What Other Universities Are Doing (PDF) - Trent University

SFU UniverCity
Located on top of Burnaby Mountain
Can house 10,000 residents
16,000 total student population
www.univercity.ca
Key Components for Success:
• In the 1990’s SFU created a Community Trust with the intent to
build a community that would generate revenue for the
• University, while still protecting and enhancing the natural
environment
• Developing this land has allowed the University to strengthen
an endowment fund, where UniverCity has been used to
contribute over $25 million towards research and education.
• UniverCity residents are offered free Community Cards, which
provides access to facilities such as the gym, library and pool.
• UniverCity residents also receive discounted tickets to events
such as SFU’s Theatre productions.
• Summer programs for children are also offered as a part of
living in UniverCity.
Amenities:
• Childcare, elementary schools, grocery stores, recreation areas
• Transit oriented development
• Housing is mainly composed of condominiums and townhouse
units
Major Awards:
• Planning Institute of BC Award of Excellence (2012)
• Canadian Institute of Planners (2011)
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Sustainable
Communities Award (2011)
• Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence (2009)
• American Planning Association National Excellence Award for
Innovation in Green Community Planning (2008)
• Association of University Real Estate Officials Award of
Excellence (2005)
David Johnston Research + Technology Park
University of Waterloo
Located on the University of Waterloo’s North Campus.
Designed to accommodate 1.2 million sq ft of office space.
www.uwrtpark.uwaterloo.ca
Key Components for Success:
• One of the largest research parks in Canada at 120 acres
• Capitalizes on the already-established Technology Triangle
of Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge and strengthens the
region’s reputation as a leader in the technology sector
• More than 150 research institutions, 400 high tech and 500
technology services entreprises already exist in the area,
which helps to attract new tenants
• Expected to house thousands of researchers once completed
• Well-serviced by the City of Waterloo buses, and is part of the
proposed route for the new Waterloo Region rapid transit service
• Will create research jobs and boost local and national economies
• An ‘Accelerator Centre’ has been developed to house new and
growing technology businesses
• Tenants are provided with connections to faculty, students, alumni
Management Structure:
• The University’s founders assembled a thousand acre land
bank to use for future growth
• The 1997 University of Waterloo Guidance Statement for the
development of the North Campus set out a vision for the
Research and Technology Park and the rehabilitation and
protection of the Environmental Reserve
• Supported by a partnership between the University of
Waterloo, the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario,
the Region of Waterloo, the City of Waterloo, Communitech
and Canada’s Technology Triangle
Amenities:
• Adjacent to the Environmental Reserve - 109 hectares of land along
the Laurel Creek Corridor that was designated for protection in the
University of Waterloo North Campus Master Plan
• State-of-the-art fibre optic network available to all tenants
Case Studies : Development of a Range of Uses on University Lands

Utown@UBC
Located adjacent to Pacific Spirit Ridge Regional Park &
Musqueam First Nations Lands
Houses 18,000 residents
54,000 total student population
www.planning.ubc.ca/vancouver_home/utown_ubc.php
Key Components for Success:
• The Provincial Government endowed 1,000 acres of land
on which UBC is located. More than half of this land is now
the Pacific Spirit Ridge Regional Park. The remaining land is
the campus core and the new sustainable, live-work-learn
community called UTown@UBC
• Development on University lands by the UBC Properties Trust
has so far generated $506 million
• UTown@UBC has a population of 18,000 and consists of eight
neighbourhoods with a mix of townhouses, condos, parks,
open spaces, trails and community spaces
• A large portion of residents are University staff, faculty and students
• Sustainability and affordability are main priorities - UBC wanted
to reduce the number of students, staff and faculty commuting
to campus and enable them to find appropriate housing
Management Structure:
• Land is leased on a 99 year lease to developers
• The University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA), founded in
2002, represents interests of over 7,500 residents
• The UNA Board of Directors is comprised of elected residents,
two directors appointed by UBC, and one director appointed by
the Alma Mater Society
• The University Neighbourhoods Association is responsible for
local regulation, community programs, elections and by-laws
and acts as a liaison between residents and the University
Amenities:
• Residents have access to transit, daycare and public schools
• the UTown@UBC Community Services Card allows residents
to access University libraries, campus events and recreational
facilities
Village by the Arboretum University of Guelph
Adult-lifestyle community located adjacent to the University
Houses over 1,000 residents
21,000 total student population
www.vba-guelph.org
Key Components for Success:
• The University of Guelph acquired a number of large real estate
properties in the 1960s and established the Real Estate Division in 1986
• The Real Estate Division designated a number of properties
for future development in order to generate revenue for the
Heritage Fund (the University’s endowment fund)
• Before leasing the land, the University conducted thorough
market studies to determine the best use of the site
• The Village by the Arboretum was leased to Reid’s Heritage
Homes on a 50-year head agreement
• Before development began, the University sold 80 lots on the
periphery of the Village to individual purchasers to establish the
development’s boundary, ensure nearby residents were aware
and supportive of development plans, and bring the University
some initial revenue
• A 112 acre adult lifestyle community with extended care facilities
was created in 2002. There are now 492 single-family detached
homes and townhouses, and newly built condominiums
• The development offers a retirement lifestyle in a village
atmosphere, and adjacent to the cultural offerings of the University
Management Structure:
• The Real Estate Division reports at regular intervals to both the
Heritage Fund Board and Board of Governors
• Reid’s Heritage Homes maintains responsibility for project
management, construction, sales and property management
• Homes are sold at a 20-year land lease agreement which is
binding on the purchasers heirs
Amenities:
• Located adjacent to the University’s 500 acre arboretum
• Activities centre, medial centre, fitness facilities, library
• Active residents’ association
Case Studies : Development of a Range of Uses on University Lands