One of the corner stones of the CCI project is that of the
transformation of the campus and the creation of new facilities. The aim here is to improve and strengthen the spaces and services available to the university community in order to promote quality in teaching and to seek excellence in research.
With this in mind, the CIC has devised three programmes that focus, respectively, on the adaptation of the university centres to the teaching requirements laid out by the EHEA; the teaching provision for the renewal of computer systems, multimedia rooms and laboratories and the scientific-technological infrastructure. This last one has provided not only 2.5 million € in financing for 12 projects to be undertaken, but also 300,00€ for there to be a facility for those researchers coming from the Augusto González de Linares programme for the Attraction of International Talent.
The transformation of the university space is progressing under the “Las Llamas Campus Master Plan”, in coordination with the Santander City Council, which has granted the UC 53,000 square metres to this end. In addition, the Council has carried out a number of works and plans to provide such things as a bicycle rental service, TusBic, a cycle lane running along Avenida de los Castros, a central reservation for the same road, the bridge connecting the university with the Sardinero dual carriageway, and the “Escenario Santander”, an open air stage. The “Las Llamas Campus Special Development Plan” has been contracted, having being included in the revised General Plan for Urban Development in Santander (in process).
Of the works carried out, what stands out is the building of the Three Towers Complex or Student House, which is due to open in 2011. Budgeted at 7.5million €, 6,500 square metres will become available for use. In this complex can be found some of the new spaces planned under the “Project for Social Learning Spaces in the UC”. Furthermore, the CIC is progressing with the building of the new “Juan de la Cosa” Hall of Residence, the execution plan for which has already been drawn up. It is to be a three-storey building providing accommodation for 180 people and for which the City Council has signed the release of the old Juan de la Cosa Hall of Residence land rights for a 4,400 square metre plot.
Expansion of the communications network has made it possible for the entire network infrastructure to migrate to high capacity new technology, optimizing participation in both national and international research projects that require advanced communications services. This has required an investment of over 1 million €.
There has also been a re-planning of spaces on the Torrelavega campus. In May 2010 the ‘Gimbernat Cantabria’ School of Physiotherapy building was officially opened, its construction the result of a 7 million Euros investment. At present the University Housing Programme is also going ahead; this programme, based on the working agreement it has with the Government of Cantabria, aims to provide university accommodation for 40 people in 2012.