Campus plan moves forward

The consultants have singled out University Avenue as an area of attention in the Master Campus Plan—redefining it as "Dalhousie's front door." (Nick Pearce Photo)

What does a bicycle, University Avenue, a downtown campus and future building blocks have in common? They’re all part of the first progress report from the consultants for the Master Campus Plan.

The 22-page report is available at the new Campus Plan website: campusplan.dal.ca.

The report has been developed following hundreds of public consultation meetings, workshops and online comments.

Planning began last summer when IBI Group, a multi-disciplinary planning and design firm, was hired as the consultant. Internal meetings began and then phase one of the public consultation process was held in October. Phase-two workshops, or charets, spanned a week in early March.

The consultants talked to more than 100 individuals and groups within the university community, the surrounding neighbourhoods and the Halifax region concerning the future development of the campus.

“We have heard a wide range of views, needs and visions, and we have considered a comparable range of available information, data and site observations,” say the consultants in the report. “While we will continue to expand our information base, this report will summarize what we have learned so far.”

New projects can start immediately as money becomes available. These include transforming University Avenue and improving signage, lighting and landscaping.

“Swing” projects would be built in the near future without causing major disruption to the existing campus and produce much-needed space. Such projects could include expanding the Killam Library to accommodate student services and learning resources, redeveloping the Grad House, renovating Dalplex and adding more medical sciences research facilities at University and Summer Streets (currently the construction site of the Life Sciences Research Centre).

Major future building blocks are projects to be developed as needed and when funding becomes available. These recognize that change is inevitable and fraught with uncertainty. The blocks can be used for opportunities that present themselves, including a major growth spurt at the downtown campus (now Sexton Campus) or changes in academic disciplines.
The framework also will avoid “willy-nilly development that does not add up to a sensible, sustainable, efficient and pleasing environment,” the report says.

The report says the university cannot realize its long-term development plans without public/private partnerships. It will have to collaboration with the province, the city, the neighborhoods, the Capital District Health Authority and other postsecondary institutions. The university will need to become involved in neighbourhood and regional planning and development and work with stakeholders on such issues as municipal zoning and development guidelines.

“This will require the joint effort and collaboration of Dalhousie, its neighours, HRM staff and council members,” says the report.

The second progress report is expected this fall.