Campus Vision 2050 Implementation

Policy updates will enable new, flexible, collaborative academic facilities to support learning, teaching, and discovery, and support the operations of the university. More detailed plans for key campus areas (e.g., campus core) and corridors (e.g., Main Mall) will provide further guidance on how buildings, services, amenities, green and open space and supporting infrastructure come together to create a vibrant campus experience.

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Ongoing / recently completed:

• Gordon B. Shrum Building: a new interdisciplinary state-of-the-art biomedical engineering research and collaboration space (completed in 2024)
• Gateway Health Building: a new signature facility, integrating health-science teaching and research programs with student health services (completion expected in late 2025)
• Sauder School of Business expansion: new spaces for classrooms, offices, amenities, and collaborative learning, and an Indigenous centre and (completion expected in 2027)
• Gateway North: next to the bus exchange, a new medical research lab space (completion expected in 2027)
• South Campus Works Yard expansion: to improve facilities and support the operational needs of the campus (completion expected in 2026)

Coming soon:

• Chemistry (Science Central One): a new teaching and laboratory complex to replace three of the Chemistry Complex’s older buildings (future)
• Applied One: a new centre for the Faculty of Applied Science, including interdisciplinary maker, research, and learning spaces (future)
• Medicine One: a new innovative medical research, teaching, and collaboration space (future)

Draft planning directions:

• Protecting large sites for future teaching, learning, and research facilities
• New guidelines for urban design, open space and ecological considerations to support taller buildings on the academic campus
• Continuing to enable mixed-use projects, (e.g., Gateway North) and student housing hubs
• Creating new accessibility guidelines for buildings
• Encouraging informal and flexible learning spaces, such as outdoor classrooms and study areas, aligning with modern educational needs and fostering a collaborative learning environment
• Preserving space for land-based research and outdoor recreation
• Preserving space for campus operations
• Reinforcing the distinctive character of the campus, protecting view corridors, identifying signature building sites and gateways, activate the ground floor and streetscapes, provide architectural expression and more
• Providing a clear and transparent development review process  

Key implementing documents:

• Vancouver Campus Plan
• UBC Five-Year Capital Plan
• Accessible Building Guidelines
• Technical Guidelines 

Policy updates will enable more on-campus affordable housing options for students, faculty, and staff, in line with Campus Vision 2050’s and the Housing Action Plan’s goals for affordability and accessibility. Updates will also enable more essential services (e.g., child care, emergency services) and community amenities (e.g., recreation, cultural spaces) to foster a vibrant, livable and inclusive campus community.

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Ongoing and Recently completed:

• Completion of Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan amendment: enabling 2,100 new housing units and a small community hub of amenities
• Delivery of new rental units (including discount faculty-staff housing) in Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood   
• Recreation Centre North: providing more than 9,000 sq. m (about 100,000 sq. ft.) of activity space supporting fitness, physical activity and recreation

Coming soon:

• Two new child care facilities in Wesbrook Place South (first completion expected in 2026)
• New child care facility at Orchard Commons (potential completion expected in 2026, pending funding)
• New grocery store on the lower floors of Gateway North, next to the bus exchange (completion expected in 2028)
• St. John’s College redevelopment, enabling ~1,500 student housing beds and relocation of the historic Fire Hall as a social space (completion expected in 2029)
• Wesbrook Place South: an expanded neighbourhood area with housing and amenities for around 4,600 people (future)
• Public Safety Site redevelopment, including expanded fire, police and ambulance facilities and new housing (future)

Draft planning directions:

• Identifying sites for future student housing, including mixed use hubs and intensification of existing sites, beyond the Housing Action Plan target of at least 17,300 beds  
• New guidelines for urban design, open space and ecological considerations to support taller buildings on the academic campus (enabled by the updated Land Use Plan)
• Requiring all new academic capital projects to consider child care in their programs, supported by an updated Child Care Expansion Plan  
• Continuing to enable mixed uses to support more colocation of amenities, such as indoor and outdoor social, study and recreation space, where people live, work and study.  
• Continuing to advocate for the timely delivery of a new elementary school in Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood and coordination with external infrastructure and service providers  

Key implementing documents:

• Vancouver Campus Plan  
• Housing Action Plan
• Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan  
• Child Care Expansion Plan

Ongoing public realm improvements and plans and policies enable the preservation and enhancement of green spaces, and establish new requirements for ecological sustainability and climate resilience (e.g., tree replacement, native and climate resilient plants, etc.).

A new Biodiversity Strategy outlines UBC’s biodiversity priorities and highlights how and where this work is happening, and an updated Integrated Rainwater Management Plan plans for rainwater management under future climate conditions. 

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Ongoing work:

• Restoring public open spaces including native, Musqueam territory, and resilient, drought-tolerant plant species (e.g., Campus meadows)
• Enhancing ecological connectivity throughout the campus via smaller-scale landscapes and those associated with capital projects (e.g., University Boulevard Meadow, Reconciliation Pole Meadow, etc.)  

