The following planning principles are intended to help guide the development of NYU Plans 2031:
- Maintain campus core for academic and student-serving uses
As NYU continues its pursuit of academic excellence, facilities nearest NYU’s core should be maintained for uses which most directly impact the quality of the learning environment. Academic and key student-oriented uses should take priority over administrative uses, which may be more appropriately situated further away from the core. Additionally, more diverse housing opportunities might be offered to faculty outside Greenwich Village. - Maximize the benefit of existing assets
Given the challenges of the New York City real estate environment, NYU should first look to maximize the utility of its existing facilities and sites in accommodating additional space needs. Potential options include utilizing allowed floor area, more efficient classroom scheduling, co-locating synergistic programs, enhancing building efficiency, and alternative workplace strategies. - Respect the character of surrounding neighborhoods
NYU has been a part of the Greenwich Village community since the University’s first building was constructed along Washington Square Park in 1834. The Village’s dynamic and vibrant culture and historic architecture offer an important context, which must be considered in any strategic vision for the future. - Engage the community
NYU greatly benefits from its location within New York City and its relationship to the surrounding community. As NYU develops a vision for the future of the University, it looks to meaningfully engage the community in the planning process, with the goal of establishing a transparent and predictable framework for future projects. - Create active mixed-use environments
NYU's lively campus environment relies on actively used buildings and streetscapes. To continue to foster these environments, individual buildings should support multiple compatible uses, concentrating the most public and community-oriented uses along the street. - Promote environmentally sustainable design
NYU is committed to being a responsible global citizen and recently launched the Green Action Plan, which will include an assessment of existing sustainability efforts and recommendations for improving the University’s environmental footprint. The University launched this program with an announcement of its plans to purchase wind-generated power, making it the largest purchaser among the nation’s educational institution. Future campus plans should build on these efforts, integrating environmentally sustainable design and building practices into all aspects of campus development. - Preserve and protect historic resources
The Washington Square area includes countless historic buildings and a number of historic districts, which greatly contribute to NYU’s unique campus environment. As stewards of these historic resources, the University must ensure that they are maintained and preserved for future generations. - Showcase leading-edge urban and architectural design
As a major global university, NYU’s campus should demonstrate its urban commitment and academic excellence through architecture and urban design of the highest quality. NYU’s densely-built campus offers a dynamic but complex planning and design environment that invites creative and visionary solutions for future growth. - Respect the limitations of the Urban Environment
NYU will respect the urban environment by taking into consideration the impact of new projects on New York Ciy's infrastructure including energy, transportation, and open space needs.* - Support Community Sustainability
NYU will seek to support the existing diverse social and economic character of the area through working with the community on efforts to sustain local retail, community services, and affordable housing.* - Create additional gathering and green spaces
NYU will strive to improve and enhance the gathering and green spaces in its core campus to better serve its students and the surrounding community.* - *Principles suggested by the Community Taskforce and incorporated by NYU.