New Erasmus MC Campus merges with healthy and green living environment

Erasmus MC is getting a new campus. This campus will be a lively place where healthcare, technology and entrepreneurship come together and find space in (new) buildings.

Healthcare organizations, innovative companies in the field of health and technology, educational and research institutions will work together here in the future to put the latest technological developments into practice. This is contained in the Master Plan 2050 for the Erasmus MC Campus, which was recently adopted by the Municipal Executive.

The campus forms a close-knit community in which scientists, students and educators share talent, knowledge and expertise. Dean and Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of Erasmus MC Stefan Sleijfer: "To achieve further progress in healthcare, it is necessary for various healthcare parties, researchers from different fields of expertise and entrepreneurs to work together intensively. The campus will be a place where that is possible, contributing to further improvement in care for individual patients and to the health of our population."

"This is more than just a hospital expansion. A complete piece of city will be added, with urban facilities and high-quality employment, embedded in a green and easily accessible environment," said Alderman for Building and Housing Bas Kurvers.

The arrival of the campus will transform Erasmus MC into a location with inviting entrances on all sides, lively green squares and pleasant walking routes. There will be a stronger connection with the surrounding city areas. In the future, the current publicly accessible passage through the hospital will be connected to a pedestrian route to Coolhaven Park near the Little C district of the city. This will allow pedestrians to walk directly from Little C to Museumpark.

The development of the campus is already underway, but will gain momentum from 2024 with the start of new construction projects and the commissioning of a gathering building for start-ups, among other things. First to start is the transformation of the buildings on the 's-Gravendijkwal and Westzeedijk sides. The outdated buildings on the 's-Gravendijkwal, including the old Dijkzigt hospital and the former nurses' flat, will make way for locations for external care, research and educational parties. There is room for an expansion of about 361,000 m2 in the new campus. The first new buildings will be ready in 2027.

For an optimal connection between the Erasmus MC Campus and the surrounding parts of the city, adjustments to the road and traffic network are necessary. Good accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians, but also for cars, is the starting point. There will be a new parking garage on the west side of Erasmus MC, with an exit to the 's-Gravendijkwal. The new Daniel den Hoed bridge will form the link between Little C with the Daniel Den Hoed Family House and the future square at Erasmus MC. Another wish is a high-quality public transport connection (HOV) between Rotterdam Central Station and Zuidplein, with a stop on the 's-Gravendijkwal, close to Erasmus MC.    

The development of the campus will take place in phases. First it will be the zone along the 's-Gravendijkwal. This will be followed by the side along the Westzeedijk, and finally - around 2040 - the area along Museumpark.
The new building will have a green environment. Sustainability will have an important place in the development. Think of green roofs and roof terraces, water storage for rainwater collection and energy-neutral buildings. With these facilities
the campus contributes to a healthy and green living environment.

The Master Plan is a future outline vision for the development of the Erasmus MC Campus. The Master Plan contains the ambition, the possibilities and the preconditions that the municipality and Erasmus MC see for a sustainable development. In the coming period, Erasmus MC and the municipality will further elaborate the plans.

The content of the Erasmus MC Campus will be further developed by the 'Rotterdam Square', a foundation that will build an innovative ecosystem on the campus. For example, the foundation will draw national and international attention to the Erasmus MC Campus, organize events and conduct acquisition for potential entrants.