Between campus and city : the transformation of MIT's campus

Abstract

The urban campus will not be an isolated enclave in the future. The quality and vitality of the campus will affect and be influenced by the character of the surrounding neighborhoods. Therefore, it is significant to enhance the relationship of the campus with the surrounding community to create a vital, diverse, and attractive environment. This thesis proposes transitional urban campus boundaries as a future form of the educational environment that contributes to shaping an attractive physical setting for the university, fostering neighborhood amenities and enhancing the relationship between them. The interpretation of this concept is explored through the design exercise in transforming MIT's campus boundaries into transitional boundaries. It addresses the potentials for future redevelopment and transit development as a revitalization mechanism. A series of relevant planning strategies and urban design guidelines will be set up to achieve the design goal. This study is a qualitative evaluation of the urban form that is best suited for a successful transitional boundary between city and campus.