University estates as city makers: Covid-19 response and long-term plans

Imperial College, Imperial White City © Allies and Morrison

As universities are about to open and implement their responses to the COVID-19 crisis, we hear from major institutions about their short-term plans alongside long-term approaches and future investments.

As universities become more interconnected with the urban fabric, and the users and occupiers of their estates are more diversified, they have become major drivers of urban renewal and economic growth. Universities in fact are taking on building the infrastructure to support their growth, from campuses and teaching/research facilities to major housing development to house their staff.

As key players in the development sector, and major landowners, how do universities plan to grow and address key challenges related to the lack of infrastructure in Oxford, London and Cambridge? And with major disruption brough by the COVID-19 crisis, what is the short-term impact in managing their estates? What are the contingency plans in place in the short term to repurpose their building stocks and what are the long-term plans?

In this webinar we hear from Oxford, Cambridge and London’s universities about the future of their estates and role in the cities.