Xue wood working sample land use by Xue Wood

Sustainability Planning of KU West Campus

Purpose and Essence of the Plan KU is a historic university with over 100 year’s age, winning honors and reputations across the nation and even around the world. As a core of Lawrence city, it contributes 1/3 population to the whole community. According to a “University‐Community” spirit, KU needs a specific future land use plan tailored to its situation. Thus, KU and Lawrence city can continue their prosperity for the next 100 years. To achieve this goal, we suppose to plant the “Sustainability Plan” to KU west campus where is designed to provide a long‐term development. Especially for a sustainable future land use, we come out with a big idea—inputting a series of commercial properties surrounded by natural sceneries which functions as a buffer, connecting to future campus land, residential land, social infrastructures, and business research labs by a friendly pedestrian & public transit system. Therefore, by gathering sufficient funding to the economy, protecting the ecology with buffers, sharing resources for equity, this big idea is overwhelmingly essential to create a livable city. In other words, we can reach the prism of sustainable development and ultimately form a “University‐Community” atmosphere.

Executive Summary A friendly pedestrian system supported by KU school transit in the west campus is calling right now! It serves as a skeleton structure organizing each organic function of land use. To form a sustainability plan (a balance of Equity, Ecology, Economy, Livability) for the future of KU, first, we recommend building up a walkable surrounding. Since our clients are divided into two groups‐‐ one group is KU students, faculties, staff, and the other group is the public‐‐ we are thinking about joining them together for a wide resource sharing (Equity). The friendly pedestrian system can encourage less use of cars, slow their pace speed and opportunities for communication. Even more, it contributes to automobiles’ energy saving as well as environment protection (Ecology). Moreover, the pedestrian system should be well‐planted with green pavers, tree line, resting spots, and attractive entrances to buildings. All these are based on a purpose of increasing the usage of sidewalks while offering a charming atmosphere for future commercial investments and social activities. Furthermore, these properties are expected to bring continuous funding (Economy) while gathering people together at the same time. Thus, to maintain a tight connection with the main campus, we recommend starting pedestrian lines from the Lied Center, and we strongly believe that this plan will help us create a Livable “University‐Community” city. 1

c GIS

Sustainability Planning of KU West Campus

State of the Community Report Existing Conditions To start, we diagnose the west campus of the University of Kansas. The area we concentrate on is bounded by 15th Street (Bob Billings) to the north, 23rd Street (Clinton Parkway) to the south, Kasold to the west, and Iowa Street to the east. In general, west campus hasn’t been developed with under‐graduated education in mind. Activities there have been established independently to each other and the patterns of development reflect this phenomenon. 3D DISTRICT PERSPECTIVE MAP

Source: The study area shown above was captured by using Google Earth.

1) Topography: The study area is mostly flat. But there are some steep slopes in this area. One obvious part is in the northeast of this area. TOPOGRAPHY MAP It is wandering around the Irving Hill and the slope is up to Feet 0 375750 1,500 2,250 3,000 45 percent. See that dark green area of slope percent and crowding contour lines in the following topography map.

Legend Water contours study_area

slope_percent <VALUE> 0 - 3% 3 - 10% 10 - 30% 30 - 45%

Source: The map shown above is drawn out from Arc GIS

Moreover, the high spot is on the top of Irving Hill occupied by Lied Center (showed in picture 1) at a height of 1000 feet. The low spot is on the southeast of the area occupied by a series of Research Lab. 2

