The agreement symbolically concludes several years of effort and allows the university to continue the planned development of the area. Alongside accommodation designed primarily for students, early-career academics and researchers, plans also include a science and technology park. This will serve as a space for linking university research with its practical applications.
Masaryk University has a clear vision for the Bohunice site. “This is a strategically unique area where we have long sought synergies in education, research, healthcare and technological innovation – virtually unmatched in Central Europe on this scale. We have a clear concept for connecting affordable, high-quality housing for students and staff, public space, and the development of science and innovation into a single functional whole that will naturally build on the existing infrastructure of the Bohunice University Campus. The land swap is the result of several years of negotiations, and thanks to its well-designed concept it will be a significant step forward for the whole university,” says Rector Martin Bareš, who has championed the development of research infrastructure in the campus area.
The 13,443-square-metre parcel no. 1334/5, valued at CZK 207 million, lies between Kamenice and Netroufalky streets and directly adjoins the Bohunice University Campus and Brno University Hospital. The agreement was unanimously approved by the Brno City Council in early December and subsequently submitted to the city assembly. In exchange, Masaryk University will transfer some of the land it owns, including public spaces, forest land and roads, to the city and pay the remaining difference of just under CZK 150 million.
As part of broader cooperation with the City of Brno, the university has also entered into a partnership with the city-owned heating plant company Teplárny Brno, a.s. The collaboration focuses on developing sustainable energy supply for the area, including the possibility of pilot projects carried out jointly with the university.
“The land swap agreement with the City of Brno enables us to fulfil key development priorities of Masaryk University beyond the expansion of our accommodation capacity. We are creating conditions for our students to have affordable, high-quality and modern housing directly connected to the university campus and we are pleased to cooperate with the city in this strategic area,” says Bursar David Póč, who has long contributed to the development of projects around the Bohunice campus, including in his previous role as director of the MU Strategic Project 2021+.
The planned development includes halls of residence and community rental housing with a capacity of around 1,500 beds. These are intended primarily for students, but also for university staff, especially early-career academics, researchers and postdoctoral fellows. The project addresses the long-term lack of affordable housing, which remains a major obstacle to studying and working in Brno. Masaryk University plans to approach housing in a modern way, building community facilities complemented by shared public spaces. The second key component is a science and technology park designed to connect top-level university research with real-world applications.
The overall concept for development within the Bohunice University Campus has been carefully prepared over many years. “Once the preparatory steps are complete, we want to start construction as soon as possible. Our aim has always been to build modern infrastructure for world-class research. We have been successful in this systematic effort, opening new scientific centres and research facilities, and we now want to expand our accommodation capacity. However, for the university to fulfil its role fully, we must provide students and staff not only with facilities for research, but also with a place to live and spend their free time,” concluded Vice-Rector for Development, Legislation and IT Radim Polčák.