Car-Free University Day at the BTU

We are pleased to announce that the BTU will participate again this year in the Germany-wide Car-Free University Day on June 20, 2023, to draw attention to the relevance of climate-neutral, environmentally friendly and socially just mobility. For this purpose, a part of the main campus of the BTU will be marked as largely car-free for the first time on Tuesday, 20.06.23. Accompanying the event, a market of opportunities will take place from 11:00 - 14:00 in front of the interim refectory. A raffle will entice with prizes for all who give up their cars on this day.

Here's how easy it is to participate: Arrive car-free, fill out flyer & win prizes!

If you come to the university on this day by bike, public transport or on foot, you will not only protect the climate, but you can also win great prizes! All you have to do is the following:

1. Come to the university on that day by bike, public transport or on foot.
2. Fill out one of our flyers and hand it in at the Market of Opportunities (11-14 h)
3. With a little luck, win a great prize in the raffle!

Market of Opportunities

The "Market of Possibilities" will take place from 11 am to 2 pm in front of the Interim Dining Hall at Fablab. Besides the raffle with great prizes for all those who came without a car, there will be the following program:

• Swap market "Gather & Give"
• pop-up bike self-repair
• Vegan appetizers + recipes
• Traffic police with bicycle coding, goggles course & e-scooter test rides
• Overview & display wall of sustainable groups: What's missing at the university and in the region?
• Feedback booth for the Car Free University Day
• Information booths and hands-on activities by ADFC, VCD, Stupa, Green University Group, Ag Fahrradfreundliche Uni, FabLab and Environmental Group Cottbus
• Beverage stand + music by FSR
• Sustainable snack vending machine

Car-free main campus for one day - How will this work?

We ask you to arrive at the main campus on foot, by bike or by public transport on this day. If this is not possible, we encourage you to find parking outside of the affected area for that day.

Which part of the main campus is affected?

For the day, at the three entry points (Siemens-Halske-Ring/Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee, Universitätsstrasse/Friedlieb-Runge-Strasse, Karl-Marx-Strasse/Konrad-Zuse-Strasse), half-way markings will now be set up on the streets to draw attention to the goal of the car-free campus. Transit will still be allowed for deliveries, firefighters, mobility impaired, and people who cannot give up their parking on this part of the main campus that day. Come talk with the helpers at the driveways and join all those who support the car-free campus action. By doing so, you are setting an example for sustainability and environmental protection.

To date, a wide variety of comments and reactions have been received regarding the Car-Free Campus Day campaign. Many thanks for this. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Market of Possibilities, you will have the opportunity to describe and discuss all of your suggestions and comments regarding the campaign and the traffic situation at the BTU, in the city, and on the way to work or to your studies. We will be collecting all feedback in order to discuss necessary traffic policy measures in the future (e.g., expansion of public transportation, especially in rural areas) and to better anchor the BTU in the region with means of transportation that are alternative to car traffic.

Help wanted!

If you would like to help out with the Car-Free University Day at the BTU (e.g., by working a shift at the entrance or selling coffee) or if you have any other ideas for the Market of Possibilities, please send an e-mail to: luisa.stuhr(at)b-tu.de.

The Car-Free University Day is the largest nationwide transport policy campaign and we are happy to strengthen the topic as an important part of sustainability at our university as well.