Sustainability Planning of KU West Campus

Engel

Coventry

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Kasold

1,000 1,500 2,000 Fee

Elli s

Kasold

Stewart

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23rd

B ar o ne

23rd

Ridge

Clinton

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22nd

Vai l

21st

line

Farmland of statewide importance

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Clinton

KS045

Stewart

Melholland

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KS045 KS045

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Atchison Me ad ow l

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Atchison

Iowa

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Atchison

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Heatherwood

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Clinton Pkwy

22nd

Marvonne

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Breckenridge

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19th

23 R

St An drews m Ca

19th

22nd

Iowa

15th

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22nd

Kasold

Bristol

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Seminole

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Bob Billings

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Lawrence

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And there is a stripe of water draining across the area from Bob Billings on the north to the 23rd Street on the south. Along the north of the draining, there are some campus constructions. To the south, there are little forests on both sides of the draining. 2) Watercourses and Floodplains: There is a stream named Atchison running down from the north to the south in the west part of the study area between the Heatherwood Dr and the Atchinson Ave. There is also a reservoir in the southeast of the area which functions as a lake attracting some fishermen on the weekends. WATERCOURSES AND FLOODPLAINS MAP: As well as the water front brings happiness, it also comes with floodplains. So before we starting our planning, we need to find out the floodplain boundaries. The following map Legend shows the FEMA 100‐year flood streets plain (an event or an area Water subject to a 1% probability of a FloodPlain100yr certain size flood occurring in any given year) boundaries are around 150 feet width along the north part of the river while Source: The map above is gained from Arc GIS of the FEMA Map Service Center. approximately 400 feet width along the south part. Thus, we can calculate that there are only a few lands within the floodplain boundaries while large acres are safe to use. 3) Sensitive Environmental Areas: There are special and fragile environment zones within the study area linked with wetlands around the riverside and nature preserves on Irving Hill. Moreover, we find that a large wide of the area are covered with martin silt clay loam with flourish trees. So, the majority of soils are good for agriculture or orchards with slope of 3‐7 percent (farmland quality is shown in the Farmland Class Map below). FARMLAND CLASS MAP: gs Billin Bob Moreover, Fields in the southeast part and on the KS045 KS045 KS045 KS045 top of Irving Hill where soil types are Vinland/Martin KS045 KS045 KS045 KS045 complex with slopes approximately to 3‐7 percent KS045 KS045 Legend are good for building. KS045 KS045 streets KS045 On the contrary, places KS045 19th KS045 Water KS045 in the northeast around soils KS045 the bottom of Irving Hill <all other values> 21st 21st Farm_Class are not valid for KS045 KS045 All areas are prime farmland 22nd KS045 building. KS045 KS045

23rd

KS045 KS045 KS045

Source: The map above is drawn from Arc GIS

Not prime farmland Prime farmland if drained

Sustainability Planning of KU West Campus

Existing Land Use When look at the existing land use

map and compare it to the zoning map, we find out:

± 0 375 750

1,500

2,250

Feet 3,000

Legend study_area

1) a bank of natural area remain in living conditions while most of them are zoned to cater campus land use;

parcels <all other values>

Landuse business parks/lab space/research space campus natrual resource office shopping/business/trade social/institutional/infrastructure-related

census_blocks2000 RES_DENS_1 .000000 - 6.000000 6.000001 - 18.000000 18.000001 - 151.000000

2) office, social infrastructure, and research land use are mixed with campus function in existing land use while the zoning map shows a pure campus land use.

Source: draw from Arc GIS Zoning District Table Zoning District U.KU RM12/RM24/RM32 (d.u.=dwelling units) RS5/RS7/RS10

RSO

Name KU CAMPUS Multi‐Dwelling Residential – 12 d.u. per acre – 24 d.u. per acre – 32 d.u. per acre SINGLE‐DWELLING RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT Lot Size ‐RS5‐5,000 square ft. ‐RS7‐7,000 square ft. ‐RS10‐10,000 square ft. SINGLE‐DWELLING RESIDENTIAL – OFFICE DISTRICT

RMG

MULTI‐DWELLING RESIDENTIAL – GREEK HOUSING DISTRICT

CN2

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL CENTER DISTRICT

COMMERCIAL STRIP DISTRICT

GPI

GENERAL PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL USE DISTRICT

PCD

Planned Commercial Development Planned Residential Development District, Planned Unit Development District

PRD PUD

Description Owned by KU, used as campus development land Accommodate multi‐Dwelling housing. The Districts are intended to create, maintain and promote higher Density housing opportunities in areas with good transportation Access. Accommodate predominantly single Detached Dwelling Units on individual Lots. The Districts are intended to create, maintain and promote housing opportunities for individual households, although they do permit nonresidential uses that are compatible with residential neighborhoods. accommodate low to medium‐intensity Administrative and Professional Offices that are compatible with the character of low and medium‐Density residential neighborhoods. The District is also intended to be used as a transitional Zoning District between higher intensity commercial areas and residential neighborhoods. provide areas for Greek Housing in proximity to a university or college that provides higher education to the public, preserves the architectural character and use of these existing Buildings, and protects nearby low‐Density residential districts from incompatible uses and developments. Implement the Comprehensive Plan’s “Neighborhood Commercial Centers” policy of providing for the sale of goods and services at the neighborhood level, generally located at least one mile from another Commercial Center. provide for existing commercial strip development along the City’s Major Arterial Streets. The adjacent undeveloped Parcel may be zoned to the classification CS to allow for expansion of an existing CS use onto the undeveloped adjacent Parcel. accommodate Institutional Uses occupying significant land areas but not appropriate for development in the H District or on property designated on the official zoning map as U. They are all Special Purpose Base Districts intended only to provide a suitable classification for land included in a Planned Development approved prior to the Effective Date, expressly not intended for implementation through application to additional land after the Effective Date.

