Wilfrid Laurier University
PAE-3: Physical Campus Plan

Wilfrid Laurier University is growing rapidly, both academically and physically. In response, a Campus Master Plan has been developed by Physical Resources to help guide future growth. Sustainability concerns and principles are addressed and outlined throughout the Campus Master Plan, especially within its guiding principles. These include preserving existing landscapes, creating a pedestrian and cyclist friendly campus, providing transportation alternatives and minimizing parking demand, and recognizing the university’s Sustainability Policies within all new development.

Guiding Principles

5 of the 12 guiding principles in the Campus Master Plan address topics of sustainability:

* Create a pedestrian and cycle friendly campus.
* Preserve existing landscapes and develop new open spaces.
* Utilize existing and new campus lands efficiently by pursuing intensification, infill and redevelopment.
* Provide for a variety of transportation alternatives and minimize parking demand with the core area.
* Recognize the University’s Sustainability Policies within all new development.

Landscape

The Plan appreciates the importance of maintaining and developing existing landscapes in order to create microclimates, provide ecological diversity, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the campus. This involves planting local species of trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials on campus in locations that are both ideal for plant health and aesthetics. This landscaping approach supports environmental conservation efforts on campus.

Transportation

Another focus of the Plan deals with providing and promoting alternative means of transportation at Laurier. The Plan aims to support the growing cyclist culture on campus by establishing mixed-mode pathways and expanding bicycle parking facilities (both indoors and outdoors). The importance of public transit is also emphasized in the Plan, which encourages positive communication and cooperation with Grand River Transit to ensure good access to transit routes on campus.

Sustainability

The sustainability section of the Plan outlines the goal to improve the University’s reputation as an innovative and effective catalyst for change towards sustainability. These principles outline proactive approaches, short and long-term benefits and incentives, details for sustainable practices of building, procurement, conservation, and the use of resources and energy. This plan addresses the importance of social, economic, and environmental responsibilities, and outlines objectives in fulfilling them.

Construction

Laurier’s Campus Master Plan emphasizes the importance of building with local materials, respecting the architectural heritages of both universities, and creating healthy environments for people. With the intention of supporting the University’s Sustainability Policies, the Plan seeks to recognize sustainable construction practices for new construction and renovations, and to make use of true cost accounting.