technology transfer, we address social, digital and construction-related challenges in a practice-oriented manner. Together with partners from local government, industry, and civil society, we apply scientific findings in the Brandenburg region and beyond. Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research brings together perspectives from design, engineering and the social sciences, enabling us to develop solutions to complex challenges. Our focus is on sustainable construction, materials and social innovation.

Campus and University Operations

We are shaping the campus and university operations in a sustainable manner: we use material resources responsibly, approach digitalisation in a resource-conscious way, and strive to continuously reduce our environmental impact. This includes a campus with limited car traffic, attractive public spaces, and plenty of green spaces. We take our social responsibility seriously, facilitate family-friendly working and studying conditions, and are committed to diversity, anti-discrimination and democratic decision-making processes. Our stance as a university sensitive to issues of discrimination is set out in the position paper on Diversity and Tolerance. The academic expertise of FHP researchers is incorporated into the further development of the campus.

Commitment to continuous improvement

We are committed to complying with all relevant environmental legal requirements and binding obligations, and we review this on a regular basis. Furthermore, we implement the provisions of the University Agreement and support the implementation of the Brandenburg Climate Plan and the ‘100% Climate Protection Potsdam 2050’ Master Plan. This includes achieving climate neutrality by 2045. The university aims to continuously improve its environmental performance and to gradually put the stated principles into practice through concrete measures.

Sustainability initiatives and projects at the FHP

Solar Pavilion
The Solar Pavilion, built to plans by the architectural firm Ortner und Ortner, serves as a platform for meetings, presentations and brainstorming. It is not only an interesting venue, but also generates energy through its electricity-generating façade, which the university can utilise.


Merchandise We also prioritise environmental friendliness in our promotional items and provide only pens and notepads made from recycled paper.

Energy resilience
The State of Brandenburg is investing in the sustainable strengthening of energy resilience at Brandenburg’s universities to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply even in crisis situations.

In 2024, with funding from the Brandenburg Package, the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam implemented the following measures to improve the energy resilience of its buildings.

  • Conversion to LED lighting in the main building, Building 4 and Building 5: reduction in energy consumption by lighting of at least 55%
  • Installation of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of Building 3 and the main building: on-site electricity generation, expected to yield 10 per cent of the FHP’s total electricity consumption

nextbike
All students at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam are entitled to three hours’ free use of nextbike hire bikes every day. Guidance on how to register is available from the AStA.

Public transport
All students receive a Germany Semester Ticket. All university staff are eligible for a subsidy towards the Germany or VBB Company Ticket. 

Avoiding short-haul flights
Many FHP researchers, as part of the Scientists4Future initiative, have committed to avoiding domestic flights within Germany and flights to neighbouring European countries, and to choosing climate-friendly alternatives.

Electric vehicle charging points
There are two charging points operated by Stadtwerke Potsdam in the FHP car park, each with two sockets for electric cars.

City Cycling
The FHP has been taking part in City Cycling since 2018. Together, we aim to clock up as many cycling kilometres as possible – to promote cycling, protect the climate and improve quality of life.

AStA
The issue of the environment is firmly enshrined in the AStA’s constitution and falls within the remit of the Health and Sustainability Department. On 12 March 2018, the AStA resolved to use, with immediate effect, only recycled paper with an ISO 70 whiteness rating and the Blue Angel label. This saves a great deal of resources and raises the profile of our commitment and environmental awareness. The AStA’s Health and Sustainability Department can be contacted at asta.gesundheit@fh-potsdam.de. 

Student collective "perspektiv;wechsel"
The perspektiv;wechsel collective consists of students from the Department of CITY | BUILDING | CULTURE and is committed to shaping architecture and cities from diverse perspectives. The collective organises lecture series, events and exhibitions on topics that are often neglected in the curriculum – such as intersectional feminism, social responsibility in the construction industry, inclusion, ecology and postcolonial perspectives.

