Alnarp campus development

Today

Campus Alnarp is an academic center for education and research with a focus on landscape architecture, plant production, and forestry. It is an interdisciplinary environment with strong connections between theory and practice, an active student life, a modern agricultural landscape, with both outdoor and indoor research facilities. Alnarp is also a destination for the garden-interested public, but remains relatively unknown to the
wider public.

The inner campus is characterised by green spaces of high natural value and a historical environment with older, characterful buildings. The inner campus is surrounded by a larger-scale agricultural landscape, referred to in this plan as the “outer campus,” which is a crucial resource for the university’s research and education.

In the future

Campus Alnarp is located in Sweden’s most important region for agriculture, horticulture, and sustainable urban development, near major universities and with excellent future connections to Europe. SLU’s campus has great potential to contribute to society through research and education in climate-adapted agriculture, landscape design, healthy outdoor environments, and water management. Campus Alnarp can develop into a leading center in Northern Europe for knowledge on sustainable land use.

The campus is simultaneously facing several societal challenges. A declining population trend is increasing competition among higher education institutions. The pandemic and the changing security situation highlight the importance of crisis management and preparedness. Technological development and digitalization are changing how we study and work. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution demand increased
responsibility in sustainable development.

When the trains begin to stop in Alnarp in 2027, Alnarp will not only benefit from improved transportation but also experience changes in flow within the campus. A new entrance will be created in the west, and Sundsvägen
will be closed to car traffic at the tracks. The land area owned by Lomma Municipality will then have a station-adjacent location with potential for future development. The development of three operational nodes will shift flows northward and open up the historical environment to new uses.

A new vision and four goals have been formulated as part of the Campus Plan process:

Vision

Campus Alnarp - a green knowledge hub in a dynamic and learning landscape

Goals

Goal 1: Sustainable and dynamic campus - a long-term sustainable place
where education and research are strengthened through a consciously designed campus environment.

Goal 2: University environment in harmony - agricultural landscapes, park environments, and building stock form an excellent university environment in a valuable natural and cultural setting.

Goal 3: Meeting place for knowledge and innovation - an inspiring arena
for collaboration, learning, innovation, and sustainable development.

Goal 4: Attractive, vibrant, and safe campus - a welcoming place with functions and activities that enhance campus life.

Strategies

The vision and goals of the Campus Plan are realised through six development strategies:

Strategy 1: Future-proof the campus (Goals 1, 2, 3, 4)
Campus Alnarp must be developed with long-term sustainability and adaptability. Meeting future needs in education, research, and public benefit requires flexibility in land and resource use.

Strategy 2: Develop modern and inclusive environments for learning and research (Goals 1, 2, 3)
Functional, flexible, and inspiring environments promote learning, research, and creative exchange. By creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and encouraged—regardless of background or circumstance—the academic mission is strengthened.

Strategy 3: Preserve and develop agricultural landscape, parks, buildings, and natural and cultural values (Goals 2, 3, 4)
Campus’s unique identity as a historical and natural site is preserved and future-proofed through careful and deliberate development of its agricultural, park, and built environments.

Strategy 4: Highlight the campus as an inspiring and educational meeting place (Goals 3 and 4)
The campus is developed and made more visible to maintain and enhance its regional relevance and to promote SLU’s specific expertise beyond the university. Creating inspiring and welcoming meeting places encourages community and collaboration within the academy and with society at large.

Strategy 5: Improve accessibility and sustainable mobility (Goals 1, 2, 3, 4)
The campus is developed with a focus on sustainable mobility. Walking, cycling, and public transportation are prioritised and improved. It should be easy and accessible for everyone to navigate to and around the campus.

Strategy 6: Complement with functions and activities that contribute to an attractive, vibrant, and safe campus (Goals 3 and 4)
A thriving local economy and a developed range of services, housing, recreation, and social environments contribute to campus as an attractive whole.

The development proposals are linked to the strategies and specify how they can be implemented in the physical environment of Alnarp.

Buildings and infrastructure

Station area and western entrance
The areas east and west of the railway are developed as part of campus with a gateway square and clear identity.

