Comprehensive Development Plan Process

Ayers Saint Gross
October 21, 2003

The comprehensive development plan for Arizona State University will examine the physical needs of the West Campus, Downtown Campus, Main Campus, and the East Campus.   The process will be overseen by the Executive Group and President Crow.   The process will be managed on a daily basis by the University Architects Group consisting of Scott Cole, Ron McCoy, Steve Nielsen, and Mike Nixon.

The design consultant is Ayers Saint Gross from Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to ASG, the following sub-consultants are engaged:

 

Space Utilization Paulien & Associates, Denver, Colorado
Landscape Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, Phoenix Arizona
Transportation Martin/Alexiou/Bryson
Utilities Infrastructure GLHN Architects and Engineers
In addition to the above design team, ASU has engaged the following:
Wayfinding and Signage Cloud Geshen, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Housing Feasibility Brailsford and Dunlavey, Washington, DC

Ayers Saint Gross will coordinate with the above in the development of the comprehensive plan.

 

Overall Process and Schedule

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The Comprehensive Development Plan methodology will employ the following five-step process:

  • Observations:   Fall 2003
  • Planning Principles and Conceptual Plan:   December 2003-January 2004
  • Precinct Studies:   Spring 2004
  • Design Guidelines:   Summer 2004
  • Comprehensive Plan:   May 2004

In the first step, Observations , the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the campus will be analyzed to generate a set of guiding principles which are reflective of the philosophies, culture and setting of ASU.   The guiding principles serve as a foundation for the creation of a Conceptual Plan . This conceptual plan is then tested, vetted and verified with Design Guidelines through a series of Precinct Studies.   When complete, the precinct plans are consolidated to form a unified C omprehensive Plan which includes recommendations for implementation.

  1. 1. Observations involves the accumulation and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data necessary to generate a realistic portrait of a campus. The Consultants rely on existing data, studies, visual assessment, interviews and separate, ongoing planning and design efforts.   These Observations analyze the Institution's programs, other relevant precedents and the place itself.

    Information pertaining to these conditions is gathered, analyzed and documented in the form of meeting reports, diagrams and presentations:
    1. Analysis of Programs:  
      Strategic Initiatives of all University units
      Anticipated Campus Population Growth and Projected Growth of Programs, Housing, etc. Transportation Systems and Parking
    2. Analysis of Precedent
      Historic Development
      Other Institutions
      Industry Standards and Models
    3. Analysis of Place-Natural and Man Made Systems
      History
      Building Use and Character
      Landscape and Vegetation
      Centers and Edges
      Surface Hydrology
      Geology and Landform
      Water and Sewer
      HVAC, Electric and Telecommunications
      Codes and Regulations
      Contextual Influences (global, regional and site specific)
      Access, Circulation
  2. The Conceptual Plan phase will utilize information accumulated in Observations .   A set of guiding principles will be mutually generated by planning participants and ASG.   The principles will state the philosophical positions of the institution necessary to inform the content and composition of the conceptual plan.   The Conceptual Plan will illustrate, like a sketch prepared for a painting, the structure, layout and relationships of planned open space, circulation systems, buildings and focal points. The Conceptual Plan will be used to describe development ideas, to obtain input and build consensus from stakeholders.   Proposed and existing features will both be illustrated and differentiated from one another.
  3. Precinct Studies will depict discrete areas of the campuses in order for the consultant team to test technical feasibility and refine plan information generated in the concept plan phase.   Building setbacks, envelope criteria, engineering systems, pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems, service points, treatment of open space edges and thresholds, general code compliance and landscape composition will be addressed in documents for this phase of work.
  4. Design Guidelines will be developed for buildings and grounds, to support through a codified system, architecturally unified precincts and campus wide planning proposals.   The information generated here is integrated to inform decisions in the precinct plans.   The final guidelines document will serve as a flexible, living reference for the evaluation of existing and future implementation projects.    

    Precinct design guidelines will describe height and massing of buildings, street and open space proportions, and defining characteristics of each.   Building gross square footage and appropriate use, if determinable, will be included.   Interrelationships of buildings streets and open spaces to each other and the overall plan will be articulated.  

    Campus wide architectural guidelines will define architectural character, styles and vocabulary of new facilities throughout the campus.   Building fenestration, treatment of openings, ornamental and organizational elements and appropriate architectural materials will be described.  

    Guidelines for the grounds and open space will fix and describe the landscape architectural treatment of specific types of street, public space, parks and woodland environments.   Standards for treatment of pavement, outdoor lighting, walls and enclosure systems, planting and site furnishings will be included.  
    During the overall process, ASG and its consultant team can also conduct reviews and critiques of ongoing architectural and planning projects throughout the campus.   Projects will be evaluated in the context of aesthetic and functional relationships to the existing campus and known future growth.   Campus design guidelines will be developed as necessary to address specific criticisms of each project.  
  5. The final Comprehensive Plan consists of documents and presentations that aggregate the plan information prepared in previous project phases.   A summary of the planning process, the conclusion of guidelines, precinct plans and their implementation will be provided.  

This work will be accomplished through a series of intensive workshops conducted on the campus.   During workshops in each step of the process, the consultant team will engage members of the University community in dialogue, fact finding, discussion and decision making.    Each workshop will span from one to three days and include interview sessions, walking tours, concept development of plans and studies and presentations.   The proposed composition, sequencing and organization of potential College/University representation in this effort are described below.

