Woidke and Plattner co-chair the task force established for this large-scale project, which met today for its fourth session at the Brandenburg State Chancellery in Potsdam. Following the recent restructuring of the state government, the Brandenburg State Office for Real Estate and Construction has moved from the Ministry of the Interior to the Ministry of Finance. As a result, Finance Minister Daniel Keller attended the task force meeting for the first time.
On June 2, 2025, the State of Brandenburg, the University of Potsdam, and the Hasso Plattner Foundation signed a Letter of Intent for the construction of the new Brauhausberg campus as well as the expansion of the Hasso Plattner Institute and the Digital Engineering Faculty jointly operated with the University of Potsdam at the Griebnitzsee campus.
Exactly one year after the signing of the Letter of Intent, public consultation on the draft development plan for Brauhausberg will begin on June 2, 2026. The results of the preferred urban planning concept developed for the design of the new campus will be presented in mid-June alongside the public consultation process already underway.
Details from the Fourth Task Force Meeting
Contractual framework
In recent months, the ideas outlined in the Letter of Intent have been reviewed and refined by all participating parties with respect to foundation law, public procurement law, and tax law. Key contractual agreements for the large-scale project are currently being finalized. As a supplement to the Letter of Intent, the Ministry of Finance and the Foundation are developing a framework document that will serve as the basis for the contracts. The agreements – including contracts for the acquisition of property – are expected to be finalized later this year.
A market consultation process completed last week has provided important guidance for the further development of Potsdam as a science and research hub. The process confirmed that no additional funding partners are involved. This clears the way for Brandenburg and the Hasso Plattner Foundation to quickly move ahead with the project’s strategic development.
Design of the Brauhausberg campus
From the three urban planning concepts initially presented to the public, a preferred concept has now been developed through a collaborative workshop process. The concept brings together the various requirements for the campus, including functionality, environmental considerations, open-space quality, and the integration of new and existing buildings. It will be presented to the public in June and is intended to serve as the basis for the future development plan, which is being prepared by the City of Potsdam and is expected to be adopted by the city council in 2027.
At the same time, a space and facilities program is being developed, along with a functional performance specification and a technical room planning framework for the Brauhausberg campus.
Reform of higher education law
Following an extensive consultation process, the reform of Brandenburg’s higher education legislation is now moving forward. Among other measures, appointment procedures for professorships at all public universities in the state are to be accelerated starting January 1, 2027, while student admissions procedures are to place even greater emphasis on individual qualifications. The reform also aims to provide universities with greater autonomy in the design of degree programs.
On March 31, the state cabinet approved the draft “Act to Strengthen the International Competitiveness of the Brandenburg Higher Education System,” introduced by Minister of Science Dr. Manja Schüle. The legislative reform is currently under discussion in the Brandenburg state parliament and is expected to be adopted before the summer recess.
Background
By expanding the HPI and the Digital Engineering Faculty, Brandenburg aims to make a significant contribution to the digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe. The Digital Engineering Faculty will develop additional master’s degree programs, international partnerships, and research priorities, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence.
To support this development, the Hasso Plattner Foundation plans to take over the buildings and sites at the Griebnitzsee campus currently used by the University of Potsdam. In return, the Foundation will provide the University of Potsdam with an additional campus at Brauhausberg.
The new Brauhausberg campus is designed to become a leading international center for research and teaching. At the same time, the University of Potsdam will continue investing in its campuses in Golm and Neues Palais. The goal is to create modern, innovative, and high-quality learning and research environments across the city.
Read the original German press release from the Brandenburg State Chancellery: https://brandenburg.de/sixcms/detail.php?gsid=brandenburg_06.c.904089.de