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Concept:
At Sather Gate, the swaths of asphalt north and south of the Creek are reclaimed and transformed into a new riparian glade, providing a green, peaceful complement to the sunny hardscape of Dwinelle Plaza. |
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Although intensively developed, at its heart the campus remains a 'university in a park', and this park is what gives the campus its unique and memorable character. The landscape armature of the campus is comprised of four complementary elements: the natural backdrop of the hills; the shady, peaceful glens along Strawberry Creek; the broad, open lawns of the Central Glades; and the serene geometry of Campanile Way and Esplanade. Together, they provide the campus with a rich variety of open spaces, and a counterpoint to the intensity of urban life.
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Strategic Goals 
Capital investment shall preserve and enhance the campus landscape by:
- protecting significant natural areas and open spaces from further development.
- implementing an ongoing program of landscape restoration and mature landscape renewal.
- preserving significant views into, within and from the campus.
- implementing a program of strategic investments in new and enhanced open spaces.
- ensuring new projects are scoped and budgeted to include adjacent landscape and open space improvements.
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Landscape Preservation
Located within the densely urbanized east bay, the campus landscape is a precious resource for both the university and the city around it. However, over the years the integrity of the landscape has been damaged by insensitively sited and designed projects. Sometimes the damage is obvious and visible, such as the siting of Evans and Moffitt within the Central Glades, while other times it is more subtle, such as the gradual and cumulative impacts of ongoing campus construction.
This Plan takes as axiomatic the principle there should be no further degradation of major campus natural areas and open spaces. The first order of the Plan, therefore, is to define those zones of campus into which development must not intrude. As shown in figure 2.1, these preservation zones include the major elements of the campus landscape armature, as well as its most significant historic exterior spaces.
Policy 2.1
Ensure no new projects intrude into the landscape preservation zones, as defined in the Design Guidelines.
The campus landscape armature is a unique synergy of organic and formal elements: the organic forms of the creek forks and the sloping terrain contrast with the axial geometry of the historic open spaces framed and defined by buildings.
Each of the preservation zones shown in figure 2.1 is defined in the Design Guidelines. Except for landscape and open space improvements, no new buildings shall intrude into the preservation zones. As further defined in initiative 2.3, the preservation zone for the creek is comprised of two subzones: zone 1, the natural riparian areas along the streamcourse, and zone 2, other rustic woodlands adjacent to the riparian areas.
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Landscape Restoration
To the casual observer, the mature campus landscape seems deceptively stable, but a closer look reveals the impacts of age, intensive use and misuse, and environmental stress. The beauty of the campus, often taken for granted, is in fact fragile and tenuous, particularly in light of the construction impacts it must continue to endure for at least the near future.
Many of the mature landscapes on the campus are dominated by plants that are nearing the end of their life cycles. This problem is particularly acute for the large trees and groves that serve as campus landmarks, frame key views, and mitigate insensitive architecture. The creek forks also have numerous damaged areas that threaten both their scenic quality and their ecological health.
Initiative 2.2
Define a program of investments in landscape restoration and mature landscape renewal, and a prioritized sequence of implementation.
The campus Landscape Master Plan shall further define these investments and their relative priorities. However, the first priority for investment under this initiative should be creek preservation zone 1, as defined below. Within this zone, the damaged areas of the streamcourse should be repaired, and the management principles described in initiative 2.3 should be followed in repair and renewal.
Initiative 2.3
Develop and implement a management and phased restoration plan for Strawberry Creek and its riparian landscape.
The creek landscape is comprised of two zones, as shown in figure 2.1. Zone 1 is dominated by native and naturalized plants forming dense woodlands along the streamcourse. The width of zone 1 may vary in response to local conditions, but in general should be at least 100', centered on the streamcourse.
The management and renewal of zone 1 should be based on ecological principles, including replacing invasive exotic plants with native plants suited to their biotic zone, replacing unhealthy plants and plants at the ends of their natural lives, and preserving and enhancing the habitat value of the zone. While there are a few areas where existing buildings or infrastructure intrude into zone 1, no new intrusions shall occur, and new projects in or adjacent to these areas shall, where feasible, include provisions to restore the biotic integrity of the zone.
Zone 2 includes those other rustic woodlands adjacent to the riparian landscape, which have a strong complementary relationship to the creek, and which also often have a strong historic and symbolic identity in their own right, such as Observatory Hill or Eucalyptus Grove.
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Figure 2.1
Preservation Zones |
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View Protection
Given the spectacular setting of the campus, a gentle west-facing slope at the base of the hills, views have always been defining elements of campus plans: the primary example being the alignment of the campus' historic core with the view of the golden gate. While many inspiring views both of and from the campus have been compromised over the years, several remain and must be protected.
Views within the campus are also important. For example, views of Sather Gate, the Campanile and Doe Library from key entrances and open spaces not only enhance the campus image but help visitors to navigate. New architectural 'beacons' at the termini of key views could both aid wayfinding and ease concerns over security after dark.
Policy 2.4
Site and design new buildings to preserve and enhance key views into, within, and from the campus.
Many of these key views from and within the campus are indicated in figure 2.2. However, each new project shall be analyzed for its potential to create new views, frame existing views, or improve the image of the campus from key viewpoints.
Policy 2.5
Incorporate visual landmarks into new projects located on key view axes.
A 'beacon' is an element designed to serve as a landmark for campus entry and navigation within the campus, as suggested in figure 2.2. It may be an architectural element of a building or a free-standing artwork. In either case, it should be lit so it is visible and recognizable at night. For example, new beacons at Moffitt Library and Lower Sproul Plaza should be combined with active, 24-hour student uses to improve the perception of security in adjacent exterior spaces.
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Figure 2.2
Views & Landmarks |
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New Open Spaces
The Berkeley campus is not only intensively developed, but also located in a densely populated city with very little public green space. The program of investments in campus buildings, therefore, should be balanced with investments in new or enhanced open spaces, to ensure the parklike character of the campus is retained and enhanced.
Few would dispute the value of places such as Sproul Plaza or Campanile Way, but because they are campuswide resources they have no core constituency of advocates, and as a result have fallen into severe disrepair. The campus must acknowledge the critical role of these places in the image and identity of the campus, and take the initiative to reverse their decline.
Initiative 2.6
Define a program of investments in new and enhanced campus open spaces, and a prioritized sequence of implementation.
A comprehensive scope of landscape and open space improvements for the campus is presented in conceptual form in the Portfolio, along with how they should be integrated with building projects. More detailed concepts for several of these improvements are presented in the Campus Vision. Based on this scope, the Landscape Master Plan shall define a prioritized program of open space investments, which may include:
- improvements related to specific new development projects,
- improvements of campuswide significance, and
- a stewardship fund for long term maintenance and restoration.
The concepts presented in the Portfolio shall, in turn, inform the identification of specific landscape and open space improvements to be incorporated into the scope, design and budget of individual projects, as prescribed in policy 2.7.
Policy 2.7
For each new project abuting a proposed new or enhanced open space, include the open space improvements in the project scope, design and budget.
As illustrated in the Portfolio, many proposed new or enhanced open spaces abut potential new building projects, and shall be timed to coincide with those projects. Adequate funds for open space improvements shall be designated in the budget for each such project, and shall not be reallocated later to other project elements.
The open space improvements to be incorporated into the project scope and budget shall be defined as part of the project-specific design guidelines prepared at the feasibility phase, as prescribed in policy 3.2. These improvements shall include set-aside funds to restore adjacent areas impacted by construction, even when no new open space improvements are proposed: this is particularly critical when such areas are used to stage multiple, sequential projects.
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