University of New Hampshire
PAE-3: Physical Campus Plan

Adopted in 2004, the UNH Campus Master Plan follows the themes of the University's Academic Plan: Discovery, Engagement and Outreach, Resourcefulness, Institutional Effectiveness, and Community. These themes all weave together and are crucial to sustainability. In addition, key principles of the plan include accessibility, preserving the New England character of the built and natural environment, and strengthening the relationship with UNH's surrounding communities.

As the plan states on pages 30-31, "The campus conceptual framework engages town and gown as well as the built and natural environments. The concept is centered on a compact academic village as the core of the University. Student life uses, such as housing, meeting space, cultural, athletic, and recreational venues, surround the core and form a transition into the town and landscape. Overlaid on these functional elements is the natural system’s framework of woodlands, fields, streambeds, and rivers as a microcosm of the New England landscape. The goals are:

1. Meet the Needs of the University Academic Mission and Plan
2. Blend Living and Learning Environments
3. Improve Access to and Mobility Around Campus
4. Balance the Needs of the Built and Natural Environments
5. Enhance the Character of the Campus"

An overarching goal is to house as many students as feasible on campus and to condense the used areas of campus in order to preserve the surrounding natural environment, avoid vehicle miles and emissions, and promote a campus that is pedestrian and bike-friendly.

Sustainable Landscaping: UNH promotes and maintains sustainable landscaping throughout campus for the education and enjoyment of the community, the enhancement of natural systems, and the protection of biodiversity. A UNH Sustainable Landscaping Master Plan has become part of the umbrella UNH Campus Master Plan. Sustainable Design is also a part of the Campus Master Plan: As part of the Presidents Climate Commitment, UNH-Durham is committed to having all new campus construction and major renovation projects achieve U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards or equivalent; this policy will be applicable to all new projects initiated after UNH design and construction building standards have been modified in 2008. UNH Design Guidelines used by UNH Facilities Design and Construction require that designs use energy efficient systems and components and consider environmental impacts not just locally but also where the materials are derived from.