Campus Character
The plan assumes that the quality of academic life at UB will depend in great measure on the quality of place on campus. A great place to learn must first of all be a great place to be. Making our campuses places that people truly love will require that we follow a few basic principles.
A strong sense of place—a clear campus character—can provide some of this quality. The plan suggests how we can improve on buildings and landscapes with iconic value—the picture postcard quality of Hayes Hall or Lake LaSalle—to help create distinctive educational settings.
Quality places are created when we design for people, not for cars. The character and safety of both the North and South campuses have been compromised by buildings and spaces that give priority to vehicles over pedestrians. The plan includes strategically placed structured parking, simplified vehicular circulation, and a restoration of the essential hierarchy of open spaces to enliven and beautify each campus.
Creating great places also requires quality design that is also sustainable. The plan calls for new buildings to complement existing historic or natural features, to frame an improved open space network, to contribute to a lively year-round streetscape, to establish academic precincts, and to help advance UB toward climate neutrality and other measures of environmental stewardship.
Every place is unique. Each of UB’s campus centers is, too. Making them great places depends on building on what is distinctive about each—historic buildings and quads, characteristic landscapes, or urban streetscapes. The plan shows the way.
