Estate Master Plan reveals long-term vision for campus
Inter-connected green corridors, more pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares, improved access, and renewal of education and research spaces form part of the University of Melbourne’s bold vision for its campuses.
The University has launched its latest Estate Master Plan, an aspirational blueprint for the University’s precincts and campuses, aimed at ensuring that they meet the University’s long-term education and research needs.
The Plan centres on a long-term vision for the historic Parkville campus where more than 22,000 square metres of green space would be created for students and the community to share.
The Grattan Street entrance to the University would become a major entry point where a new parkway would improve pedestrian access, safety and connection to the city and its residents.
As well, access and navigation across the campus will be improved by strengthening pedestrian connections, particularly between the University and the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.
Other features of the master plan include:
- The opportunity to co-create projects with the University’s Indigenous students, staff and partners to promote cultural awareness and recognition of cultural heritage.
- Renewal of ageing science and engineering teaching and research infrastructure.
- Redevelopment of medical and health sciences research infrastructure aligned with the State Government’s plan to redevelop the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
- The addition of new teaching infrastructure to facilitate informal formal learning opportunities.
- Preservation and adaptive reuse of numerous heritage-listed buildings, contributing to the character and identity of the campus and the broader community.
- Protection of numerous significant trees that contribute an aesthetic, heritage and environmental value to the University’s Estate.
- Preservation and expansion of significant open spaces, gardens and tree canopies contributing to a reduction in the urban heat island effect and air pollution; and increased carbon sequestration and storage.
Further planning studies are underway to progress plans for the University campuses across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell said that the Estate Master Plan aspires to build community connections, improve amenities, accessibility and sustainability and preserve and grow Indigenous, heritage and cultural value on the University’s seven Victorian campuses.
“What is considered fit for purpose in the future, will be vastly different from what we have today, so careful planning and a long-term view of the University’s strategic, academic and research ambitions are required,” Professor Maskell said.
“At the heart of this vision is an aspiration to open up the University’s campuses, to make them more accessible for our staff and students and to transform them into shared places that are more welcoming for all communities.”
Five focus areas that inform the core of the Plan were identified after an 18-month consultation process with University and community stakeholders. They are: Improving the campus experience, efficiency, ageing estate, creating contemporary teaching and research spaces and partnerships.
“The Estate Master Plan reflects the future needs of the University community,” Professor Maskell said. “We look forward to collaborating with our students, staff, the City of Melbourne, the State and the rest of the community to realise our aspiration.”
Professor Maskell said the Plan would afford a significant opportunity to improve sustainability across the University’s campuses.
“The reimagination of our campus buildings and outdoor areas will make them more accessible, more connected to the environment, and they will be designed with energy efficiency in mind.”
The University of Melbourne’s first formal Estate Master Plan was produced by Brian Lewis in 1948. The most recent Estate Master Plan was developed in 2008 by Daryl Jackson.