Background

UBC has a vision to inspire people, ideas and actions for a better world. How UBC delivers on this mission is changing in response to innovations in pedagogy, technology, demand and research needs. Supporting the academic mission and adapting to a changing teaching and learning landscape will require a flexible approach to planning academic spaces on campus. Beyond providing the physical space, the campus lands will continue to play a critical financial role in supporting the academic mission, including funding academic initiatives and housing for the UBC community.;

UBC is fortunate to be located in an ecologically rich, biodiverse environment, which supports ecosystem services that are fundamental to social, economic and ecological wellbeing. The challenge is to create an urban environment that protects and enriches biodiversity. Harnessing the unique environment of the campus, as well as Indigenous knowledge and the expertise of the university community will increase the ecological viability of the campus, support ecosystem services and increase the social wellbeing of the campus community.

UBC Vancouver is located in one of the world’s least affordable regions. The rising cost of living in Metro Vancouver, and of housing in particular, threatens UBC’s ability to recruit and retain faculty and staff and is making a UBC education less accessible. UBC plays a role in addressing this crisis, not only for the university community, but as a major institution and employer in the region.

Climate change poses a direct threat to life on the planet and the stability of social, economic, political and ecological systems. Climate change and environmental harms are known to affect marginalized and underprivileged people disproportionately and to compound and magnify existing inequalities. Building upon past policies and action, UBC’s Climate Action Plan 2030 established bold targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions. UBC is uniquely positioned to plan for and adapt to the changing climate, while also drawing on the expertise of students, faculty and staff to continue to be a role model in GHG reductions.

UBC Vancouver’s daytime population has grown from about 60,000 students, faculty, residents, staff and visitors in 2010 to an estimated 80,000 people in 2023. The university projects growth to around 100,000 people by 2050, reflecting new and expanded campus neighbourhoods and increasing enrolment and employment. Campus population growth parallels that of the Metro Vancouver region, which is expected to reach 3.8 million people by 2050. Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy directs future development to existing urban areas, including UBC, to preserve ecological habitat and farm lands

Like other institutions and organizations around the world, UBC has grappled with the health, social and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. While campus life has returned to near pre-pandemic activity levels, COVID-19 has nonetheless challenged patterns and paradigms for learning, living and working, and offers opportunities to reduce commuting-related emissions and provide more flexible teaching, learning and working arrangements.

UBC must be responsive to accelerating rates of technological change in how it plans academic facilities and neighbourhoods. It must adapt to and take advantage of digitization and smart technologies, remote learning and work, e-commerce, the sharing economy, artificial intelligence, automation and the Internet of things, among other potentially disruptive innovations.

In 2021, the western heat dome became the deadliest weather event in Canadian history, causing 619 heatrelated deaths. Extreme heat, smoke pollution from forest fires and other potentially devastating and deadly weather and climate related events are increasing in frequency and severity. Campus planning can help mitigate the health and wellbeing impacts associated with such events.

Major new public transit solutions are needed across Metro Vancouver to solve significant mobility and connectivity challenges. Of particular significance to the UBC community and future campus land use planning, the region has prioritized extending the Millennium Line SkyTrain to UBC. The UBC Extension will improve access to education and employment on campus and housing off campus and help the university meet its ambitious GHG reduction targets.

UBC’s Trek Endowment Fund includes investment income on the sales of pre-paid 99-year residential leases and the proceeds from commercial and residential market rental. It provides stable and enduring financial support for the university’s research, academic programs and students. By leasing the land, rather than selling it, UBC generates investment income from the revenue while preserving both the land and the revenue it generates in perpetuity and for the benefit of current and future generations. The land will continue to provide opportunities to help meet the needs of the university and the community, including supporting academic excellence, building more housing for UBC students, faculty and staff, bringing SkyTrain to UBC, and enhancing amenities and infrastructure. The challenge is to support the significant financial demands of these needs while building livable, thriving residential neighbourhoods and addressing the other opportunities and challenges facing the campus. At the same time, UBC must grapple with the implications and tensions inherent in a financial model that perpetuates a cycle of growth and development to support its needs.