University of Notre Dame
PAE-3: Physical Campus Plan

According to the University’s Campus Plan, the Planning Guidelines for Stewardship of the Natural Environment include that “the campus will remain predominantly wooded, with its stand of matured woodlands preserved and protected. Surrounding the campus will be a natural greenbelt, a buffer of meadows, woodlands, lakes, and recreational spaces, such as golf courses and playing fields. The greenbelt will serve as a tradition from “town to gown,” and its natural beauty will be an asset to the campus and its neighbors.” An additional piece of the Campus Plan states, “Avoiding sprawl is one of the first principles of sustainable environments. As a result, the Plan outlines growth patterns that respect an optimal carrying capacity of the land. By avoiding sprawl, the Plan endorses the idea of a ‘compact’ campus, an idea that harkens back to Father Sorin’s original vision of the University.” Finally the Campus Plan states, “Notre Dame’s heritage is also a component of its sustainable future. The Campus Plan advocates careful stewardship of existing built and natural environments, many of which are historically significant. The Plan takes the position that selective preservation, renovation, and adaptive re-use are significant components of a sustainable campus environment.”