From Ownership to Efficiency: Rethinking University Spaces in France and Germany

France faces the challenge of university real estate autonomy. Feedback from the Inspectorate General's audits
Since 2007, French universities can request ownership of their real estate, subject to a positive audit by the Inspectorate General. These audits assess the assets’ condition, real estate governance, and financial sustainability. Several transfer waves took place (notably in 2011, 2019, and from 2023). The presentation will review the status of audited universities, outline key organizational models, and draw lessons for future challenges. It will also highlight critical success factors for effective real estate strategy and governance, as a component of institutional autonomy, and conclude with the broader implications of property ownership on institutional positioning and funding.

Space sufficiency in German Higher Education HIS Institut for Higher Education Development e.V.
Space sufficiency in German Higher Education What sufficiency strategies are being pursued to lower CO2-Emissions und deal with funding cuts can be observed in German Higher Ed? How are utilization rates? Which conclusions can be drawn from empirical findings and what are the experiences with the first implementation steps in Germany?