“I do not mean that we should set apart distinct pieces of ground for each of these buildings…but that a general plan and scheme be adopted in accordance with which such structures may be brought into proper relations to each other and to the buildings already erected.” --A.D. White 1885
In announcing the Cornell Master Plan (CMP), Stephen Golding, EVP for Finance and Administration, stated: "The plan will be driven by academic priorities and support the goals and aspirations of the university as it guides the campus's physical development over the next 10 to 25 years. The continuing evolution of the campus presents both opportunities and challenges. A long-term plan will help ensure we capitalize on the former and overcome the latter. While we have a remarkable campus, we want to make it better -- for our students, our faculty, our staff and our neighbors."
The scope of the plan, due for completion in 2007, will be broad, addressing all facets of the physical campus, including the way Cornell uses its land, the arrangement and scale of buildings, and the nature and function of the landscape. The transportation network, the various utility systems and academic space programming also will be important considerations. The CMP will incorporate other planning efforts currently under way by the university's Transportation and Utilities departments, as well as major ongoing or proposed projects, including the new Life Sciences Technology Building now under construction.
The CMP will set the context for physical changes on campus to realize the university's research, teaching, residential and recreational priorities. The plan also will respond to the unique natural setting of the campus and the character of surrounding neighborhoods. Planning principles, a physical framework and design guidelines will provide a basis for future development decisions. Finally, the plan will serve as a larger frame of reference for precinct plans and other focused planning goals and initiatives.
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