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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
October 23, 2025

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A New Campus Planning Paradigm Emerges . . .

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

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.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
October 15, 2025

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Approaches to Emissions Reduction

Sustainability Planning Across Institutions

In this panel, campus leaders will share how they are advancing sustainability through integrated planning—aligning facilities, finance, academics, and operations to move faster and smarter.
Abstract: Colleges and universities are under growing pressure to cut carbon emissions while balancing tight budgets, aging infrastructure, and rising community expectations. From community colleges to flagship research institutions, the challenge is the same: how do you accelerate climate action without compromising financial or operational stability?

In this one-hour panel, campus leaders will share how they are advancing sustainability through integrated planning—aligning facilities, finance, academics, and operations to move faster and smarter. You’ll hear how institutions are confronting legacy systems like boilers, cogeneration plants, and generators, while also exploring innovative solutions such as microgrids and renewable energy integration.

Whether your institution is just beginning its sustainability journey or pushing toward aggressive carbon-neutrality targets, you’ll walk away with fresh strategies and practical insights to make meaningful progress on your own campus.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
June 17, 2025

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Planning for ‘Passivhaus’

The University of Cambridge, King’s College Addresses Student Well-Being with Energy-Efficient Graduate Housing

King’s College, Cambridge required new postgraduate housing to support its growth plans.

From Volume 53 Number 3 | April–June 2025

Abstract: King’s College, Cambridge required new postgraduate housing to support its growth plans. The design team collaborated closely with college stakeholders, including the prospective residents, to research all aspects of the proposals—brief, spaces, structure, and services—early in the process. That research provided a comparison of environmental methods that ranged from a regulatory baseline to a certified Passivhaus approach. The holistic “fabric-first” standard delivers highly efficient, low-energy buildings with high-quality construction and occupant comfort. The metrics fed into a cost-benefit analysis of capital cost vis-a-vis energy reduction to determine the long-term value of each approach.

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Conference Presentations,Conference Recordings

Published
June 3, 2025

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Campus Planning for a Sustainable, All-electric, and Decarbonized Future

Buildings contribute over a third of global carbon emissions and are a key focus for decarbonization.
Abstract: Buildings contribute over a third of global carbon emissions and are a key focus for decarbonization. As legislation phases out natural gas and enforces stricter efficiencies, campuses must adapt to the demands of all-electric building design. In this session, experts from the University of California (UC) will cover strategies, insights, and costs of decarbonization with the goal of building a more sustainable and healthy future. Join us to gain effective, practical tools and project strategies for campus decarbonization as well as discover how electrification impacts utilities and requires cross-disciplinary teamwork.

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Conference Presentations

Published
May 20, 2025

Reimagining Science and Engineering Programs through the Living Masterplan

Abstract: Science and engineering programs continue to grow and attract funding. Strategic planning can maximize new and repurposed space for STEM programs to address aging infrastructure, changing research, evolving student needs, and an uncertain future. To build stakeholder consensus and develop an achievable plan, we'll define key metrics behind the best use of existing space and showcase how specific data-driven tools and analytics transform traditional planning into a living masterplan. By applying a living masterplan and embracing data-driven tools, you'll be able to reach stakeholder consensus sooner and develop more efficient plans that are both implementable and adaptable to future changes.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 8, 2025

Decisions That Stick: Applying the CBA Matrix to Complex Projects

Abstract: The Choosing by Advantage (CBA) Matrix is a powerful tool for decision-making in the design and construction industry, from the planning process through project completion, and it delivers efficiency through fewer changes. CBAs take all stakeholders into account when defining advantages, so campus planners can achieve quality, an on-time schedule, and cost savings at every stage. Via simulation, we'll demonstrate how you can apply CBAs across all phases of a project. By presenting and providing step-by-step, compelling visuals, our team will enable you to implement CBAs tactically and early in your next project.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 8, 2025

Designing for Intentional Community: Dartmouth’s Housing Transformation

Abstract: Planning processes must be versatile and nimble to accommodate changing priorities. This session will show how a design team developed a flexible data visualization tool that allows Dartmouth University to play out scenarios as priorities change over time. As Dartmouth renews its plans, we'll provide a comprehensive look at how the team considered parity, distribution, and student wellness in a three-part planning effort. Discover how you can apply our data visualization tool to describe complex variables to stakeholders, as well as use scenario planning to align cost, student experience, and institutional goals over the course of your plan's realization.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 7, 2025

When City Parks Are Your Quad: Urban Campus Planning for Safety and Wellbeing

Abstract: As security remains of paramount concern for campus communities, how should institutions thoughtfully engage the urban fabric? Urban campuses are constrained by their verticality and publicly-permeable urban edges. This session will delve into a 2023 SCUP Fellows report with additional updated analysis of campus responses and overreach to protests this past year. In-depth analysis of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles through a lens of student development theory will provide you with insight into student wellbeing and sense of security through campus design.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 7, 2025

Architecture + Education Raises Awareness and Supports Community Collaboration

Abstract: Community collaboration hasn't always been a priority in design education. This session will showcase a program that leverages the public school system as a learning environment for professionals and graduate students in architecture to identify socioeconomic opportunities. The Architecture + Education Program provides institutions opportunities to work actively with the communities they serve, and raises awareness of design careers among public school kids to increase and diversify its talent pipeline. This unique program involves multiple generations, including design professionals alongside public school and university students and instructors. Join us to discover opportunities for innovative community programs in your own backyard.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 7, 2025

Beyond the Campus Core: Developing a Flexible Off-campus Innovation Center

Abstract: With campus space at a premium and industry investment on the rise, institutions are developing flexible research facilities beyond their core campus to accommodate evolving technology. The key to maximizing these spaces lies in integrated planning and design. This session is an exploration of the planning process behind Carnegie Mellon University's (CMU) new Robotics Innovation Center (CMU-RIC), an ambitious off-campus facility that includes aerial, aquatic, and outdoor robotics testing spaces. We'll investigate how a collaborative planning and design process aligned diverse stakeholder interests and identified core priorities in the development of a highly-adaptable research facility.

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