he University of Otago has launched its Campus Master Plan, intended to guide the development of the University campuses over the next 20 to 25 years.
The full plan is nearly 200 pages in length, and covers a huge array of issues.
International firm DEWG was commissioned to lead the process, and worked in conjunction with a number of other firms on specialised issues. Dunedin architect Tim Heath also assisted DEWG on the project.
The plan identifies a number of issues that face the current campus, most notably the predicted growth of an additional 6 900 students and 500 staff over the next 25 years. The plan also focuses on better utilisation of the Leith and historical buildings, improving accommodation, alleviating the tense relationship between the city and campus, and improving the “collaboration and integration” of students within the University.
One of the most integral aspects of the plan is the better utilisation of the Leith. The plan proposes riverside areas for students to enjoy at various points along the Leith. These plans are contingent on the revival of the Leith waters from their current dilapidated state.
University buildings and wide promenades will follow the Leith down towards the harbour and new stadium. Over the road from the stadium, on the corner of Union Street and Anzac Avenue a new residential college is proposed. This is an attempt to address the accommodation issues that may arise in the future.
The Central Precinct, which includes the Library, Link, Richardson, Burns, and Union Lawn, will remain the “central hub” of the University. A redevelopment of the Union Lawn is recommended, removing the current “raised garden” in favour of a flat, grassy pavilion with paving “designed to respond to the complex patterns of pedestrian movement across the space.” The area will be surrounded by transparent retail outlets that complement those already present in the Union Building.
The Archway lecture theatres will thankfully be torn down along with several surrounding buildings. This area, dubbed the ‘Leith Bend’, will form the undergraduate teaching hub of the campus with a large, iconic building to be constructed housing lecture theatres.
Burns is to be stripped to its structural core and refurbished, both inside and out. It will also be connected by a covered walkway to the Link. A transparent podium will be installed around Richardson and Castle to open up the ground levels for informal study and break out space, and once again make use of the riverside position of the two buildings.
The Science II Building is to be demolished and replaced with a new, modern-looking building running parallel with the Leith. This area would then form a new “hub” for the northern campus, as the area will feature two “landscaped quads” where students could mingle.
The plan points out that many of the historical sites of the University are currently unavailable to the majority of students. In order to rectify this, it is proposed that the basement of the Clocktower is turned into an interpretive centre / museum / archive hybrid. The Music, Performance, and Geology departments are to be relocated to enable Marama Hall, Allen Hall, and the Quad buildings to be used for public events and general teaching respectively.
The plan also proposes a realignment of State Highway 1, removing the ‘S’ bends, and significantly expanding the Health Sciences Precinct. Also in the South Central Precinct, a proposed new pedestrian mall will link the museum reserve to Frederick Street.
Although much of the focus is on the Dunedin campus, some mention is made of the Christchurch and Wellington campuses. Rather than reaching any strong conclusions, the Master Plan proposes four possible options for the Christchurch campus, and seven for the Wellington campus.
The Stanford of the South, maybe.