Coming soon:

• Transitioning University Boulevard at Place Vanier to be a major pedestrian route, free of vehicular traffic, with reforestation and rain gardens (potential completion in 2029, pending funding)
• Revitalizing the Bosque as an ecological park with understory plantings, low-impact pathways, and rainwater management (future)
• A new ecological park in Wesbrook Place South protecting and connecting people with nature (future)
• Increasing Musqueam presence through art and paving choices in Koerner Plaza (future)
• Increasing biodiversity in the Rose Garden and improving its connection to the surrounding forest (future)

Draft planning directions:

• Protecting high-value ecological areas (e.g., campus forests) and restoring them over time
• Requiring projects to respond thoughtfully to their specific location within the campus landscape, starting with a thorough site analysis early in the process
• Updating tree replacement policies to meet the campus tree canopy target
• Prioritizing resilient, drought-tolerant species that reflect local climate, character and ecosystems  
• Integrating rainwater management features into future landscape and public realm projects to realize biodiversity co-benefits (e.g., habitat creation)
• Updating lighting guidelines to ensure safety and comfort throughout public open spaces  

Key implementing documents:

• Vancouver Campus Plan  
• Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan  
• Biodiversity Strategy  
• Integrated Rainwater Management Plan  
• Technical Guidelines

Ongoing partnerships and draft plans and policies will see improvements to transportation infrastructure, including preparations for the arrival of SkyTrain, and increased sustainable and efficient mobility options.  

The Campus Plan and neighbourhood plans address the layout and configuration of the transportation network, and the UBC Vancouver Transportation Plan establishes transportation-related objectives, strategies, actions and targets. 

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Ongoing work:

• Partnering with the Government of BC and other jurisdictions to accelerate delivery of the Millennium Line UBC SkyTrain Extension
• Increasing shared micromobility options (e.g., Mobi bike share)

Coming soon:

• New two-way separated bike path on Binning Road in Wesbrook Place (completion expected in 2026)
• West 16th Avenue and Binning Road intersection improvements (completion expected 2026)
• Increased shared micromobility across the campus (ongoing)
• Piloting separated bike lanes on West Mall for faster cycling outside of the pedestrian core (pilot expected in 2027)
• Wesbrook Mall bus and bike lane improvements (Phase 4 completion expected in 2028)
• New road connecting to West Parkade as part of St. John’s College redevelopment (completion expected in in 2029)
• East Mall and Thunderbird Blvd: expanding on-campus transit services and protected cycling facilities, integrated with future rapid transit (future)
• Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) corridors: working with MoTT to explore separated cycling facilities on Marine Drive, West 16th Avenue, University Blvd, and Chancellor Blvd (future)

Draft planning directions:

• Preserving space for the future integration of rapid transit  
• Enhancing cycling routes, secure bike parking, and end-of-trip facilities across the campus
• Expanding the pedestrian-priority zone in balance with emergency, operations, and accessibility needs  
• Ensuring accessible parking stalls are within approximately 100 metres of all academic buildings  
• Designing “complete streets” that provide safe and comfortable movement for all users  
• Expanding sustainable transportation programs and incentives (e.g., shared micromobility, discounted transit passes, e-bike rebates, carpool programs)  
• Reinforcing and expanding upon existing sustainable transportation targets (e.g., two-thirds of all trips to and from campus by sustainable transportation modes by 2040)  
• Centering equity, affordability and accessibility considerations in the planning and implementation of transportation initiatives  

Key implementing documents:

• UBC Vancouver Transportation Plan
• Vancouver Campus Plan
• Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan  

Policy updates alongside ongoing work in the public realm and on capital projects, will continue to enhance Musqueam values on campus through landscape strategies co-developed with Musqueam representatives, including Musqueam art, increasing native and ethnobotanical plantings, highlighting experiential knowledge in landscapes, recalling historic places of significance and more.

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Ongoing and recently completed:

• Campus Meadows: restoring public open spaces incorporating native and Musqueam territory, and low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant species (ongoing since 2024)
• Beaty Biodiversity Museum landscape: incorporating Musqueam presence strategies for planting and landscape design (completed in 2025)
• Gateway Health Building: a new signature mass timber building, which involved Musqueam representatives in the design process, and incorporates Musqueam values including plantings with cultural significance, use of natural materials, filtered daylight, and indoor and outdoor Musqueam artwork (completion expected in late 2025)
• Museum of Anthropology landscape renewal: co-created by Musqueam and UBC, a new vision for the museum’s exhibit landscape to better represent Musqueam territory, traditions and culture, as a river estuary (completed in 2025)

Coming soon:

• St. John’s College redevelopment, including key features that incorporate Musqueam values, such as forest character, showcasing rainwater capture and use of native planting (completion expected in 2029)
• West 16th Ave roundabout: reimagining this campus gateway to increase Musqueam visual identity through signage, language, art, iconography and indigenous plantings (future)
• Wesbrook Place South Rainwater Pond, managing rainwater quality and quantity and mitigating downstream impacts (future)
• Koerner Plaza and Rose Garden, increasing Musqueam presence through new paving, art, and increasing biodiversity (future)

Draft planning directions:

• Identifying public open spaces (e.g., Bosque, ecological parks) to be restored incorporating native and Musqueam territory, and low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant species  
• Emphasizing restoration, stewardship, and Musqueam values in open space planning and design
• Establishing ratios for native and Musqueam territory plants for each landscape typology.  
• Managing water quality and quantity to mitigate downstream impacts within the watershed
• Updating UBC’s Heritage Policy to include Musqueam heritage and culture
• Developing archaeological management guidelines to manage archaeological resources on campus
• Working with Musqueam representatives to increase Musqueam visual identity and provide a Musqueam welcome to the campus

Key implementing documents:

• Vancouver Campus Plan
• Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan
• Biodiversity Strategy
• Integrated Rainwater Management Plan

As UBC continues to implement Climate Action Plan 2030 (CAP) and Neighbourhood Climate Action Plan (NCAP), recently completed and draft policy updates further support climate action for UBC Vancouver buildings, landscapes, infrastructure and communities.  

As UBC continues to implement Climate Action Plan 2030 (CAP) and Neighbourhood Climate Action Plan (NCAP), recently completed and draft policy updates further support climate action for UBC Vancouver buildings, landscapes, infrastructure and communities.  

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Ongoing / recently completed:

• Implementing CAP and NCAP
• Updating REAP, including adoption of the Zero Carbon Step of BC’s Zero Carbon Step Code, and new requirements for wildfire risk reduction, energy efficient cooling, and more, for new developments in UBC Vancouver’s neighbourhoods.
• Campus Meadows: restoring public open spaces including native, Musqueam territory, and resilient, drought-tolerant plant species (ongoing)
• Campus Energy Centre expansion: a critical step in achieving UBC’s Climate Action 2030 campus operational emissions target (future)
• Student Union Boulevard landscape: incorporating green rainwater infrastructure (completion expected in 2025)

Coming soon:

• St. John’s College redevelopment, including green rainwater infrastructure (completion expected in 2029)
• Revitalization of the Bosque, including natural rainwater management (future)
• Public Safety Site Redevelopment: partnering with the Province of BC to expand fire, police and ambulance facilities and new housing (future)
• Fire breaks and buffer area next to Pacific Spirit Regional Park in Wesbrook Place South, (ongoing and future)
• Rainwater detention pond expansion and creation of engineered wetland in Wesbrook Place South (future)

Draft planning directions:

• Implementing larger-scale green rainwater infrastructure  projects (e.g., dry ponds), and smaller-scale green rainwater infrastructure (e.g., rain gardens) to mitigate downstream impacts and provide biodiversity and other benefits
• Planning for wildfire risk reduction and response, including fire breaks, fire-resistant and non-combustible building materials, FireSmart landscapes, and emergency response
• Creating more continuous shade in public open spaces, especially along active transportation routes

Key implementing documents:

• Climate Action Plan
• Neighbourhood Climate Action Plan (NCAP)
• Green Building Action Plan
• Residential Environmental Assessment Program (REAP)
• Integrated Rainwater Management Plan
• Biodiversity Strategy
• Vancouver Campus Plan
• Technical Guidelines
• Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan 

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• Vancouver Campus Plan (update underway) — Focuses on the academic campus and provides direction for academic and research buildings, student housing, community amenities (e.g., child care and recreation facilities), green and open spaces, campus character and design, and coordinating with supporting infrastructure (e.g., streets, energy, and rainwater systems). It also provides high-level direction for neighbourhoods to inform future UBC neighbourhood plans.
• UBC Vancouver Transportation Plan (update underway) — Focuses on supporting people in how they get to, from and around campus, articulates transportation-related objectives and targets and identifies strategies and actions to achieve these, and responds to recent and upcoming updates to UBC policies (e.g., Climate Action Plan 2030) and recent and emerging regional transportation plans and projects (e.g., Transport 2050 and UBC SkyTrain Extension).  
• Biodiversity Strategy (development underway) — Outlines goals, objectives priorities, and actions for enhancing biodiversity and ecological health, including how existing and future work, including research, aligns with Campus Vision 2050 and UBCs 20-Year Sustainability Strategy.
• Child Care Expansion Plan (update underway)— Identifies objectives and opportunities for the delivery of child care spaces in the academic and neighbourhood lands to keep pace with a growing community.
• Integrated Rainwater Management Plan (update underway) — Identifies strategies for future development to support the natural hydrological cycle, support climate resilience, prevent cliff erosion, while providing co-benefits such as habitat creation and open space amenities for the campus community.
• Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan Update (update complete) — The 2025 update expanded the neighbourhood boundary to add Wesbrook Place South, enabling the completion of Wesbrook Place over the next decade, including more UBC housing, new amenities and services to keep pace with growth, open and green spaces, child care, and transportation improvements.  
• Planning for Community Amenities and Services (development complete) —  Describes how current amenities and services at the UBC Vancouver campus and neighbourhoods compare with established targets and regional examples, and summarizes the approach for continued delivery to keep pace with growth. It covers amenities planned and delivered by UBC, and services delivered by external partners.