Ultuna: new neighbourhood for innovation, enterprise and housing

In recent years, Akademiska Hus and SLU have invested more than SEK 3 billion to transform Ultuna into a leading knowledge environment with state-of-the-art facilities. Now the bar is being raised further and new development plans for the area include opportunities to build over 100,000 square metres of new facilities and approximately 1,500 homes.



 “Ultuna has the potential to be something magnificent and unique. We’ve already built a completely new campus for SLU, which meets the highest international standard.At the same time, we’ve cleared many premises and land that can be converted for many purposes.Ultuna is a place where ideas are constantly evolving and contacts are made, where academia, industry and the public sector will benefit from one another and become even more successful,” says Peter Bohman, Regional Director at Akademiska Hus Uppsala Region.

In addition to SLU, the Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA) is also located in the area. Akademiska Hus also recently signed an agreement with Växa Sverige, a national organisation that provides services and support with a focus on dairy and meat production. Growth in the area is expected to occur both organically, as research at SLU is hived off into companies that are given opportunities to grow in Ultuna, and by mature companies moving to Ultuna to participate in the innovation environment and the research infrastructure that will be available through SLU and SVA. 

“In order to create a sustainable society, we need to apply our knowledge in companies and projects that drive this trend. SLU has a long tradition of pursuing education and research in collaboration with the community.Having the business community and other activities in physical proximity to the university campus will provide opportunities for new interdisciplinary collaborations. That’s why we’re investing in building a modern innovation environment for companies in Ultuna,” says Johan Schnürer, Vice-Chancellor for cooperation at SLU.

Opening the campus up for other activities will involve extensive property development with premises for businesses, retail trade and services, as well as enhanced communications infrastructure. First up in this venture is a business hotel with an adjacent incubator strategically located by the SLU campus. Efforts to complete the hotel are in full swing and the first tenant will move into the new premises in January next year. A business park is also planned for the area, along with an extensive expansion of housing that will make Ultuna a vibrant meeting place around the clock.

“We want to create an ecosystem comprising a variety of activities, which requires a varied local portfolio of facilities that meet changing needs over time. Access to housing is a competitive factor both for companies relocating to the area and for attracting researchers and students to SLU. All this can be done while preserving Ultuna’s unique park environment,” says Peter Bohman. 

• Campus development
• 24-timmarscampus
• Collaboration