Sundsvägen
Transformed from a rural road to a campus avenue focusing on water management and recreation. Improves connections between north and south campus.

Green structure and parks

Sustainable water management
A comprehensive solution ensures irrigation needs and stormwater management for both outer and inner campus.

Ecological corridors
The campus is developed as part of the surrounding landscape and connects to nearby vegetation structures.

Edge zone
Alnarp’s boundary is made visible through structures that promote biodiversity and mitigate noise impacts.

Sundsvägen between the railway and the sea
Preserved and developed as a pedestrian and cycling connection between Alnarp and the sea. The alley is maintained and improved.

Northern wetland
The northernmost part of campus is developed focusing on sustainable water management, linking inner and outer campus.

Alnarpsparken, Västerskog and Tor Nitzelius park
Long-term planning is ensured through maintenance and development plans.

The development proposals are linked to the strategies and specify how they can be implemented in the physical environment of Alnarp.

Buildings and infrastructure

Western Node
Developed as Alnarp’s hub for natural sciences, with strong links to the station area. Traffic and parking moved to Smedjevägen/Växtskyddsvägen.

North Western development area
Developed over time for housing, services, or other land uses that contribute to an attractive environment.

Central development area
Priority area for densification. Focus on businesses that complement and strengthen the campus or, if needed, facilities for SLU. The restaurant is being developed with an accessible entrance and a clearer connection
to Sundsvägen.

Northern development area
Densified with a focus on student housing and experimental areas for SLU.

Smedjevägen and eastern entrance
Road widened to handle increased traffic. The bus stop and surrounding area by Hovbeslagarskolan developed as a safe and visible entrance.

Southern entrance
Developed as a street space and entrance.

Green structure and parks

Plaskan area
Developed as a park, learning environment, and for enhanced water management. Transformed parking areas.

Pelousen extention
Developed with a focus on water management and green student initiatives.

After nearly 40 years of suspension, passenger trains have been stopping at Lomma station and other stations along the Lommabanan railway line since December 2020. Now, work continues developing Stage Two of the Lommabanan project, which includes train stops in both Alnarp and Flädie. These stations are expected to be completed by December 2027.

The Alnarp train station project includes the construction of two side platforms of 170 meters each, including platform equipment, as well as a pedestrian and bicycle tunnel under the railway with connecting stairs and ramps. The existing level crossing at Sundsvägen will be closed and removed.

A train station in Alnarp provides excellent opportunities for employees and students at SLU Alnarp to travel sustainably and also for visitors to the area. 

Read more about the expansion of the Lommabanan railway line on the websites of Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket). 

SLU's operations in Alnarp are expanding and in need of several business premises. These facilities should be representative of the activities conducted and reflect the sustainability profile of the LTV and S faculties. The plans for new/renovated facilities in Alnarp are based on three nodes that will create a clearer structure on the campus: Västra noden/the Western node (Vegetum-Horticum complex), Östra noden/the Eastern node (Alnarpsgården/Agricum) and slottet/the Castle.

A good, creative, and collaborative work environment for employees and students needs to be established. New facilities and buildings need to be well-integrated with the overall physical environment in Alnarp, including cultivation areas, landscape facilities, and more, in order to create the best conditions for research, teaching, and collaboration.

Starting in the autumn semester of 2024, five new outdoor learning environments will be available for booking for teaching at Campus Alnarp. These environments are open to all courses throughout the year and are part of a unique innovation project exploring how outdoor learning spaces can be designed to support planned learning activities.

Prototypes with Potential for Permanent Use

The learning environments have been designed and constructed by SLU students as prototypes using simple materials, with the aim that successful solutions may be made permanent after the two-year evaluation period. The prototypes may also be adjusted and modified during the evaluation period based on user feedback.

The five outdoor learning environments are:

• Terrace Nova
• Lignum
• Culina
• Alnarpsgården
• A mobile learning environment

Welcome to visit and help us evaluate

The learning environments are primarily intended for teaching, but if the space is available, visitors are also welcome to sit down and make use of them