Is MIT a good place to live? : the university campus as a residential environment

Abstract

In this study, I approach the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from the perspective of campus residents. Considering the campus as a neighborhood, I analyze and evaluate the effects of the physical campus on its residents' quality of life. After presenting a historical overview of the MIT residential campus and the ideas that have influenced it, as well as a synopsis of background information on the MIT residential experience, I present the results of a series of discussions held at residences around the MIT campus on the topic of how the campus performs as a residential environment. To conclude, I first define a set of criteria, based on the results of the discussions, by which the MIT campus might be analyzed and evaluated from a residential point of view. I then find that the MIT campus has many features that are not supportive of its residential function, and suggest some strategies for the future development that might improve the campus as a residential environment.