Campus Planning

Campus planning at The University of Arizona spans many activities and topics. Below is an overview of the primary topics we work with. Each category is linked to additional information and, in some cases, to actual plans and reports.

Planning, Design, and Construction - Planning (PDC-Planning) is responsible for the overall guidance of campus physical development. While some campus departments necessarily focus on specific operational tasks or details of the physical campus, our work inherently involves a long-range, comprehensive perspective. We study not only the parts but also how they fit together - today as well as projected into the future.

	Land Use and District Master Planning Overall guidance of the long-range development of campus is provided by plans which detail future land uses, facility locations, open spaces, and other features for campus. These plans may cover the entire campus, as in the case of the Comprehensive Campus Plan, or may cover smaller districts of campus. Learn More>>
	Landscape and Open Space Buildings are essential elements of campus, although what in many ways defines a campus are the spaces between buildings - sidewalks, landscapes, plazas, courtyards, and other features we collectively refer to as 'open space'. PDC-Planning is one of several campus departments for which campus open space is a primary concern. Learn More>>
	Facility Planning PDC-Planning guides the early stages of the process in developing projects for individual buildings, landscapes, and infrastructure. This process of planning for major capital facilities begins at PDC-Planning with project visioning, defining space needs, budgeting, locating the facility on a campus site, managing approvals by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), and other special studies, plans, and project reviews as needed. Learn More>>
	Historic Resources Portions of the campus are designated as a historic district, and many buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. PDC-Planning plays an essential role in planning for the stewardship of these resources. Learn More>>
	Water Water is a particularly important topic of planning in our desert climate. PDC-Planning assists the UA in planning for many facets of water, ranging from stormwater management and rain water harvesting to infrastructure planning. Learn More>>
	Sustainability Planning Building on past project innovations, planning for campus sustainability has been a University goal since the adoption of the 2003 Comprehensive Campus Plan. This important issue has more recently become a larger institutional priority with actions such as the formation of the Campus Sustainability Committee and a commitment to a minimum of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for new buildings. PDC-Planning plays a key role in identifying, initiating, and demonstrating sustainability goals and actions for campus. Learn More>>
	Circulation and Transportation PDC-Planning collaborates with many departments on campus, along with local jurisdictions, in developing long-range plans for transportation to and within campus. Learn More>>
	Campus Analyses and Evaluations Many special-purpose studies of discrete areas of campus or issues are conducted in order to support decisions about the future of campus. Learn More>>
	University and Community Interface The UA is part of the larger Tucson community and is directly adjacent to many residential neighborhoods. Planning for the areas of transition between the University and adjacent community is an important task for PDC-Planning, requiring coordination on many levels. Learn More>>