Core Area Master Plan for the University of Saskatchewan

Report

Core Area Master Plan Final Report — March 2003

The Core Area Master Plan has been developed for the University of Saskatchewan to respond to the need for a coordinated, cohesive approach to development on campus. The plan establishes the physical planning framework for growth of new areas and enhancement of existing areas of the University of Saskatchewan campus guided by the University's strategic goals and mission and based on an evaluation of issues including space needs, building and landscape design, sustainable development, traffic and parking, way-finding, utilities, facilities operations, maintenance, phasing, funding and the management of campus projects.

The need for the plan is a reflection of the evolving strategic goals of the University as defined by various strategic policy initiatives contained in the University Mission Statement, The University of Saskatchewan Objectives, Framework and Planning document and the current initiatives of the Enrolment Plan.

This Master Plan process is referred to as the Core Area Master Plan at University of Saskatchewan and the CAMP@US acronym. This process will establish a planning framework and design principles for both existing and expansion areas of the core area of the campus. These initiatives build upon the high standards of quality evident in the existing campus. The vision for the campus will place equal weight on the quality of outdoor spaces as it does on its buildings, creating a safe and active campus that reflects an image befitting the University.

Objectives of the Master Plan

The following key objectives guided the Master Planning process:

• Analyzed the capacity of existing facilities to accommodate growth and used the space needs data to determine the required building spaces.
• Identified areas within the core campus area that should be reserved to accommodate future growth and estimate the expansion capacity of these reserved areas.
• Provided an urban design vision for the future of the campus. Determined the logical grouping of academic, administrative, athletic/cultural, residential, research and other support space.
• Recommended Campus Plan strategies to support key University initiatives including growth targets, intensification of research activities, responding to the needs of First Nations, increasing levels of international student enrolment and providing continued Alumni support for University programs and facilities.
• Developed a concept plan that will provide for safe, convenient and logical pedestrian routes from parking locations, to and between building complexes and recommend suitable treatment of these routes. Recommend strategies for parking on-campus, addressing related policies for transit and additional on-campus housing which can alleviate current parking demand levels.
• Prepared guidelines and policies to promote a green campus and support the University's objective to become a model for environmental responsibility.
• Identified an appropriate circulation system for preferred routing of vehicular traffic to accommodate traffic through campus and the City of Saskatchewan in order to support safe, convenient and logical pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
• Developed a Wayfinding Strategy that will recommend style, types and location of signage
• Provided landscaping guidelines to address the relationship between buildings and the need for a distinctive and welcoming campus aesthetic. Developed a strategy for the various gateway locations in and around campus to provide a welcoming introduction to the University that is consistent with the character of the campus.
• Provided recommendations relating to landscaping, public art and signage at these locations. Provided recommendations for the University's immediate expansion requirements including Student Housing and uses for the Convocation Building.
• Provided an implementation plan for synchronizing the extension of utility services through and between buildings in conjunction with new construction, to allow central servicing for building utilities and minimize utility expenditures.
• Prepared a Capital Planning and Prioritization Strategy to assist in the management and implementation of the Campus Master Plan.