Goals + Guiding Principles

Five overarching goals and guiding principles have been established through consultation with key stakeholder groups. Together, these principles offer a rich vision that can be considered the starting point for the design process. Proposals submitted within the framework of the Visionary (re)Generation Open International Design Competition will adhere to these five core project principles.

Connected: Network the Campus, Connect to the City
An active transportation network will connect all areas within the campus and provide a fluid link between the university’s public amenities and adjacent neighbourhoods. Active transportation routes will span the boundary between city and university, making human-powered mobility a viable, attractive option in all seasons. Placement of rapid transit stations will be leveraged to facilitate dense nodes of new development and provide a seamless link from the campus to the rest of the city.

Destination: Reasons to Come and Reasons to Stay
A rich diversity of places to live, work, learn and play will transform the university from a commuter campus to a destination in its own right. A focus on creating an outstanding public realm becomes the framework around which the campus can change and grow, always offering a thriving urban culture that is both remarkable and unique. By focusing on synergies, distinctiveness and fundamental differences, the Fort Garry Campus Plan will fuel qualitative changes for the University and the communities in which it resides.

Sustainable: Campus as a Living Lab
The University of Manitoba is committed to sustainability from an ecological, social and economic standpoint. The University views these three dimensions of sustainability as interrelated and mutually supportive. Viewing the campus as a living lab opens up new opportunities to apply innovative design, technology and research within the campus environment. The landscape, public realm and built form visibly demonstrate sustainability and provide opportunities for individuals and communities to learn and grow.

Community: Build for Density, Design for People
Designs will focus on a compact network of spatially-rich public places that encourage social interaction and create an accessible, inclusive, stimulating environment for all. Features and amenities will meet a broad range of needs for a diverse community, and will reflect the university’s multicultural population and Manitoba’s Indigenous peoples.

Transformative: Research, Learning, Working and Living
By enhancing the campus experience and becoming a nationally recognized leader in innovative environmental design, the University becomes better positioned to attract and retain students and faculty, and further strengthen its reputation both at home and abroad. The University will further fulfill its role as an open and welcoming community of learning, discovery and research. It will further position Manitoba as a centre of excellence in Indigenous education, recognized as a place where the values of Indigenous cultures and communities are included in scholarship and research across the province.