The University of Texas at Brownsville Draws Upon the Intersection Of
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The University of Texas at Brownsville draws upon the intersection of cultures and languages at the Southern border and Gulf Coast of the United States to develop knowledgeable citizens and emerging leaders who are engaged in the civic life of their community. It embraces teaching excellence, active inquiry, lifelong learning, rigorous scholarship and research in service to the common good. The University promotes the interdisciplinary search for new knowledge that advances social and physical well being and economic development through commercialization while honoring the creative and environmental heritage of its region. CAMPUS MASTER PLAN FOUNDATIONS OF THE MASTER PLAN Core Values Master Plan Themes Student Centered REGIONALLY FOCUSED, GLOBALLY SIGNIFICANT A campus in service of local challenges, translating knowledge Accessibility and innovation into global impact. Innovation Interdisciplinary OWNING OUR GEOGRAPHY A compact, urban campus deeply rooted in the social and cultural Intercultural fabric of South Texas and the Border region. Responsibility Democracy OUR CAMPUS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY A regenerative campus, interweaving learning, research and technologies. The Planning Process and faculty as well as UT System, city and the Board of Regents voted to expand upon regional players. the existing location of the University in The University of Texas at Brownsville downtown Brownsville. is embarking on the most important Introduced by Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa transformation in its history. Currently in the in May 2011, the UT Framework for Advancing As UTB enters into an innovative partnership midst of incredible change, the university has Excellence guides the definition of a future of universities in southern Texas, this master the opportunity to design a highly innovative University that responds to changes in plan positions the University to thrive within future. Guided by visionary leadership and demographics, funding models, global the greater network while also addressing inspired by the hopes and spirit of the people competitiveness and technology. The 21st the immediate and critical needs of the it serves, UT Brownsville will become a model Century University Commission, a regional existing campus. With only approximately institution for the 21st century. engagement initiative in fall 2012, brought 400,000 square feet of academic space and together more than 250 key players from leases from Texas Southmost College ending The transition from a long and successful across the Rio Grande Valley to imagine the in the near future, initiatives are currently partnership with Texas Southmost College potential of UTB. underway to proceed with initial building and to a standalone University within the infrastructure development. University of Texas System has empowered a A Sites Evaluation Study was conducted in multifaceted academic and campus planning conjunction with the UT Office of Real Estate Envisioning the Future of UTB process. This process has engaged a broad to consider the location of a future UTB spectrum of University leadership, students campus for 20,000 students. In May 2013, Built on unique local cultural heritage and in 2 University of Texas at Brownsville Campus Master Plan STAGE ONE STAGE TWO STAGE THREE 2016 2023 2028 $9M $34M Private Federal $12M $70M Research State $14M Local 25% 50% National Local 20,000 Students 15% Mexico Students (FTE) 8,860 15,357 20,000 10% Residential Beds 930 1,930 6,000 International Parking 1,520 3,840 5,000 14% 56% Envelope Renewable Academic GSF 1,700,000 3,000,000 4,000,000 Net Zero Energy 20% Residential GSF 280,000 580,000 1,800,000 HVAC Total Gross Square Feet 1,980,000 3,580,000 5,800,000 10% District Energy Total Acres 80 170 320 service of its community, UTB aspires to be a A model for sustainability legacy of fostering a community that enriches transformational institution and an innovative the regional ecosystem and contributes to environment that acts as a vehicle for A relentless pursuit of a 100% graduation rate global innovation. enduring student success, the translation of Fostering transformational university knowledge into global impact and a catalyst Master Plan Themes experiences for human and economic development. UT Evident in all aspects of the visioning and Brownsville will be a university known as... A convening voice in resolving issues relevant planning process, three themes emerged that to the borderlands and with impact on the A national trendsetter in producing biliterate guide the definition of a campus in support Global South graduates of the mission statement and core values. The principles, strategies and guidelines Academic