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Sustainability at our universityTHGA - a fount of sustainable knowledge

As the oldest university in Bochum, THGA faces special challenges in the sustainable transformation of the campus - the historic buildings and long-established structures are just some of them. At the same time, the university's central location close to Bochum's city centre offers great opportunities to actively involve the urban community in the transformation process. After all, sustainable campus life should be more than just carbon-neutral. It is important to take all resources into account, including the personal commitment of each individual. In this way, our 123-year-old campus can become a place of encounter that offers students space to learn about the topic of sustainability; where scientists implement future-oriented projects; where employees practise sustainability in their everyday working lives, and where the broad urban society comes together with all university members to develop new ideas for the future of Bochum.

The Green Campus has established THGA as a fount of sustainable knowledge in the neighbourhood of the northern city centre. The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals play a decisive role in the planning. Construction measures are implemented in such a way that they are carbon-neutral and improve the micro-climate of the neighbourhood. Green roofs, unsealed areas and newly planted trees create health-promoting study and working conditions. And, together with the partners from UniverCity Bochum, THGA will launch a broad range of further education courses on the topic of sustainability, in order to also integrate the idea of lifelong learning.

Member of a sustainable network

Since April 2022 THGA has been a member of DG HochN, the German society for sustainability at universities. DG HochN supports both universities and individuals who want to support sustainable development at universities and use science to help reaching the UN's sustainable development goals (SDG). The mutual aim is to facilitate a rich exchange between many German universities so they can learn more about sustainability and benefit from the experiences other universities made.

Sustainability projects at THGA

The "insect hotel" at Georg-Agricola-Weg replaces a small part of the lost habitat of ladybirds, bumblebees and such, supporting the ecological balance.
The "insect hotel" at Georg-Agricola-Weg replaces a small part of the lost habitat of ladybirds, bumblebees and such, supporting the ecological balance.
The "Sensebox" on the roof of the university provides weather data, such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, illuminance or the UV index, to the minute. The measuring technology also records the fine dust pollution high above Herner Straße or the noise level.
The "Sensebox" on the roof of the university provides weather data, such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, illuminance or the UV index, to the minute. The measuring technology also records the fine dust pollution high above Herner Straße or the noise level.
The print banners along Nordring were sprayed using a sustainable nano-coating that significantly reduces the amount of pollutants in the banners' ambient air.
The print banners along Nordring were sprayed using a sustainable nano-coating that significantly reduces the amount of pollutants in the banners' ambient air.
We did a summer school, and during this interdisciplinary event the participants developed their own ideas on the topics of sustainability and resource efficiency.
We did a summer school, and during this interdisciplinary event the participants developed their own ideas on the topics of sustainability and resource efficiency.
The "re|invent" summer school offers participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge on the topic of sustainability and to apply it in practical projects. Based on diverse inputs, ideas are developed and put into practice.
The "re|invent" summer school offers participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge on the topic of sustainability and to apply it in practical projects. Based on diverse inputs, ideas are developed and put into practice.
In cooperation with our local utilities, Stadtwerke Bochum, two charging points were installed at THGA. They make it possible to charge e-vehicles with green electricity from hydropower.
In cooperation with our local utilities, Stadtwerke Bochum, two charging points were installed at THGA. They make it possible to charge e-vehicles with green electricity from hydropower.

Tips on saving energy

  • Switch off the lighting if your workplace has sufficient daylight.
  • Switch off the lighting when you are not using the room or when you leave it for a longer period of time.
  • Only switch on the lighting when it is needed. This also applies to a multi-level lighting circuit.
  • Use the energy-saving mode of your appliances and switch them off after use. Stand-by modes should be avoided.
  • After charging is complete, please disconnect mains adapters and chargers from the mains.

  • Turn down the heating when you open the windows for ventilation.
  • When ventilating, limit yourself to intermittent ventilation of max. 10 minutes, avoid the permanent tilt position of windows.
  • A thermostat setting of level 2.5 is sufficient to achieve a room temperature of 19°C.
  • Regulate the thermostat valves back to the frost position (*) if you are away from your place for several days.
  • The radiators should not be obstructed by furniture to ensure optimum heat emission.

  • If available, use the shading devices of the rooms to keep the cooling load as low as possible.
  • Switch off the cooling systems and the ventilation when the rooms are not in use and only switch them on again shortly before use.
  • Do not use the cooling systems in workrooms until a constant room temperature of 26°C or higher is reached.
  • The room air should not be cooled down further than 25°C.