Comprehensive Master Plan
University of Arizona, Tucson

Completion: 2003
Size: 351 acres

The University of Arizona master plan shows that a land-locked public research university can look forward to growing significantly while being more efficient and more beautiful as it deals with complex, interdependent issues.

Arizona faces a 55 percent increase in in-state high school graduates by 2018, and UA will need to accommodate a portion of the growth. To handle the projected 40,000 students, as well as qualitative improvements, the University will nearly double its current facilities. The 1988 master plan was implemented to guide the campus, which has 16 colleges and nine schools. Supplemental plans were applied to some areas in the 1990's, including the health sciences and agriculture centers.

By 2000, the plans were no longer relevant, and Ayers/Saint/Gross was asked to provide a comprehensive new one to address:

• Density
• Open spaces
• Circulation and parking
• Housing and student life
• Sustainability
• Local and regional contexts.

The resulting Comprehensive Master Plan shows that through strategic infill in the central campus and taking advantage of extensive space once occupied by surface parking lots, growth can improve function and physical characteristics. However, open spaces need not be sacrificed since they provide uniqueness and a frame of reference using developed and natural settings.

A case can be made that the higher percentage of students living on campus, the higher the institution's academic quality. And residence halls located throughout campus enliven the atmosphere. Graduate student, faculty, and staff housing in close proximity builds a better intellectual community, encourages college town activities, reduces parking demand, and frequently leads to improved relationships with local jurisdictions. Therefore, increasing on-campus housing and improving student life are major goals of the plan.

It is possible to achieve these goals by promoting environmental sensitivity within the campus, community, and region. For example, maximizing open space can be as easy as creating a park, green buffer, and appealing campus edge while slowing storm water runoff. The University of Arizona’s Green Initiative complements its goal to provide leadership in the region and includes many principles such as:

• Sustainable Education Initiatives
• Use of local vegetation and superstructures
• Following LEED guidelines for new facilities
• Water Efficiency
• Green Power

With these strategies in place, AU is focusing on its goal to continue building a great campus with superior architecture framing inspiring outdoor spaces.