Ohio University
IN-4: Innovation 4

Ohio University is undergoing a 6-year Capital Improvement Plan (2015-2020). Additionally, the University is in the midst of developing a Ridges Master Plan, Utilities Master Plan and University Master/Strategic Plan. All of these documents, coupled with the growth of and new administrative emphasis on the University Space Management and Planning Office has allowed for significant sustainable tenets to be incorporated into the institution's Smart Growth Principles. These planning documents and processes incorporate Smart Growth goals and strategies, including but not limited to: - Ensure that new growth and development meets multiple goals - Invest in infrastructure that allows for construction of a variety of building types, transportation choices, and campus landscape - Maintain and enhance the physical identity of the institution. - Use limited resources efficiently - Maximize investments - Capitalize on Private Partnerships - Facilitate relationships across the campus and with local community - Demonstrate that an institution can be a good steward of the social, natural, & built environment Such goals and strategies allow the institution to intelligently approach space needs, efficiencies and creative use of institutional property that all positively contribute to the sustainable building and design practices outlined by the Ohio University Sustainability Plan. "Smart Growth Principles" unique to Ohio University were adopted by the University Planning and Space Management Office in 2014. While the concept of "Smart Growth Principles" is relatively well known in the planning profession, the particular emphasis on sustainability that has been adopted by Ohio University is extremely unique and allows for potentially exceptional long-term outcomes on institutional planning processes.

Smart Growth Planning principles have allowed for a number of sustainable studies to be enacted on campus. Most recently, a space utilization study was enacted which allowed the institution to determine that the current "seat fill" rate for academic classrooms is at 62%. Such an analysis of space opportunities, needs, availability and projected growth will allow us to further determine how to adjust space utilization practices in a way that maximizes space efficiencies without requiring an increase in the acquisition of Net Assignable Square Footage on campus. This will allow us to better manage institutional resources and remove redundancies in a sustainable manner while, simultaneously, addressing the University's important role in mitigating climate change.

The URL provided offers a sample of how Smart Growth Practices are being employed at the University.