Rectorate car park becomes bicycle parkingThe car park next to the Rectorate will be demolished from June 2025 and transformed into bicycle parking with nearly 1,000 spaces and more greenery.
The car park next to the Rectorate will be demolished from June 2025 and transformed into bicycle parking with nearly 1,000 spaces and more greenery.
Why is the car park disappearing?
The car park at the Rectorate was used by Ghent University staff and visitors. Due to concrete corrosion, the parking structure has become unsafe and must be demolished. The entire parking facility (ground floor to level -2) will be removed and replaced with a new bicycle parking.
The number of car parking spaces will be reduced from 192 to 106. Only the car parking spaces under the Ufo will remain, and eight loading and unloading bays for cars will be created along the waterfront.
Ghent University has deliberately chosen not to construct a large new car park in the city centre. This aligns with our strategic plans: the future plan for campuses in Ghent by 2050, the sustainability framework, and Ghent University’s mobility policy, which has adopted a car-reducing parking approach since 2021. For example, staff living within a 5 km radius no longer automatically receive parking rights.
In its place, a new bicycle parking will be built, offering space for nearly 1,000 bicycles. This will eventually make the bicycle racks at the student square and in Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat redundant, freeing up more space in the area.
What will the new bicycle parking look like?
The new facility will accommodate a total of 939 bicycles and cargo bikes: 653 open spaces for students and visitors, and 286 spaces for staff in a secured area.
A bicycle ramp will be built on the Rectorate side, providing access to the bicycle parking and connecting Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat with the Scheldekade 12 metres below.
A large atrium of 400 m² will bring daylight into the bicycle parking and allow for greening of the surrounding area.
Via the ramp near the Technicum and the Ufo terrace, the facility will be connected to the De Brug student restaurant. The area between the Ufo and De Brug will be redeveloped at the same time into an inviting student square.
How long will the works last?
The Rectorate car park and entrance will be out of service for four years: in 2025 and 2026 during the construction of the bicycle parking, and continuing until early 2029 during the renovation of the Rectorate.
Noisy construction work will be paused during exam periods.
The new bicycle parking, with enclosed parking for staff, will open in early 2027.
Where can visitors and staff park during the works?
The parking at the Rectorate and Ufo is no longer accessible by car or bicycle.
The entrance at Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25 will remain accessible only to pedestrians, emergency services, and construction traffic.
Last update: 27 November 2025
For employees of the Rectorate and Ufo, additional workspaces are available in Campus Aula, Korte Meer 11. You can enter with your staff badge (Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7.30 p.m., except on public holidays) and there are several bicycle parking facilities available.
Bike parking?
Use nearby public bicycle parking facilities:
Vooruit (372 covered spaces)
De Krook (542 covered spaces)
In Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat
In front of building T2 (on the slope between the student square and Technicum)
Enclosed bicycle parking for employees:
Two enclosed areas will be provided for all bikes, including for cargo bikes, longtails, ...:
Vooruit: on floor -2, a section will be demarcated with a fence and a gate that you can open with the same key as in former bike parking Ufo. Between 7am and 6pm this area is exclusively for Ghent University staff, outside these hours the gate is open to everyone.
In vacant building T2bis: Ghent University staff can open the door of this bicycle shed with the same key as in the former bicycle parking Ufo. The building can be found at the bottom of the white stairwell next to Technicum 2. You can reach this building by bike from the Scheldekaai: ride in between T1 and T3 and then up the slope between T2 and T3.
Service bikes for employees:
Service bicycles can be found at the quay in the locked bicycle shed of Technicum 1 (on floor -4). Booking and collecting a key can still be done at the reception desk of the Rectorate.
There will be parking spaces for less mobile persons:
2 parking spaces at the rear of the Rectorate
1 parking space at the bottom of the white stairwell next to T2. This space can be reached from the Scheldekaai: enter between T1 and T3 and then drive up the slope between T2 and T3.
1 parking space next to the Therminal
On the public domain, there are two spaces at the top of Bagattenstraat and an application is pending for a parking space near Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 51 (Student Centre entrance).
For staff:
For electric cars, there is one charging station next to the Therminal and there are two charging stations in Tweekerken. Please only occupy this car park for charging itself and move your car afterwards.
10 service cars will be in the parking lane outside parking Campus Tweekerken. Keys will remain available at the Rectorate reception desk.
A limited number of alternative parking spaces will be made available in the car parks of Campus Tweekerken and Campus Kantienberg. Employees with a space in parking Tweekerken also have access to parking Kantienberg, so they can move out if parking Tweekerken is full.
Only Ghent University staff members are eligible to apply, provided they have a fixed workplace near Campus Ufo and live more than 5 km away from their workplace by bike. In very exceptional cases, deviations from this rule may be considered, with valid justification (e.g. a mobility impairment or frequent work-related travel over 5 km). Ghent University staff can submit their application via this link.
Campus Kantienberg car park Entrance via Benedictijnenstraat, exit via Kantienberg
Mobility and commuting: your options
Would you like to apply for a bicycle or public transport reimbursement? Looking to hire a bike through Fietsambassade? ...
Find more information on the intranet.
Where can deliveries be made during the works?
During construction of the bicycle parking, deliveries to the Rectorate are limited. The entrance at Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25 remains accessible only to pedestrians, emergency services, and site traffic.
Only small deliveries can still be made to the Rectorate reception. Delivery vehicles can temporarily stop in Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat. Large deliveries (on pallets) are not possible.
To avoid incorrect deliveries, it is essential to remind suppliers that deliveries must be made to the delivery address, not the billing address.
More about Campus Ufo: building projects
After the car park works, the Rectorate will undergo a full renovation.
Campus Ufo will also see the creation of a new student centre and student square, and building T4 will be repurposed.
