University of Oregon Northeast Central Campus Diagnosis

University Planning Office

Summary of Results

This diagnosis resulted in a series of maps (and related information) that depict the current Long Range Campus Development Plan's policies/patterns and existing conditions overlaid with information describing which areas need fixing in the study area.

A summary map shows the areas that need fixing and areas that work well. Click here to read the map in .pdf format. If your browser doesn't support .pdf files, click here to see a .gif at a lower resolution.

In addition, suggested revisions to existing patterns and possible new Long Range Campus Development Plan patterns were identified.

Please contact Christine Thompson at the University Planning Office (Email: cthomps@oregon.uoregon.edu; phone: 541/346-5572) to receive a copy of the complete document.

Project Description

Introduction

This study records the existing conditions of the northeast central region of the campus as they relate to the university's Long Range Campus Development Plan's policies and patterns. It will aid in decision making for potential development of the area, as well as help identify the need for future amendments to the Long Range Campus Development Plan.

The principle of diagnosis is one of the six basic principles of the planning process adopted by the university in 1974, known as "The Oregon Experiment," and elaborated upon in the Long Range Campus Development Plan:

The principle of diagnosis establishes that in order to provide a general context to direct the regenerative processes of continuous adaptation and repair, a periodic analysis of the present state of the campus is required. (p. 12)

This diagnostic study is only one step in the planning process to guide future development. As stated by Christopher Alexander in his book The Oregon Experiment, "The diagnosis tells us what is wrong, now, in the present" (p. 157). The diagnosis is not intended to establish policies and patterns, but determines how the established policies and patterns are working. It is not intended to present the university with specific solutions for individual projects, but analyzes the combined effect past projects have had on the university environment.

Study Area

The study area encompasses the northeast central portion of the campus bounded generally by Franklin Boulevard on the north, Agate Street on the east, 15th Avenue on the south, and University Street on the west; the area is bisected by 13th Avenue, which runs east-west.

The area includes a wide variety of uses. It is the major gateway to the campus, with administrative functions occupying the northeastern corner of the area. The Science Complex is the campus's most densely developed area and occupies the northwestern part of the study area; because it lies along Franklin Boulevard, it is the university's most visible edge to the community. The area between 13th Avenue and 15th Avenue serves as home to more than 1,300 students who live in Carson, Walton and Earl residence halls. Related recreational activities and student services are included in this region. The Erb Memorial Union represents the center of activity on campus for students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Additional academic departments fill the remaining structures. Future plans for development will have an impact on all portions of this study area.

Background

Currently, diagnosis is achieved, in part, by coordinating development needs with the academic program planning cycle as described in the Long Range Campus Development Plan. The biennial process identifies capital construction needs resulting in preparation of the Biennial Implementation Plan. Site diagnosis, which occurs when a construction project is ready to move forward with schematic design, also provides diagnostic opportunities. Unfortunately, by the time a project reaches the design phase, site diagnosis must be accomplished very quickly. Additionally, improvements to surrounding areas are difficult to address at that time because they may not have been anticipated, and their costs are seldom included in the funding for capital construction projects. Studies of areas larger than a development site have occurred occasionally (refer to Appendix A).

To be effective, a diagnosis of the overall campus should be completed in advance of capital construction projects to anticipate necessary improvements and to incorporate them into future projects. The large size of the campus, however, makes a campus-wide diagnosis impractical. Therefore, instead of an overall diagnosis, the campus will be divided into manageable sections (to be determined somewhat as future proposed development dictates). Each year, a diagnostic study will be performed for a specified area until the entire campus is covered; at that time the cycle will begin again.

Process

The study was conducted primarily by University Planning Office staff. In addition, a focus group was formed to gather input from the area's users.

Please contact Christine Thompson at the University Planning Office (Email: cthomps@oregon.uoregon.edu; phone: 541/346-5572) to receive a copy of the complete document.