Initial situation

The University of Bern has an extremely diverse spatial infrastructure in an inner-city context: office buildings, lecture hall centres, libraries, research laboratories, specialised clinics and institute buildings. The Building Development Office determines space requirements, manages planning and construction projects, and dynamically plans the allocation of space in the approximately 130 buildings that the Canton of Bern constructs and makes available to the University of Bern.

The University of Bern's need for highly equipped spaces (laboratories), office space and lecture halls will continue to grow in the coming years due to changes in research work, an increase in student numbers and occupational safety regulations.

However, the canton's financial situation has made it more difficult to acquire additional space. The Canton of Bern requires the university administration to provide fact-based evidence of occupancy and utilisation of existing university premises. A solution is therefore needed to measure space utilisation (and people flows) in compliance with data protection regulations, which can serve as a basis for planning and decision-making.