Columbia University Expansion - Reweaving the Urban Fabric

Columbia University Expansion project is a $6.3 billion development consisting of 16 new buildings to accommodate academic, administrative and campus housing facilities.  The development will occupy 17 acres in the West Harlem section of Manhattanville.  “Today, an urban campus isn't defined by gates and walls, but by weaving the university into the fabric of city life.”

Columbia University has assembled an internationally famous team of architects, headed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop for its master plan.  Jerome L. Greene Science Center, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Davis Brody Bond, is expected to be completed soon, with the entire campus slated for completion by 2030.

Following urban design principles have been used in the master plan for this campus:

·         1 Revival of street life by encouraging retail stores for consumers and businesses.

·         2 Preservation of existing streets for pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

·        3 Focus on human-scale urban design that honors the past. 

Reference:  Manhattanville in West Harlem, Columbia University, http://neighbors.columbia.edu/pages/manplanning/proposed_plan/DesignElements.html
 

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