The midterm certification of DTU Science Park’s business district in Hørsholm has now been completed, marking two out of three milestones on the road to full certification. The final certification is expected to be completed within the next two years, making DTU Science Park the first DGNB-certified business district in Denmark.
Faster Than Usual
DTU Science Park achieved midterm certification in just 1.5 years through a focused, structured approach that included documentation, stakeholder engagement, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. For many other districts pursuing certification, this process can take several years.
DGNB giver virksomheder i DTU Science Park konkrete udbytter
For companies based in the district, the certification means they can document their location in a DGNB Gold-certified business district and actively use it in their own communications. Relevant data is also made available, making it easier for companies to engage with ESG reporting and communication across operations, transportation, biodiversity, and climate initiatives.
What is DGNB?
What Is DGNB?
DGNB is one of Europe’s most ambitious sustainability certification systems for buildings and urban districts. It serves as a practical management framework that documents structured sustainability efforts across 27 criteria and approximately 350 indicators — covering everything from mobility and climate adaptation to collaboration processes and building life cycles.
It measures quality across five key areas
- Environmental quality
- Economic quality
- Social quality
- Process quality
- Technical quality
Company in DTU Science Park: “We can’t do everything ourselves – But DTU Science Park can”
At Breye Therapeutics, based in DTU Science Park, the team sees clear value in the DGNB initiatives, particularly for ESG reporting to investors, grant applications, and potential new investors. For Breye, it is especially valuable to document measures such as the share of renewable energy in the area. More broadly, many initiatives supporting the “E” in ESG are beyond the company’s capacity to implement on its own, including waste management solutions and biodiversity protection efforts across the district. The company also benefits from the social initiatives driven by DTU Science Park, as Breye itself lacks the resources to launch larger initiatives related to the “S” in ESG.
We use DTU Science Park’s Summer Festival to bring the entire Breye team together and thank everyone for their efforts. Daily, we also make use of the surrounding nature for breaks and short professional discussions. We even have an employee from the UK who is now considering borrowing an e-bike to travel between the hotel and the office instead of taking taxis after hearing about the area’s mobility initiatives.
Louise Borrit
Head of ESG, HR, and Finance at Breye
The area encourages exercise and fresh air during the workday
At MedTrace, another company based in DTU Science Park, the surroundings have inspired more social and health-promoting activities in the workplace. For several years, MedTrace organized weekly running and walking groups, and the company is now considering launching a cycling club. Walk-and-talk meetings are also a natural part of everyday work life thanks to the green surroundings.
“We love the area around the Malus collection, where there’s a small lake you can walk around, along with beautiful benches and swings where you can sit and hold meetings,” says Heidi Freytag, Executive Assistant and Office Manager at MedTrace.
The DGNB Certification is visible throughout the district
The work behind the certification is reflected in a wide range of concrete initiatives, including:
- 24 publicly accessible EV charging stations
- Three mobility hubs with shared mobility solutions, as well as upgrades to most bus stops in the district
- Improvements for pedestrians and cyclists
- Targeted rainwater management and retention measures
- Shared waste management solutions with sorting beyond legal requirements
- Development of green spaces and outdoor common areas
- A systematic approach to operations and supplier collaboration
- Opportunities to participate in themed networking activities
- Friday social gatherings and free breakfast once a month
- A strong focus on biodiversity and the protection of local wildlife
With the midterm certification now completed, companies in the district can expect the final certification to be achieved by 2027.
The certification has been issued by Rådet for Bæredygtigt Byggeri, with Rambøll Danmark serving as DGNB auditor.
