Ruut van Rossen

Who are you and what is your role in the Utrecht Science Park?

My name is Ruut and my role is to represent the university as the largest owner of this beautiful part of Utrecht, the Utrecht Science Park. I've been doing that for this area for over 25 years. You see a lot of changes in such a period of time and I have been involved in that as well. That's partly why a lot of people know me, because you often come into the picture when you've been around for so long. I am now wrapping up my work and retiring.

What has been your impact on the Utrecht Science Park, or even more broadly on the region?

I have worked on or been involved in many things that affect this area. In my role, I mainly try to put oil in the machine when things are going stiffly. For example, the construction of the P+R Utrecht Science Park was a large and complicated project, in which you look for collaborations between parties. Fitting the Princess Máxima Centre into the area was also complicated. The Princess Máxima Centre was an initiative by, at the time, unknown individuals. Many people questioned it, but in social terms it was a very interesting project.

Eventually, I joined the table on behalf of Utrecht University to think about the hospital's integration with the initiators. There was a lot of resistance from the surrounding area, because a lot of open space and greenery would disappear. My contribution mainly consisted of working together to find the best solution and learning to trust each other in that process. The directors make the final decision, but in the preliminary phases of such a project you have to search and consider with one another. That is my role and I have always enjoyed doing it.

Which project has stayed with you the most?

The tram, as the scale leap of HOV (High Quality Public Transport) and replacement of the buses. I have worked on that for 15 years. We had to deal with various issues, from engineering to lobbying. The project had to be designed in such a way that it could be realised on a location such as the Utrecht Science Park, with all the sensitive equipment, and without environmental hindrance.

Bert Coenen, then project director, said at the official finalisation of the project that "the tram wouldn't have started running if I hadn't been there." That's not true, of course, but it sounds great, nice and as if they needed me very much. As a representative of the area, I contributed to making the tram run. I had a process role in it and that is visible and necessary.

What opportunities and challenges have you seen with partners in the area?

The construction of the Princess Máxima Centre was a huge challenge. It was a dynamic time and I see the result as a great example when talking about the partners in this area.

What currently poses a challenge is the plan about 'turning around' UMC Utrecht in the future, partly because we naturally have to deal with surrounding buildings such as the Ronald McDonald house. We sat around the table with various parties and authorities and constructive discussions were achieved. On behalf of Utrecht University, I was the representative in these meetings. In the end, we came up with a unanimous proposal. Of course, this does not yet represent a design, but it did provide a direction for the development.

A collaboration between partners in an area often starts with a problem, but after that you have to move on and get things done.

What developments have you seen in the field of life sciences, health or sustainability and their impact within your organisation or your function?

Utrecht University worked on this area as a university centre, in the past very monofunctional. If you contrast that with what is happening now, with lots of interaction and collaborations in the Utrecht Science Park, as well as the arrival of many private R&D companies, there has been a big development.

The rise of R&D companies is substantive. This plays a big role in academia and the world of research, but not so much on the street. To the neutral visitor who walks around here, it's just a lot of buildings. We have always tried our best to make sure that newly established companies have something on display, including on the ground floor, so you can see from outside what is happening.

What I also find special is that we have gone from zero residents to a decent student population. You see a lot of people walking around, but it could be more. Mainly during summer holidays and weekends, it's pretty empty. Because of the large student population, you see a lot more of the area dynamics. So I think the residential function is very important for the colour of the area.

Do you see any differences or developments in the Utrecht Science Park in terms of sustainability?

It has become a serious agenda item in all organisations, including the University. If you see what is happening there and what successes have been achieved around sustainability, a lot has changed. Around the energy management of this area, Utrecht University has always played a central role. Although fossil fuel is still being put into the area, this will change more and more, for instance through the use of solar panels. In Bunnik, an agreement was recently signed to build a solar meadow. In addition, we have always experimented with using the soil to draw energy from and this is now common practice.

Some things only touch the margins for me, but I definitely see developments in sustainability emerging, for example circularity in building. I see from the attention colleagues pay to it that it is becoming of increasing importance.

At which organisation would you like to take a look behind the scenes?

Perhaps surprisingly, but at Sports Centre Olympos. I know a lot about the University, HU University of Applied Sciences and hospitals, but what things are like at Olympos I only know from the outside. A peek into the kitchen there does allure me, it's a completely different field.

Which street would you prefer to have named after you in the Utrecht Science Park?

A list was compiled in the 1960s, containing a number of names of university towns. From this list, a number of names were selected for this area. I have had the privilege of rolling out some of those street name proposals. So I know very well how street names are established, what the usual procedure is, so I am certainly not claiming a name for myself.

Do you have a wish or dream for this area?

The Utrecht Science Park is the tissue, surrounding it are estates, greenery and highways, among other things. The area therefore requires special care. My plea for this area would be; dear organisations, make sure you do not lose sight of the tissue and allow it to develop pleasantly.

The campus was built in the early 1960s and then grew into the largest Science Park in the Netherlands. A lot of things have been built, but sometimes maintenance is overlooked. That is a wish, though. All sorts of things are going on, but there should also be some kind of integrality in the area to maintain it.

Do you see that the cooperation with partners is growing?

In some periods things go well and more naturally, other periods with more difficulty. It is a wave motion. It depends on the people, the will of the people, the way you look at each other and the organisations.

On behalf of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, we would like to thank Ruut once again for everything he has meant for Utrecht Science Park and the pleasant cooperation. We wish Ruut a lot of fun and success with the retirement period ahead and everything else that comes his way.