University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
PAE-3: Physical Campus Plan

UW – Green Bay is somewhat unique in that it has had a physical campus plan in place since 1968, when the first shovelful of ground was turned to begin campus construction. Decisions about critical issues like sites for potential new facilities and enrollment growth, and since the environment around us has changed significantly since its inception, the Campus Master Plan was reviewed and revised in 2006 to provide guidance for the future. The plan provides criteria for decision-making relevant to such physical elements as campus identity, land use, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, aesthetics, sustainability, landscaping, infrastructure/utilities, and so on.

Sustainability is a key component of the 2006 Master Plan. The Plan presents this overview: The term sustainability is synonymous with terms like “high performance buildings,” “holistic design,” “green buildings,” and “whole building design”. There is, however, no true industry standard of sustainability and sustainability does not refer to just buildings. Sustainability is generally defined as meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs; it generally encompasses three areas of design and construction: environmental responsibility, energy conservation, and improved human health and performance.
Academic institutions can play a profound role in advancing the acceptance of sustainable thoughts and actions. UW-Green Bay, like other colleges and universities, has tremendous potential to increase peoples’ understanding of sustainability, through traditional educational offerings but also through its actions, policies, and plans for the built environment. The campus already practices many approaches to sustainability, some in an exemplary manner. Use of renewable energy at MAC Hall, and restoration and conservation work at the arboretum represent a strong commitment to environmental awareness.

The Master Plan explores sustainability through each individual element of the campus plan and the integration of individual parts into a cohesive whole. Simplification of the wayfinding and navigation system has the potential to reduce unnecessary drive time through campus and aid in clear public transportation routes within the campus boundaries. Building opportunities are conceptually located near existing utility tunnels and are often placed as additions to existing buildings to reduce the materials and resources necessary for construction. The density of the inner core of campus is increased, containing the footprint of the academic buildings to a core location. Parking is expanded by reconfiguring lots and buffer strips are presented as one method of mitigating the urban heat island, potentially reducing storm water run-off , and increasing the “green” appearance of campus.