University of Alberta
PAE-3: Physical Campus Plan

Campus plans are the broad, large scale principles of planning that allow the sites and facilities to be placed in a context that underscores the University's strategic initiatives. CAPITAL PLAN The Capital Plan identifies the approved capital priorities of the University of Alberta that support the critical strategic and logistical needs of the institution as described in the University Plan and the Academic Plan. LONG RANGE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (LRDP) The LRDP provides the overall planning framework for development in the next 30 years, guiding physical growth at the five campus sites of the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The LRDP was approved by the Board of Governors in June 2002, and is formally administered by the President. The LRDP identifies a set of Strategic Planning Principles that form the basis for the achievement of the goals, objectives, and strategies expressed in the UAlberta Comprehensive Institutional Plan. The LRDP serves as an overarching guiding document for informing campus development; it is supported by several detailed administrative plans for various geographic sectors of the university. The LRDP meaningfully incorporates sustainability into the campus development process through its inclusion as one of the plan’s nine Strategic Planning Principles. Strategic Planning Principle #5 states: "The university will encourage and promote the precepts of smart growth and sustainability." (p.16) This objective is to be achieved through the implementation of the following corresponding strategic directions: - The university should use its physical assets to their optimum potential. Facilities and land should be developed, operated and maintained in an efficient and effective manner. (Strategic Direction 5.1, p. 16) - "The university should respect its natural as well as built environment and should expand its facilities within a holistic approach to development." (Strategic Direction 5.2, p.17) - "Facilities should be designed with an eye to sustainable materials, practices and operations." (Strategic Direction 5.3, p. 17) In addition to identifying core Strategic Planning Principles, the Long Range Development Plan also includes more specific initiatives and guidelines that shape the campus development process (see Chapter 7). Several of these initiatives and guidelines pertain to sustainability. Examples of these directions and guidelines include: - “A Travel Demand Management (TDM) Plan should be developed and implemented to reduce automobile traffic generated by the university and thereby to improve access.” (Strategic Direction 7.1.1, p. 35) - “The Long Range Development Plan recognizes the importance of accommodating bicycles as a viable means of traveling to the university and as a mode for intra-campus circulation.” (Strategic Direction 7.3, p. 36) - “The overwhelming majority of travel movements on campus are by pedestrians. Pedestrian access to and on campus should be accommodated in a safe and attractive manner.” Strategic Direction 7.4, p. 37) - “Environmental studies should be applied when required to assess environmental impacts of building development including wind, sun, snow studies, light pollution and others determined to be necessary.” (Strategic Direction 7.6.4, p.41) - “Environmental impacts associated with production, acquisition and distribution of campus utilities should be minimized.” (strategic direction 7.10.3, 43) - “The university is committed to sustainable development and operations of its facilities and lands.” (Strategic Direction 7.11, p. 45) SECTOR PLANS The Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) recommends the development of sector plans to "...provide guidance to future development regarding: available development sites; development guidelines including height, massing, site coverage, setback and other related criteria that outline the historic, physical, academic, social and cultural character of the sector; pedestrian and bicycle system considerations; open space considerations; land use compatibility, adjacency and transition issues."