 

Planning Constituents, Organizational Structure, Roles and Responsibility

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The development of the Comprehensive plan will rely on the interaction with two primary committees: 1] The Executive Group and 2] The University Architects Group.   The purpose and function of each is described below.   In addition to these groups, several “focus” groups or “planning forums”, be convened to meet at regular, staggered intervals throughout the planning process.

  1. Executive Group
    This group consists of the senior administrators who are able to establish the broad policy objectives for the institution and whose input is crucial to policy formulation and decision making for the planning effort. Other responsibilities of this group include the approval of each project phase and the final approval of the Comprehensive Plan prior to Board of Trustee adoption.   Ideally, these individuals will champion the plan through implementation.  

    The ASG design team will meet with the Executive Group to review progress to date of the plan and solicit input, feedback, advice, and analysis needed to reach consensus on the direction of the plan.   President Crow will also be consulted during the process on a regular basis throughout the process.   It is anticipated that the Executive Group Chairperson will keep the President informed and advise the Group and the design team of the President's input.
  2. The University Architects Group

    The University Architects Group will be responsible for the day to day Management, coordination and implementation of the Comprehensive Development Plan.   This group includes Scott Cole, Ron McCoy, Steve Nielsen, and Mike Nixon.   Other members of the Planning and Facilities staff will support this group.  
  3. Focus Groups
    It is in the Focus Group forums that information will be shared and planning concepts vetted. The groups should represent a very broad base of stakeholders from the University and adjacent Towns, if applicable.   The number of groups could range from twenty five to forty depending on the number of times groups are convened throughout the duration of the planning process.   At a minimum, every group identified should be engaged at least once to solicit input and once to present planning concepts. Some groups should be convened on a regular basis throughout the process.   

    Departmental Groups:
    These groups should include deans and directors from key departments - finance, the colleges, graduate schools, health affairs, housing, athletics, traffic and parking, facilities, building and grounds, faculty, special interest groups, undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, neighborhoods, municipal and regional political representatives, code officials, and benefactors. These forums will solicit programmatic data from the member's respective units of the University and Community for incorporation into the Campus Plan.   The membership of theses groups should act as ambassadors to communicate their constituencies concerns and to convey planning concepts developed by the consultant team.  

    Technical / Implementation Groups:
    These groups should address detailed aspects of transportation and utility infrastructure, environmental, historic preservation, building and open space design and operations. Facilities staff, operations staff, municipal planning staff and code officials could all participate during the focus group interviews.   Participation by these representatives will be less critical at the outset of the process but will become necessary at increasingly frequent intervals during the Precinct Plan phases of the project.  
  4. Precinct Work Groups
    During the precinct workshops many of the stakeholders listed above will need to participate in those workshops that concentrate on the area of campus that they represent. Each of the workshops will focus on more detailed analysis of a specific area of campus. For that reason, representatives will be asked to identify both positive and negative issues about the operations of the buildings, grounds, and or utilities as it relates to:
    • Age
    • Condition
    • Use - buildings and landscape
    • Opinions about the landscape
    • Mechanical Systems / Maintenance Issues
    • Utility Infrastructure
    • Access issues – Handicapped, move-in day, trash removal, service vehicles, etc.
    • Parking

Project Management

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Steve Nielsen, Director of Campus Physical Planning, has been assigned to serve as a conduit between the Consultant Team Project Manager, Kevin King, and all other entities of the University and the surrounding communities.   The proper direction and dissemination of information to planning participants, web sites and the media, scheduling of meetings with constituent groups and committees and coordination with a Town/Gown Liaison are among the primary responsibilities of Mr. Nielsen.   ASG and its consultant team take all direction from, and are responsive to this representative.   Mr. Nielsen will also serve as the Town/Gown Liaison and be responsible for coordinating the appropriate participation of community members in the process.  

Kevin King of ASG will function as the primary point of contact between the consultant team and the Director of University Planning.   Prior to each workshop, ASG will gather information necessary to the efficient conduct of the planning effort.   Subsequent to each workshop, ASG will prepare documentation of the effort.  

 

Resource Allocation

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To assure successful outcome of this type of Campus Planning process, adequate resources must be allocated.  

  1. A Planning Studio has been set up in the University Services Building to serve as a base for day-to-day operations associated with the plan.   This space will function as a meeting center for convening the numerous meetings anticipated over the course of the project.   The purpose of having a centrally located, permanent meeting space is to facilitate the display of planning documents and exhibits.  
  2. A Public Relations Advisor should be assigned to keep the College/University community informed of planning events and issues throughout the planning effort.   To portray the University in the best possible light, it would be best if this individual had an understanding of planning principles.   A journalism or city and regional planning student could fill this role.  
  3. A Web Site to keep constituents apprised of the planning effort, its events and to solicit user input and support could be linked to the ASU web site.   A Web Master to keep the site up to date should be assigned.   

Summary

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In summary, what is most important is that this process be set up to reflect the Goals and Aspirations of the University.   At its best, this occurs through a process where ASG can act as an extension of the ASU staff, employing a methodology which encourages broad institutional involvement such that the final physical plan is reciprocal with the institution's mission, while being a plan which is visionary, and, realistic.

 

 

 

 
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