Master Planning for a Sustainable Campus

David W. Reeves, AIA, LEED APFacilities Design and Construction

The University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC 27403

336-334-5269 http://www.uncg.edu/fpl

What is Master Planning for a Sustainable Campus?

• Sustainability: “…meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

• Source: Our Common Future, Brundtland Commission, 1987

UNC Sustainability Policy

• Sustainability adopted as a core value: 10/9/09

• Master Planning: “…sustainability principles related to infrastructure, natural resources, site development, and community impact shall be incorporated into comprehensive master plans.”

UNC Sustainability Policy

• Design & Construction:

“…meet statutory energy and water efficiency requirements; deliver energy, water and materials for buildings and grounds that minimize impact and enhance the site; and, provide good indoor environmental quality for occupants.”

Sustainable Campus Guidelines

• Plan Sustainable Sites

• Conserve Water

• Conserve Materials and Resources

• Conserve Energy

• Enhance Environmental Quality

Plan Sustainable Sites

• Use the most suitable sites available on campus

• Maximize orientation • Preserve existing green

spaces; develop new ones

• Implement storm water management plans

• Incorporate pedestrian friendly campus

• Incorporate alternatives to vehicular transportation

Conserve Water

• Reduce water used for landscaping– Use indigenous plants– Irrigate only to

establish– Capture rainwater or

gray water for reuse• Reduce consumption

inside buildings.– SB 668 (20% less than

code)– Use LEED Guidelines to

reduce potable water consumption

Conserve Materials and Resources

• Reuse existing buildings

• Incorporate waste management for new construction & renovations (construction)

• Provide solid waste reduction & recycling programs (operations)

• Use materials with recycled content

Enhance Environmental Quality

• Reduce quantity of indoor air contaminates– Low VOC paints,

coatings, carpet & composites

• Design healthy interior spaces for users, support learning & foster research– SB 668 (30% more

efficient for new/20% for renovation)

– Control lighting– Thermal comfort– Daylight & views

How do we get a Sustainable Campus Master Plan? Have a

Planning Process• Collaborative process

with all stakeholders involving students, faculty, staff, neighbors and local government

• Meet University expectations and goals

• Design teams coordinate and lead the sustainable planning process, (e.g. LEED process)

Case Study – UNCG Master Plan

• 1st Comprehensive Master Plan completed in 1984 by Warnecke

• Master Plan updated in 1995 by Sasaki Associates & MMPA

• Plan updated again in 2001 by Perkins & Will

• 2007 Master Plan update completed by Sasaki & BJAC

1995 Existing Campus Plan

• Little implementation of the 1984 Master Plan

• Limited land acquisition has taken place

• College Avenue remains open to vehicular traffic

• Improvements to Spring Garden Street not yet implemented

• Completed sports and recreation facilities

1995 Master Plan Update

• Music School sited at corner of McIver and West Market (“Vision” for Peabody Park)

• Science Building sited• Closed portion of McIver

Street for pedestrians• Pedestrianization of

College Avenue proposed• Improvements to Spring

Garden Street proposed (to reduce “heat island” effect)

2001 Master Plan

• Land acquisition to campus boundaries now complete

• Music Building, Science Building and Baseball Stadium have been completed

• Structured parking completed

• Spring Garden Street improvements completed

• Elliott Center Green proposed to replace surface parking lots

2006 Existing Campus Plan

• College Avenue is now pedestrianized

• Additional structured parking south of Spring Garden

• Housing completed at corner of Aycock and Spring Garden

• Softball complex completed

• Tennis Courts and Recreation Track are completed

2007 Master Plan Goals

• Preserve open and green spaces– “Sacred spaces” include

Peabody Park, Foust Park, Quad, Dining Hall Commons and EUC Green

– Other green spaces include athletic fields and the golf practice area

– Need to improve use and feel of open spaces including EUC Green and golf practice area

2007 Master Plan Goals

• Preserve character-defining and historic buildings (Quad, Foust Building and others)

2007 Master Plan Goals

• Preserve and renovate existing buildings (Quad & Dining Hall)

2007 Master Plan Goals

• Focus on more pedestrian-friendly core campus & promote alternative modes of transportation to/from campus

2007 Master Plan – Elements of Sustainable Campus

Planning• Preserve open and green

spaces• Preserve and renovate

existing buildings (Quad & Dining Hall)

• Recognition of a need to move to more dense, vertical campus

• Focus on infill development (conversion of existing parking lots or existing buildings)

• Focus on more pedestrian-friendly core campus & promote alternative modes of transportation

• Proposed development south of the railway on other urban sites

Summary

• Plan sustainable sites• Conserve Water

(interior and exterior)• Conserve Materials and

Resources (construction and operations)

• Conserve Energy• Enhance Environmental

Quality to promote living, learning and research

Questions?

• David Reeves– dwreeves@uncg.edu

• For Additional Information and to review the UNCG Campus Master Plan:– http://www.uncg.edu/fpl/CampusMasterPlan

Master Planning for a Sustainable Campus

Thank You!Facilities Design and ConstructionThe University of North Carolina at

Greensborohttp://www.uncg.edu/fpl