Learning Resources

A New Campus Planning Paradigm Emerges . . .

. . . Addressing Declining Enrollment, Evolving Academic Technology, Online Learning, and Facilities Maintenance Costs

By: Mohammed Abdelaal, PhD, and Robert L. Ryan, PhD, FASLA

By reviewing campus plans and interviewing senior planners and administrators, the authors examined how 11 public universities in the Northeast and Midwest are responding to growing financial, pedagogical, and facilities risks.

From Volume 54 Number 1 | October–December 2025

Abstract: After decades of significant investment in campus development, US universities are now confronted with enormous challenges, including declining enrollment, evolving academic technology, online learning, and rising facilities maintenance costs. The authors of this research examined how 11 public R1 universities in the Northeast and Midwest are addressing these challenges through a review of campus plans and interviews with senior planners and administrators. This study argues that a new campus planning paradigm is gradually emerging in response to these risks, which highlights innovative strategies for place-based institutions to rapidly reexamine their prevailing capital planning priorities with a focus on adaptability and right-sizing campus facilities.

Institutions Mentioned: Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Ohio University, SUNY at Albany, SUNY at Binghamton, University at Buffalo, University of Connecticut-Main Campus, University of Kansas, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wayne State University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Adaptable Plans, Campus Master Planning, Facilities Planning, Higher Ed Trends, Original Research

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Environmental Management Systems: A Framework for Planning Green Campuses

By: Julian Keniry

Employing environmental management systems can help institutions address campus environmental impacts by providing a structure for assessing and improving the sustainability of all facets of campus operations.

From Volume 31 Number 3 | March–May 2003

Abstract: Drawing on recent survey data from the National Wildlife Federation and other publications, this article explains what an environmental management system is and identifies its components; examines how environmental management systems have been applied and adapted to higher education settings; reports on trends in implementation; and illustrates how the environmental management system can help in planning green campuses. It addresses such issues as environmental policy, training, compliance, performance evaluation, staffing, and assessment within the higher education context.