Campus Garden
The idea originated in an InterFlex seminar during the winter semester 2015/2016. The aim of the seminar was to develop a detailed concept for a community garden to make the campus more vibrant, greener and more sustainable. Since then, students have been gardening alongside residents of Bornstedt, creating a green meeting place where vegetables are grown alongside wildflower meadows.

Partnership with the Virtual Academy for Sustainability
The FHP has been working in partnership with theVirtual Academy for Sustainability (VAN) at the University of Bremen for several years. Students on all FHP degree programmes can access the digital, asynchronous course offerings at any time, sit an exam twice a semester and receive recognition for their degree without any red tape withinthe FLEX elective module. 

Climate Semester 2020 – Utopias for the Present
In the summer semester of 2020, all lecturers and students at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam were called upon to focus their courses, projects and teaching activities on the theme: ‘Higher Education and Climate Change’.
Together, they examined the challenges posed by the climate crisis and developed transdisciplinary approaches and viable courses of action for the here and now. The results were showcased as part of the KLIMASCHAU in a digital exhibition at klimaschau.fh-potsdam.de and presented and discussed during an online live event on 17 July 2020.

Research Focus: Sustainable Design at the Department of Design
The Sustainable Design research focus examines the role that interface and interaction design can play in the development of sustainable products and services. This is not only about designing more energy-efficient products, but also about raising awareness and exploring whether design can be used to bring about a change in user behaviour. The Eco-Challenge iPhone app, developed as part of the EcoViz project, was awarded the Clean Tech Media Award in 2011.

CMI.BA: Centre for Metropolitan Innovation in Bratislava
A pilot project for the environmentally and socially sustainable refurbishment of a building by the Nová Cvernovka Foundation in Bratislava, Slovakia. The aim of the research project is to develop a concept for the architecturally, socio-ecologically and energy-efficiently sustainable conversion of a former student hall of residence in Bratislava into a socio-cultural centre.

University of Applied Sciences Potsdam places a strategic emphasis on training experts in the field of sustainable construction. The focus is particularly on building renovation and refurbishment – because the most sustainable building is the one that already exists. With its degree programme in Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings (MEng), the FHP already offers an interdisciplinary degree programme with this focus.

A ‘Sustainable Construction’ study track is being established for degree programmes in the disciplines of Architecture and Urban Design, Civil Engineering, and Conservation and Restoration. To this end, three new professorial recruitment posts will be established: ‘Designing with Historic Structures and Materials’, ‘Conservation and Restoration of Wall Paintings ’ and ‘Resource-Conscious Building Structures ’. The aim is to impart practical and interdisciplinary knowledge on the sustainability transformation of the construction sector and to train urgently needed specialists for the energy transition.

The ‘Sustainable Construction’ lecture series has been jointly organised by the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and the Brandenburg Chamber of Architects since 2022.

Working Group on Sustainability at Brandenburg’s Universities and the Development of a Sustainability Strategy

The Higher Education Agreement 2024–2028 stipulates that the FHP is to develop a sustainability strategy and establish appropriate structures for its implementation. The strategy aims to systematically embed sustainability as a cross-cutting priority across all areas of the university’s operations and to further develop it. The sustainability strategy is being developed in close consultation with Brandenburg’s other seven state universities. The Working Group on Sustainability at Brandenburg’s Universities is supported by a Coordination Office at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development.

 

 

 

 

DG HochN (German Society for Sustainability at Universities)

University of Applied Sciences Potsdam is a member of DG HochN. As a nationwide network, the association promotes the exchange of experiences and best practice and strengthens cooperation between higher education institutions in the field of sustainable development.

Introduction of EMAS

University of Applied Sciences Potsdam will introduce an environmental management system in 2026 and is aiming for certification. The aim is to assess the university’s environmental impact systematically, continuously improve its environmental and climate protection activities, and systematically implement relevant environmental legislation. An annual environmental statement ensures transparency by documenting the university’s environmental performance, its targets and the measures implemented to achieve them, as well as the progress made. Regular validation by external environmental verifiers ensures compliance with EMAS standards.

Contact

Meike Ortmanns, M.A.

Sustainability Management Officer