University of Illinois — Chicago

Opportunity: The University of Illinois sought a master plan to guide future development for its Chicago campus (UIC). The University hopes to improve the way the campus environment supports their mission to offer a first-rate education to every student.

Solution: Collaborating with Hargreaves Associates Landscape Architects, Booth Hansen has prepared the new UIC Master Plan to create cohesion and clarity in the campus boundaries, identity, and open spaces. A "sense of place" is a major framing goal for providing a vibrant urban campus setting with a more connective pedestrian experience. Also, connections from each side of campus and to the City must be strengthened to make the campus an integral part of the urban fabric. With this clear set of goals in hand, the project team created a series of analytical plans that rigorously diagrammed existing conditions while seeking opportunities for the development of places that give the campus its own unique experience. These diagrams start to frame anticipated physical development, for which the team has devised multiple schemes. From these, a preferred scheme is being fully integrated to become the new Master Plan.

Value: The Master Plan will guide development in the coming years as UIC aims to integrate the East and West Sides of campus and foster an optimum university experience, integrating a rich history with a new urban future.