Sustainability Planning of KU West Campus

When examine relationships between the existing land uses/zoning districts and KUs plans for west campus, first, we find a poor function for existing land uses. There is too much inaccessible natural resource out of management. And this confronts the KUs plan’s core‐as providing perfect transportation system with strong pedestrian lines contributed to the main campus as a whole. On the contrary, there are some planned districts (Commercial Development, Residential Development, and Units Development) around and inside of west campus in the zoning map of Lawrence City. These land uses are kept for future development and cater to the KU’s plans for west campus as a long‐term development. To support the sustainability plan in west campus, we can dig out historic items and connect them to natural spaces. Reuse, redevelop, and enhance both KU’s vision and the City of Lawrence vision in future. For example, the west campus has a piece of land for the Pioneer Cemetery. This area is quiet with fantastic scenery containing a special history of the west campus. However, it has been abandoned and leave an inaccessible private land where is hard to figure out. Once when I pass through I didn’t notice that it’s a cemetery. As a spirit to balance ecology, economy and equity, we believe a reuse of this plat could bring a vivid life in west campus. Thus, we could settle up some memorial objects or constructions as well as holding some academic activities in the open spaces of the cemetery. By changing the raw natural resource land to social land use, it will offer a stage to both inside and outside KU.

Lynch Map and Analysis We have a general feeling that the west campus is more likely to be isolated from the main campus, mostly because of Iowa street and 23th street make edges along the boundaries. It has the Lied Center as a most LYNCH MAP OF WEST CAMPUS obvious landmark in this area. For other parts, districts of labs and social institutions combined as mixed land use which works together well. But those districts are far away from natural resource districts. So, green spaces and buildings are separated from each other. Moreover, the creek inside west campus is a barrier for both sides along it. At the same time, since those natural resources (i.e. woody areas & the reservoir) are isolated, they somehow block visions and communications of Source: draw from Arc GIS and Photoshop districts around them. 5

Sustainability Planning of KU West Campus

Goals and Objectives and Policies Goal 1: A walkable pedestrian system with hot spots in the west campus.  Objective 1.1: By 2020, achieve a pedestrian travel at 50 percent of whole staff, faculty and students. Policy 1.1.1: We should designate a Connectivity Index (number of nodes/number of links) which is higher than 1.4.  Objective 1.2: By 2020, set up at least 10 hot spots along pedestrian paths all over the west campus. Policy 1.2.1: We should rebuild some current open spaces to become public places for gathering both tourists and KU members, like the pioneer cemetery, some statues in front of the research buildings and the woody scenery around the reservoir. Goal 2: A high‐technique control system enhances energy saving.  Objective 2.1: By 2020, reduce 5 percent electricity use of computers for one year in the whole campus. Policy 2.1.1: We should build up a central automatic management system which control by cutting of computers’ available hours or openings during vacations. Objective 2.2: By 2020, build up a smart school‐bus information‐station system covering the Lawrence city as a support of walkable situation. Policy 2.2.1: We should build 30 smart bus‐information stations both in and with main campus and the west campus; then, sprawl the system to the whole city. Goal 3: Departments cooperation in sustainability—getting brand new knowledge!  Objective 3.1: By 2015, increase consciousness and knowledge of sustainability in every department. Policy 3.1.1: We should set up a union specifically used for city‐wide academic lectures on sustainability planning. Objective 3.2: By 2015, increase students cooperating projects from different departments. Policy 3.2.1: We should double the number of courses which are open with valid‐credits to every department. Goal 4: Continuous funding comes from both government and KU itself.  Objective 4.1: By 2015, approve a credible budget list of a mature sustainability plan for investments. Policy 4.1.1: We should publish budgets of details of the plan on the city’s newspapers, websites in order to make the budgets transparent.  Objective 4.2: By 2015, build up some commercial areas coherent with pedestrian system and hot spots for raising money by KU itself. Policy 4.2.1: We should set up a series of cafes, restaurants, unique shops with charming open spaces along perfect sidewalks.

Sustainability Planning of KU West Campus

Future Land Use Plan Table of Acreages and Percentages for Each Land Use Classification Land Classification CONSERVATION LAND BUSINESS PARKS/LAB SPACE/RESEARCH SPACE SHOPPING/BUSINESS/TRADE SOCIAL/INSTITUTION/INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE NATURAL RESOURCE CAMPUS LOW‐DENSITY RESIDENTIAL MEDIAN‐DENSITY RESIDENTIAL HIGH‐DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TOTAL

Acreage 34.87 25.40 100.15 43.08 44.31 615.57 177.87 226.12 289.60 65.13 1622.10

Percentage 2.15% 1.57% 6.17% 2.66% 2.73% 37.95% 10.97% 13.94% 17.85% 4.02% 100.00%

We decided to make a sustainable development based on sufficient economic founding from university‐commercial strips, in order to cooperate with social and academic activities; as well as maintain the beautiful sceneries and natural resources for a livable environment. Thus, we plan a series of local commerce fitting the slope topography within a sea of natural views located in the central area. It’s a heart bringing energy to support the nearby campus land and labs land, as a corporation of the campus itself. Then, we remain natural land between campus and residential land as a buffer. Moreover, we plan some conservation lands along the creek sides in residential area to get rid of floodplain and to protect wet land ecology. FUTURE LAND USE MAP

Source: draw from Arc GIS