Sasaki’s plan provides an integrated framework for decision-making, identifying potential sites for new buildings, opportunities for landscape preservation and enhancement, mobility strategies, and urban design approaches to achieve a functional and attractive physical environment that preserves and enhances Clemson’s special sense of place and community.

With a focus on the next five to ten years, guided by a longer-term outlook, the planning process examined how teaching, research, outreach, campus life, and student engagement occurs and can be improved across the Clemson campus. The plan is visionary, while building firmly upon Clemson’s rich history, traditions, campus character, and strong sense of community. It aims to enhance a special, “high seminary of learning” for teaching, research, and public service aligned with the changing demands of the coming decades.

Sasaki studied existing space use and considered future investments required to meet the University’s strategic priorities of academic and research growth, student engagement, and living environments. The space analysis and utilization assessment provides a deeper understanding of existing utilization of instructional spaces and a foundation to identify opportunities for the optimization of space resources. At the district-scale, the plan recommendations the establishment of mixed-use neighborhoods reinforced with campus life amenities to promote active, engaged learning with increased connectivity between indoor and outdoor spaces. Within the core campus, infill and redevelopment of underutilized sites is promoted with densities appropriate given the district’s limited available land.

An underlying goal of the Framework Plan is to preserve the iconic landscapes of the campus. The plan protects existing major campus spaces while identifying opportunities to extend Clemson’s green network through a series of new landscapes and pedestrian connections. These open spaces anchor growing districts and offer new outdoor learning, socializing, and recreation opportunities. Mobility strategies improve pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access to enhance campus connectivity, prioritize pedestrian movement, promote universal access, and reduce vehicular traffic in the campus core.

Land use, landscape, stormwater and mobility strategies support campus sustainability objectives in a variety of ways. The land use framework encourages compact development to facilitate human-powered and transit-oriented mobility within the campus and reduce transportation-related emissions. The plan preserves existing wooded areas and recommends a strategy for restoration in key areas such as the Hunnicutt Creek corridor. A comprehensive shade strategy includes proposed trees on the east and west sides of buildings to help reduce solar heat gain. Shade trees are also proposed along major pedestrian routes and in key outdoor gathering areas to provide human-comfort and to reduce the heat island. Best Management Practices for stormwater are recommended to reduce impervious area and detain and treat rainwater where possible or appropriate. The proposed increase in campus housing will also reduce the need for auto use and transit services as will the emerging land use pattern of downtown Clemson where a number of new apartments have been completed within walking and biking distance of the campus.