Universities, Engines of Social Economic and Cultural Development

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UNIVERSITIES

Sue Emms describes BDP’s work for universities across the world

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(Left page) Designs to enhance connections between Sheffield Hallam

University and the city. (Current page) Xi’an Jiaotong

Liverpool University.

The School of Art and Media supports Coventry University’s civic engagement, enabling it to play a transformational role in the cultural plans of the city.

Universities have always enjoyed strong connections with their cities and regions. They not only offer opportunities in education, research and training, but support the economy through innovation and skills, advancing society by expanding collective knowledge through research and discovery. They are catalysts for economic growth, promoting cultural activity, social mobility and community cohesion. With the growing trend towards devolution in UK cities, global urbanisation and rapid technological change, as well as a raft of challenging social issues, universities are growing partnerships to establish their important role as engines of social, economic and cultural development; ‘town and gown’ for the 21st century.

University masterplans are often the

first step in unlocking this relationship. The ambitious review of the University of Warwick’s masterplan supports its role as an active stakeholder in the success of the region and beyond. The city campus masterplan for Sheffield Hallam University reflects its bold vision to raise its presence in the city and wider regional development by addressing the skills gap highlighted in the UK’s industrial strategy. University becomes ‘univer-city’ where physical connections with cities are enhanced. The design activates ground floor spaces to showcase industry ‘real-life’ learning, transforming the streetscape by illustrating the development of skills which will aid the employability of graduates and support Sheffield Hallam’s ambition of becoming the world’s leading applied university.

This trend to drive development is prevalent globally. In China new universities are positioning themselves as educational hubs, such as Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Suzhou. This world class campus blends our education and placemaking expertise with an understanding of local culture and knowledge. Inspired by the Classical Gardens of Suzhou, the design sets new urban routes and a city garden at its heart. An international business school, laboratory and research facilities, humanities building, science building and training centre, and international exchange centre are placed around this new urban space which encourages social exchange and serendipitous encounter at the heart of the campus.

Boundaries are increasingly blurred

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between academia and industry, leading to new building typologies. The Smart Innovation Hub for Keele University co-locates the university’s management school and councilfunded incubation space, affording students and staff the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs and local business owners. A central business lounge enables open innovation through the sharing of ideas and knowledge and supports the growth of new businesses in the region.

This idea was central to the design for a new campus for the Singapore Institute of Technology. This transforms the way academics and industry work side by side. Research is focused on industry challenges in partnership with students acquiring skills for a future in industry. A key

concept of the design is the project hub, a flexible place to ‘learn, unlearn and relearn’ through the support of real life business.

The potential of universities to enrich the cultural life of cities is huge. The School of Art and Media supports Coventry University’s civic engagement, enabling it to play a leading, transformational role in the arts and humanities and positively influence the cultural plans of the city. The refurbished School of Art is united with adjacent buildings and functions with a new heart space, a concept to stimulate new pedagogies for cross-disciplinary working in the fields of architecture, interior design, automotive design, performing arts and media. The design acts as a new gateway and shop window

to showcase the arts and engage with enterprise and the community. Completing in 2021, it will form a key civic focus for Coventry’s Capital of Culture.

Our work with universities has allowed us to test new ideas and explore new concepts for the mutual benefit of cities, institutions and communities. These are exciting times: playing a part in societal transformation, through the design and delivery of buildings and places that make a significant contribution, not just to the universities but to their city regions.

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(Left and right) Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University - a new campus for world class teaching and research. (Below) Singapore Institute of Technology - transforming the way academics and industry work sideby-side.

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Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University - learning and research arranged around a city park inspired by the Classical Gardens of Suzhou