As Phase I of the planning process ends, Draft Campus Plan expected by Fall 2008

GNW Campus in context to Downtown Vancouver

With the unveiling of three design concepts for the future of the campus, Phase I of GNWC's consultative process toward a new Campus Plan is now in its final stage. These concepts, in combination with feedback from a wide cross-section of stakeholders, will guide the new master plan, expected to be drafted by the Fall of 2008. Based on the outcome of Phase I, Phase II of the planning process, led by the City of Vancouver, will begin in early 2009 following the GNWC Board of Directors endorsement of the draft plan. The completed Campus Plan is expected by December 2009.

GNWC launched the planning process in early May with a Vision Symposium, which provided guests from the academic, technology, arts and culture, and planning communities the opportunity to tour the campus facilities and meet with colleagues to discuss the vision for the campus. The presidents of GNWC's four partner institutions: Professor Stephen Toope, Dr. Michael Stevenson, Dr. Don Wright and Dr. Ron Burnett, also shared their aspirations for the Campus.

The Symposium was followed by a series of roundtable discussions in May and June involving nearly 70 participants from government, industry, academia, arts organizations, and the local community. These discussions reviewed GNWC's Vision [PDF] – which outlines the commercialization of high-tech research, new academic programs, and arts and culture activities – and explored ideas for the future development of GNWC.

Feedback generated at the roundtables provided input for a two-day design exercise ("Charrette") June 6-7. The event assembled three design teams consisting of architects, landscape architects, urban designers, and sustainability and land economics experts to each develop a possible site plan for the 18.3 acre GNWC site. The resulting design concepts provide site planning principles, land use ideas, site-wide sustainability opportunities, and transportation strategies. A public open house was held on June 21st to exhibit the results of the Charrette.

For further information about the Campus Plan Process, please visit gnwc.ca/campus_development or contact Norman Sippert at 778-370-1006 or via email at norman_sippert@gnwc.ca.

Three design teams, three concepts for the future of GNWC

Members from Team A during the GNWC Charrette held June 6-7

Three proposed concepts for the future development of the campus lands went on public display at a recent GNWC open house. The concepts were the results of a two-day design exercise ("Charrette") involving three teams of architects, landscape architects, urban planners, and experts in sustainable systems. Each team explored urban design, site planning and overall sustainability opportunities for the 18.3 acre former Finning industrial site (and surrounding neighbourhoods). The challenge: to transform the former industrial site into a model of sustainability to suit mixed-use development and high-tech industries integrated in a live-work community.

Charrette Teams (click below)
Team A	Team B	Team C

"The exercise was a tremendous success in creative place making. Each team delivered unique and innovative concepts for the future development of this site, creatively demonstrating sustainability, connectivity with the adjacent neighbourhoods, and the alignment of a new light rail transit line and station," said, GNWC President, Dennis Pavlich. "Together they will bring vibrancy to a planned campus and residences in a new commercial and new age industrial area that connects to neighbours."

Also critical was each team's demonstration of how GNWC can ensure the social and financial success of the development through innovative phasing and retention of existing buildings on-site and the importance of working with the city, the surrounding community, and with technology industries. All three concepts include specific sustainability strategies to tackle transit, energy, water, and materials demands. Examples include storm and waste water collection and treatment, solar and biomass energy systems for buildings, green roof technology, and pedestrian-centered walkways and public spaces.

The ideas presented in each of the concept plans will inform the Draft Campus Plan – providing guidance for appropriate land uses, public open spaces, roads and community amenities – to be developed in the Fall, 2008. The City of Vancouver will lead the process set to begin early 2009 to finalize the Campus Plan by December 2009.

For more information, visit gnwc.ca/campus_development and follow the links. At the website, you can submit your comments on the plans through an Online Feedback Form.

Great Northern Way Campus (GNWC), in Vancouver, BC , is a unique, collaborative university environment that combines the strengths of four leading academic institutions: University of British Columbia; Simon Fraser University; Emily Carr Institute of Art + Design and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

An urban campus, GNWC has the mandate to intersect arts, technology and the environment in a manner that bridges academia with industry, artists with technology, and innovation with development. It is an integrative environment that builds community and celebrates innovation.