The four sub-projects

The survey of the utilisation of lecture halls (> 72 seats) in 2015/2016 was conducted ten years ago and is incomplete.
In addition, new teaching and learning methods have changed the requirements for classrooms, meaning that no valid conclusions can be drawn from past measurements at this point in time.

As part of the current project, first WLAN measurements (with additional manual spot checks to determine the measurement error range) were therefore carried out in the 2025/2026 academic year in order to be able to make statements about the utilisation of classrooms. The WLAN data proved to be too inaccurate. Ultimately, so-called people counters were identified as an alternative and more accurate method of measurement. People counters will be used to measure all relevant classrooms on a long-term basis. In addition, existing data sources (including the reservation system in KSL) will be used to check the reliability of the data, identify any patterns and define possible control measures.

Laboratory space is scarce and new space is needed. The pressure is high and jeopardises the reputation of the University of Bern among researchers as well as its competitiveness in terms of third-party funding. However, little is known about how to determine capacity utilisation and there is a lack of best practice examples.
The first phase of the project aims to remedy this deficit so that reliable data can soon be used to provide information on laboratory space utilisation. This part of the project is particularly important because the canton has commissioned the university to measure laboratory utilisation. In addition, the space requirements are considerable and the duration of the implementation of any measures requires long-term planning.

Since 2019, cameras have been used at the entrances of individual locations of the University Library of Bern (UB) to measure the number of people entering and leaving, and this data is used to generate an occupancy traffic light system. However, the figures are sometimes inaccurate because the cameras have difficulty correctly recording individual people when several are entering or leaving at the same time, especially during exam periods.

There is also a need for a tool that not only shows the approximate occupancy rate, but also the number of study spaces that are actually available. In addition, the measurement should be extended to other locations so that students can see where they can find available spaces.
Further objectives include adapting the offering to meet demand, where necessary, and making it easier for students to find these study spaces, similar to the Central and University Library of Lucerne (see Rauminfo ZHB, available in German only).

Workplace utilisation can be statistically verified by comparing the main usable floor space (MUA) with full-time equivalents (FTE). These figures are available and show that, overall, the University of Bern has too little space available, with an uneven distribution of main usable floor space across the organisational units.

Initial findings regarding meeting rooms at Hochschulstrasse 6 have shown that these are generally too large and that there is a high demand for smaller meeting rooms. When measuring the utilisation of meeting rooms, the aim is therefore to compare the actual occupancy of the meeting rooms with the maximum capacity of the rooms in order to determine how many small, medium and large meeting rooms would best meet the demand.

In accordance with the project committee’s decision of March 2026, this sub-project will focus on meeting rooms, and workspaces will not be measured for the time being. Measurements of workspaces are currently being omitted due to significant overlap with the project "büroUNIversum".