Pro Vice-Chancellor
Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and remains a global leader within higher education. Its iconic buildings, some of which date from the thirteenth century, sustain the spirit of this centre of scholarship: the building blocks of Oxford create spaces to inspire intellectual study and debate, and foundations to nurture the development of tomorrow’s leaders.
In future years it will be possible to look back at the beginning of the twenty-first century and record a period of renewal at Oxford. The comprehensive programme of cross-departmental and cross-collegiate building construction and renovation the University is currently setting in motion will ensure that Oxford retains its pre-eminence for centuries to come.
Although it is difficult to chronicle the full scope of the University’s current major refurbishments and dramatic new buildings, with which many world-leading architects are engaged, this publication introduces some of the leading building projects at Oxford at the present time. These include plans to develop new sites to a state-of-the-art standard, as well as to realise the full potential of historic buildings to a similarly high standard.
These proposals exhibit the University’s ambitions for continued development not only over the next ten years but further into the future. Although the projects themselves are extremely diverse, all can be seen to advance the University vision, notably by:
- Keeping most academic activities and University operations within the city centre, with specialised technical and biomedical campuses developed efficiently on the city’s periphery;
- Developing facilities that will enable further interdisciplinary research and collaboration, while remaining flexible for future adaptation;
- Improving the public realm for both the Oxford community and the general public, with an emphasis on preserving and enhancing view corridors;
- Placing value on the history of Oxford’s built environment, with existing buildings adapted for modern uses when possible and new buildings respecting the scale of existing streets;
- Continuing to develop Oxford’s architectural legacy with contemporary buildings designed in many styles.
The sections above offer an introduction to Oxford’s historic estate, its fundraising campaign and a selection of University and college development projects. They provide an insight into the collegiate University’s plans for expansion, renovation and development over the coming years.
Professor Anthony Monaco
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Planning and Resources)
