The vision for the Greenway was established as a “Big Move” in the 2016 Campus Plan and represents a unique opportunity to address the Strategic Framework priority of increasing the vibrancy of campus life by enhancing the natural and built environment to create more opportunities for interaction and collaboration.

The Greenway will contribute to the identity of the campus and aid in fostering respect with Indigenous communities by contributing to a welcoming, inclusive campus environment for all.

The Campus Greenway Landscape Plan was initiated to address the following priorities:

• Reinforce the Quadrangle (Quad) as the heart of the campus
• Link the east and west ends of campus physically and visually, through a long view corridor
• Strengthen this connection as an open space and destination
  unto itself
• Protect mature trees and enhance the formal landscaping structure

The Campus Greenway Landscape Plan was developed through three planning phases from summer 2018 to fall 2019.

Phase 1: Site analysis and project vision

• Site analysis of existing conditions, including the completion of a detailed tree inventory and arborist report.
• Initial community engagement, including ideas fair and design charrette to establish the project vision.
• Development of the guiding vision and principles.

• Development of the draft landscape plan based on phase 1 community engagement and ongoing stakeholder meetings.
• Continued community engagement to review the draft landscape plan.

• Development of the final landscape plan based on ongoing stakeholder meetings and community engagement during phase 1 and phase 2.
• Community engagement to present the final landscape plan and design guidelines.

The plan's guiding principles provide an overarching framework for the long-term development and implementation of the Greenway. They embrace the vision, goals and principles of the Campus Plan and Strategic Framework will a specific focus on the unique challenges and opportunities of the Greenway. 

1. Embed Indigenous culture, language, history and connections to land into the design process.
2. Integrate mature and any new trees as key and defining features. 
3. Create a variety of outdoor spaces integrated with the Greenway that support social and academic interaction.
4. Ensure design reduces conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and service vehicles.
5. Embed sustainability practices into every design solution.
6. Ensure the design responds to campus mobility and accessibility.
7. Ensure the design responds to adjacent buildings and broader campus connectivity.
8. Ensure the entire Greenway is a safe, secure and inclusive path during all times and weather conditions.
9. Ensure all materials are durable, regionally appropriate and adaptable over time.
10. Ensure design presents a cohesive vision and narrative.
11. Ensure design supports learning opportunities.
12. Ensure design is economically sustainable and will be maintained over time.

The big ideas provide clear priorities for the physical character, function and identity. As defined by the big ideas, the Greenway: 

1. Expresses a gradient of character; 
2. And people take precedence; 
3. Has a heart;
4. Is green in character;
5. Is a place, not just a corridor; and, 
6. Tells a story.

The organizational framework identifies hubs to enhance programming opportunities while maintaining the cohesive characteristics of the guiding principles.These hubs are: 

• Academic and Social Hubs support the Campus Plan's objective to provide an extraordinary academic environment to inspire collaboration, creativity, innovation and interactions through outdoor meeting and teaching spaces. 
• Restoration Nodes provide opportunities to emphasize sustainability, and enhance environmentally significant natural areas. 
• Gateways are important thresholds providing welcoming and distinct entry points to the campus and Greenway. 
• Crossings provide opportunities to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety at vehicle-intersections and paths. 
• The Heart (Quad) is identified by the Campus Plan as the central heart and defining open space destination on campus.