{"id":49912,"date":"2026-03-30T00:21:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T22:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/?post_type=blog&p=49912"},"modified":"2026-03-30T00:21:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T22:21:14","slug":"uz-gent-is-building-the-care-of-tomorrow-with-project-u","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/en\/news\/uz-gent-is-building-the-care-of-tomorrow-with-project-u\/","title":{"rendered":"UZ Gent is building the care of tomorrow with\u00a0Project U"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How do you transform a busy university hospital campus into a future\u2011proof, healthy and easily accessible care environment\u2014while care continues uninterrupted, every single day? With\u00a0Project U, Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent) has embarked on one of the largest transformation programmes in its history. Sweco is supporting the hospital with master planning, design and the preparation of this complex, large\u2011scale operation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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From a fragmented campus to a clear central heart<\/h2>\n

Over the decades, UZ Gent has grown organically, resulting in a campus that has become complex and difficult to navigate for patients, visitors and staff alike.\u00a0Project U\u00a0marks a decisive shift away from this fragmentation.<\/p>\n

At the heart of the renewal is a new central main building\u2014the future focal point of the campus\u2014constructed above a large underground car park. Around this new heart, UZ Gent is reorganising its care functions, logistics and energy supply into a coherent, future\u2011ready whole.<\/p>\n

The master plan is guided by clear principles, each with a direct impact on the experience of patients, visitors and staff.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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  1. A design that cares for everyone<\/strong>
    \nGenerous daylight, welcoming waiting areas, logical walking routes and clear sightlines create a more humane hospital environment. A large atrium at the centre of the new main building brings all circulation routes together.<\/li>\n
  2. A healthy, green campus<\/strong>
    \nBy moving parking underground, paved surfaces are reduced, allowing the campus to become greener, more climate\u2011resilient and more pleasant for everyone.<\/li>\n
  3. Easy access to the heart of the campus<\/strong>
    \nA new access tunnel, clear tram and car connections, and a temporary entrance that manages all traffic flows during construction ensure that the campus remains accessible\u2014even during the most intensive phases of the works.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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    Building the backbone first: utilities, parking and tram infrastructure<\/h2>\n

    A transformation of this scale does not begin with a landmark building. A series of preparatory projects is first required to make the campus ready for change.<\/p>\n