All planning efforts are guided by the FutureVU Guiding Principles created based on feedback from the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø community. The principles state:
-
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø is an internationally recognized research university with strong partnerships among its schools
Strengthen Vanderbilt’s mission of research, teaching and discovery which is integral to its purpose by…
- Considering how best to concentrate those functions central to our academic mission in the central campus area;
- Fostering trans-institutional collaboration, research and development through careful placement of academic and residential buildings throughout campus;
- Carefully placing academic buildings throughout the campus to weave a web of connectivity across various disciplines;
- Establishing and supporting land use plan oversight with a process for continuous and mandatory review to ensure alignment with the Academic Strategic Plan and overall mission of the university.
-
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø is a community of neighborhoods
Encourage distribution of academic and residential buildings throughout the campus in order to expand the social infrastructure of the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø community by…
- Improving the collegiate environment and expanding the notable success of the residential college experience;
- Enhancing opportunities through integrated living-learning environments;
- Creating a distinctive and inclusive residential environment;
- Promoting residential living-learning facilities as self-contained, multi-use residences with unique identities and characters, while recognizing their relationship to the existing campus fabric;
- Improving the connectivity between the neighborhoods that comprise the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø campus.
-
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø is a historic, multi-layered and vigorous campus
Strengthen Vanderbilt’s unique campus character as it evolves by…
- Carefully considering the density of built to open space throughout all areas of campus and striving for a balanced approach based on existing campus densities;
- Ensuring that future development contributes in a positive way to the existing campus environment;
- Ensuring that new buildings embody respectful and appropriate architecture;
- Remaining sensitive to Vanderbilt’s resources and history.
-
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø is a university that resides in a unique and distinctive park setting
Preserve, strengthen and expand Vanderbilt’s aesthetic character by…
- Identifying buildings, open spaces and natural spaces that should be preserved and conserved;
- Identifying memorable spaces and preserving them, while also looking to create additional memorable spaces;
- Recognizing and preserving the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø Arboretum;
- Ensuring that future development reinforces, rather than detracts from, the park setting, via green open spaces and pathways;
- Considering ways to integrate public art along pathways and beautifying pathways through art and landscape;
- Continuing to preserve and expand the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø campus character through regular evaluation of how cars and traffic interact with the campus boundaries and reducing, rather than adding to, the number of roadways.
-
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø is a walkable and sustainable campus
Emphasize ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹Ù꿉۪s walkable campus and enhance the connectivity of all areas of campus by…
- Integrating pedestrian and bicycle circulation into the overall connectivity of the campus community;
- Providing wayfinding that integrates with campus landscape and architecture;
- Reducing vehicular through-traffic on campus;
- Relocating existing, and locating new parking structures and new support structures such as physical plants, to the perimeter of campus when viable;
- Carefully selecting hardscape materials and providing campus lighting promoting safety and ensuring harmonious interaction other campus materials;
- Achieving the highest standards of sustainability through a process of environmental, social and economic responsibility and accountability.
-
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø is a citizen of Nashville and the region
Contribute to the intellectual and cultural life of the region, and promote sustainable behavior and practices by…
- Remaining committed to Vanderbilt’s mission of serving humanity by being responsible to the environment and surrounding community;
- Establishing design, construction, landscape, and sustainability guidelines that support the mission of the university;
- Emphasizing the importance of healthy and sustainable design principles in both building design and outdoor environments;
- Developing and transferring knowledge, increasing awareness, and promoting lifelong learning about sustainable best practices to benefit the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø, local, state and national communities;
- Partnering with local and regional agencies to address key issues that affect the citizens of Nashville and the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø community;
- Playing a role in discussions regarding community building efforts and continuing to form connections with the Nashville community