2.3 Urban Design Element
Data and Analysis
2005-2015 Campus Master Plan Update
a) Existing Development in the Campus Context Area
Orange County designates the University as Institutional Future Land Use and the area in which the University is situated has been identified, by Orange County Planners, as an “Activity Center”; a term used to classify areas undergoing increasing growth and high density development. This growth, of which UCF has been a catalyst for, has brought to the area a mixed range of development, including: high-tech industries, commercial development, office parks, and a burgeoning housing market.
a)1. Campus Open Spaces Structure
Open space areas on campus are
shaped by the building and landscape which surrounds them.
The
space
between the Library and the Administration Building
is both defined
by the two buildings and landscape features, and has a visual sequence, from the
Central Florida Boulevard entrance to the spaces flanking it.
a)2. Campus Visual Structure
Permanent buildings on campus range in height from one to five stories. The exteriors of these buildings are predominantly brick. Architectural details, done in concrete and some curtain wall areas, are the only general exceptions. The predominance of brick, accompanied by the relative scale of the buildings on campus, help create a significant level of visual continuity. The campus is shaped by the natural landscape from which it has been carved. It is structured so that all academic and administrative buildings lie within an area (the Academic Core) between the 400 and 1200 foot circles radiating from the center of campus. Residential buildings lie outside the 1200 foot radius and are bounded on the outside by Gemini Boulevard. Athletic facilities lie outside Gemini Boulevard, and are mostly found in the southern part of campus, with the exception of the Fieldhouse and track facility located on the northeastern part of campus.
The UCF main campus is defined on all sides by a landscape buffer, with the only visual breaks into it occurring at the entrances into campus; which in turn help define these entrances.
b) High Activity Building and Spaces
Recreation Center
Student Union
Phillips Hall Kiosk
Sidewalk north of Chemistry
Reflecting Pond between the Library and Administration
South Entrance to the Library
Breezeway dorm mailboxes
Entry to Student Center across from activities desk
Sidewalk between dorms and Oasis
Green area north of Student Center
Lake Claire
As a general note, those spaces activated by their vicinity to the Student
c) Existing Functional Linkages
Automobile
All vehicular access to the
campus is through University Boulevard, Alafaya Trail,
and
Research Park, and
McCulloch Road.
Accessibility to the
main campus from the eleven county service area and the area campuses is through
various major roadways including I-4, the Beeline Expressway, the East-West
Expressway, and State Road 50. University Boulevard is considered to the main
vehicular entry into campus. Centaurus Drive, Gemini Boulevard North, and
Central Florida Boulevard are the other important formal entrances. The Central
Florida entry displays the most formalized type of entry into the campus,
because of its axial relationship.
Pedestrian Hazards are created whenever vehicular circulation crosses parking lots, as it does in many instances throughout campus. The breakdown of Gemini Boulevard on the eastern part of the University contributes greatly to one such conflict. Other similar conflicts occur when service vehicles invade the pedestrian rings.
Bicycle
Bicycle transportation provides many students with an economical and efficient source of transportation, due to the proximity of off-campus housing. There are many bicycle paths found throughout campus including those flanking Libra Drive and Gemini Boulevard North, and going from Alafaya Trail along Central Florida Boulevard to the Administration Building.
Pedestrian
The campus of UCF was planned and developed with the pedestrian in mind, and based on a maximum walking time of eight minutes to the center of campus. The 1200 foot radius outer (Apollo) ring was implemented to serve this purpose, with the 800 foot radius inner (Mercury) ring providing a five minute walking trip to the campus center. A third ring (Pegasus) on a 400 foot radius is the only one completed, and marks the center of campus. Secondary pedestrian paths provide access between buildings throughout campus (Figure 3.5).
Transit
UCF is meeting time demand for transportation of its students. The UCF Shuttle Transportation System serves many local student residential communities providing safe and convenient transportation services to and from the main campus of UCF. The transportation service allows students to leave their vehicles at their place of residence. There is no per trip cost to ride and students have the available benefit of central access in the core facilities of the campus. The campus destination points are strategically selected to allow students a short distance to classrooms or campus activities.
d) Character of Existing Context Area
UCF is bordered by areas classified for diverse use. On its southern border lies the Central Florida Research Park, whose designation is mainly for high-tech industrial use. Small commercial areas, multi-family housing, and vacant land are found to the west of Alafaya Trail, and south of University Boulevard. A planned development called the Quadrangle exists to the north of University Boulevard. This complex is made up of a mix of offices, commercial areas and hotel facilities. The demand for space will undoubtably perpetuate as more corporations relocate to the UCF area.
e) An analysis of the evolution of the development pattern of University buildings and open spaces.
1. There has been significant development on campus since 2000. The Wayne Densch Sports Center Building was built in the north section of campus, adjacent to North Orion Boulevard. The Burnett Honors College Building was added to the west of the Student Center and the Teaching Center Academy was added near the Education Complex. Additionally, parking garages have been and are continuing to be built around the campus. Most of this new development has been spreading concentrically from the original campus development.
2. As program needs continue to demand more academic and support space on campus, development should respect the evolution around the circular pattern of the campus, while maintaining a relatively dense pattern. Particular attention should be paid to the creation of attractive open spaces, reinforced by careful site-planning. Of important concern is the preservation and enhancement of axial pedestrian links to and from the center of campus, which work to create long views and facilitate wayfinding on campus.
3. Please refer to the 1995 analysis for further information.
f) An identification of and assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of alternative spatial configurations by which future development on the campus may be organized. This analysis shall include consideration of methods to improve energy efficiency and alternatives for coordinating the pattern of buildings and spaces along the University/community boundary (graphic and companion narrative).
1. Buildings should be organized in a way which complement and frame the open spaces around them. The careful creation of open spaces provides the framework for memorable sacred places on campus, and provides a context for future program and the pedestrian experience on campus. The importance of these spaces cannot be underestimated, and indeed become the catalyst around which future buildings and pathways respond to and are mindful of.
2. An opportunity for this type of development is along the northeast axial, currently serving as temporary parking. Buildings along its edge would reinforce the important axial relation to the center that it has, as well as provide definition for quad-like open spaces along the middle. A parking garage could be placed just to the southeast, providing support to both the new academic area and the arena. This axial quad could be continued across the student union and mirrored as the front door to the campus where the Student Support Center is currently being shown.
3. Spatial configurations mentioned above are important for place making and establishing pedestrian importance on a college campus. Axial relationships to the center of campus should be enforced and in fact programmed in future growth framework- while maintaining the circular paths and roadways important to the history of the University of Central Florida.
g) An identification and assessment of alternative future activity location and linkage concepts for the campus and the context area (graphic and companion narrative).
1. The opening of the Academic Villages housing complex and new recreation Center south of the Student Resource Center (SRC) created a new activity center. Links to the center of campus from this area should be reinforced, particularly through the SRC. Furthermore, in addition to the proposed northeast academic spine, the area at the north end of Central Florida Boulevard provides an excellent opportunity for future development. Integration of a Student Support Center and academic buildings around an open green space would activate that area of campus and present a collegiate entranceway to the college.
2. Please refer to the 1995 analysis for additional information.