University of the Sciences: A Prescription for Woodland Avenue

PROJECT SUMMARY
Nestled between the Woodlands and Clark Park in the southeastern corner of Philadelphia's University City District, the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP) has held a distinguished reputation of educating students for successful and rewarding careers in the thriving pharmaceutical, science, and health care industries for nearly two centuries. Up to the year 2000, planning initiatives have not been a critical issue for the University. However, in order to effectively respond to rapid campus growth and adjacent revitalizing neighborhoods, it has now become essential to develop a master plan for the campus.

In coordination with the University's Community Partnerships Offi ce, this workshop group has developed a plan to answer the concerns of the University as they relate to the built environment. This project will continue to promote the University's Image and Identity in both the neighboring community and academia. The recommendations made here will coordinate the physical expansion needs of the campus, the growing commercial/retail needs of its student population, and the impact of these on the surrounding neighborhoods. Often referred to as a "Town-Gown" plan, the primary objective of this endeavor is to develop a plan and implementation strategy that:

1. Locates needed on- and off-campus facilities and strengthens the connections among them.

2. Strengthens campus identity and perceptions of student safety

3. Identifies and locates student-oriented commercial development opportunities (primarily along Woodland Ave.) that integrate with both the campus and adjacent neighborhoods

4. Identifies partnership opportunities and defi nes USP's role in insuring continued revitalization of adjacent neighborhoods