Land Use – Green Spaces
The following diagram from the 2004 Campus Master Plan Update highlights the changes in land use identified between 1997 and 2004. This land use strategy is consistent with our sustainability goals. Open and Green Spaces are preserved as are recreation, Student Support and Auxiliaries and Athletics. Academic Instruction and Research is expanded. Streets and Surface Parking are reduced.
The 2004 Campus Master Plan Update specified that the 1997 parking which consisted of 6300 surface spaces and 6950 structural spaces would be converted to 3000 surface, 6950 structural spaces and 5250 additional structural spaces. We will keep our targeted 52 parking spaces per 100 student, faculty and staff. We are implementing this updated plan and are on target for 46 parking spaces per 100 students, faculty and spaces.
Street and Parking will become only 11% of the campus surface, instead of the 20% it was of our 1997 campus configuration. This is one of the largest changes in land use in the 2004 Campus Master Plan update.
Acres of Native plantings
"The Green Book" is Tech's Landscape Standard and is the green campus equivalent to the "Yellow Book".
There is growing interest in the use of native plants in the landscape:
- Aesthetic: Beauty, interesting or unusual forms; and connection to the natural environment.
- Environment: Reduced water use; less need for pesticides and fertilizers; and enhanced habitat for butterflies, birds and other wildlife.
- Maintenance: Lower long term maintenance costs; increased plant hardiness; and less work.
