University of Virginia
PAE-3: Physical Campus Plan

In accommodating the physical growth and redevelopment that are essential to fulfilling the University’s academic mission, the Grounds Plan views the Grounds as an integrated, contiguous series of multi-functional facilities and green spaces linked by a network of natural and man-made systems. Viewing these systems in a holistic relationship yields more efficient use of available resources, and creates a richer, more dynamic environment on Grounds. To accomplish these goals at the scale of the University requires a strategic approach, based on five primary principles adopted in 2008. Linking these principles is the overarching concept of sustainability, which asserts that growth and change can be accommodated while resources are conserved for future generations.

•Environmental Quality: to protect and restore our natural environment
•Connectivity: to increase the quality and continuity of linkages throughout the Grounds
•Context: to promote beneficial physical relationships with the surrounding community
•Multi-disciplinary Collaboration: to develop mixed-use facilities in support of academic interaction and collaboration
•Preservation: to maintain and enhance the University’s cultural, building, and landscape resources

A conventional campus plan would focus on defining specific building sites for future growth. This Plan recommends the establishment of Redevelopment Zones, a unique approach to campus planning making use of tools that are normally applied to city and community planning. The Redevelopment Zones target future development to areas where mixed-used infill development and redevelopment of existing facilities will create the greatest possible benefits in accommodating the variety of spaces and uses that comprise the University now and in the future. These targeted zones also allow for the conservation of important green spaces that contribute to the health and identity of the University-at-large.

The designation of redevelopment zones is based on a strategy of carefully planned infill and redevelopment that curtails outward expansion, preserves historic assets, promotes an intelligible aesthetic order, improves connectivity, protects natural environments and leverages existing infrastructure resources. These redevelopment zones help to preserve the green space network that provides structure to the University Grounds, and highlight opportunities for development close to existing systems and supportive of adjacent programmatic functions. In this way the Grounds Plan provides an opportunity to knit the precincts of the University together with greater clarity, employing defined redevelopment zones and the green space network to bridge the precincts with a more consistent and active pattern of development. An important aspect of this Plan is to keep future growth within the existing developed area of 1,135 acres.

For further information on the sustainable approach established by this Plan, please refer to the Introduction, Planning Framework, and Program and Precincts. The Plan was developed by UVa with select use of consultants, such as programming, biodiversity analysis, and transportation demand management.