Mission and Core Values A national trendsetter in graduating next put forth within the master plan are directly generation Latino leaders Beginning with the articulation of the derived from these three themes. Taken UTB mission statement, seven core values together, the characteristics of the master An epicenter of cultural and artistic creativity emerged that would guide the vision and plan express a multifaceted vision that will not only transform the campus physically but A national leader in developing models for planning process. The core values became a ultimately enrich the student experience. an affordable, accessible, and technology- vehicle for discovery and exchange, forming enhanced education that accelerates time-to- the foundation for the vision of a transformed graduation UTB. The academic plan builds upon UTB’s February 2014 3 PRINCIPLES OF CAMPUS DESIGN Translating the academic mission, core values and master plan themes into the physical manifestation of the campus, these six principles of campus design define every aspect of the master plan: Compact Urban Campus Resource Conservation Living Laboratory A Compact Urban Campus creates a high UT Brownsville will employ a variety of Learning and research extends beyond the density, pedestrian friendly, walkable sustainable strategies to achieve net zero classroom, permeating the entire campus. community. consumption of water, energy and waste. 320 Acre Campus Location Interstate 69E Jackson St. Texas Southmost College East 24th St. University Blvd. Ringgold Rd. Border Fence Border Crossing 4 University of Texas at Brownsville Campus Master Plan Mobility Campus as a Destination Campus Life University partnerships with transit agencies Accessible to the greater community of The campus will encompass all aspects will ensure that the campus will be fully the Rio Grande Valley, the campus of UT of student life integrating living, working, connected to the City of Brownsville as well Brownsville will serve as both park and playing and learning. as to the greater Rio Grande Valley. cultural center for the region. Master Plan Land Use Interstate 69E Jackson St. Texas Southmost College East 24th St. University Blvd. Ringgold Rd. Avenida (the campus spine) Academically Oriented Mixed Use Residentially Oriented Mixed Use Student Life Oriented Mixed Use Commercial Oriented Mixed Use Existing Academic Border Fence Existing Residential Border Campus Logistics Crossing Parking Campus Energy/Thermal Plant February 2014 5 A COMPACT, URBAN CAMPUS A compact, urban campus creates a high location, the University will maintain its Campus density, pedestrian friendly, walkable unique relationship with the international Neighborhoods community. border and downtown Brownsville. A total The Avenida 6 area of approximately 320 acres will enable Design for Climate the necessary expansion of the University, 4 in both the built and natural environments. Rooted in the strong urban tradition of 2 1. Plaza del Algodón Bisected by the overpass of Interstate 69E, 2. Main Latin American cities and building upon the 3 3. Centro de las the area is organized into an east and west 7 context of downtown Brownsville, a dense 1 Culturas campus that can be entirely traversed by foot 4. Casa Bella Center grid of streets defines a comfortable and within 25 minutes. 5 5. Ocelot Sanctuary walkable campus environment. A compact, 6. Los Tomates Banco 7. Tamaulipan urban environment responds to a hot and Mixed Use Neighborhoods humid climate and is a necessity within a city The Avenida where land is at a premium. The overall structure of the campus is In support of a walkable environment, conceived as an assembly of distinct yet pedestrian streets are the major organizing Narrow and shaded streets interweave the mission oriented neighborhoods. Enabling element of the campus. The Avenida is the indoors and outdoors and typically converge a diversity of campus experiences, each campus spine that serves as a walkable Main onto a central plaza or square. Within every neighborhood is uniquely defined by Street connecting all campus neighborhoods. urban block, courtyards oriented to the its relationship to edges or landmarks, It accommodates bicycle and campus shuttle prevailing winds and shaded by natural and both natural and urban. In support of a movement alongside the pedestrian ways as built elements provide a diversity of spaces thematically organized academic structure, well as a flowing acequia channel and ample for individual or collaborative activity. every neighborhood embraces a mixed natural shading. Student life functions such use typology that fosters an integrated and Campus Location as residential and student service spaces are energetic environment. placed in close proximity to the Avenida. By expanding upon the current campus The Avenida 6 University of Texas at Brownsville