President Amy Gutmann, UPENN, + the Green Penn Connects Project

Amy Gutmann, President of University of Pennsylvania since 2004, is leading the charge on a massive expansion of the University campus.  The Penn Connects project is a $1.94 billion development plan for a 24-acre parcel of land between the current campus and Schuylkill River.  Slated for completion by 2030, and with the early guidance of Sasaki, Penn will take that 24-acre, industrial zoned land and create a walkable, transit-oriented neighborhood with environmentally-friendly architecture, expansive green spaces, and lively walkways.  Penn Connects is about further integration, or connection, of the University with the community.

Below, I've included a link to the 120-page file describing the project.  Those of you that are interested in the sustainability aspects, feel free to click directly to page 69.  Penn Connects establishes general guiding principles for sustainable development, with four main categories:  community, energy and atmosphere, integrated transportation, and water resources.  In addition to these main categories, the plan recommends that the University consider "the positive outcomes of constructing new facilities in accordance with the criteria and guidance for new construction outlined in the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Reference Guide for New Construction."

Gutmann's role in the greening of Penn shouldn't be overlooked.  As part of the University's Penn Compact, Gutmann signed on with some other universities to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Specifically, Penn will purchase some energy from renewable resources, create an energy-efficient appliance purchasing program, adopt green building practices for all new construction, and provide increasing access to public transit.  Gutmann couldn't be prouder saying, "This is a defining issue of the 21st century, and I am proud to sign on and promote higher education as a leader in addressing global climate change through research, education and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions."  I'm impressed, but this is what I expect from excellent leaders.  Excellent leaders = forward looking. 

Extra Links:
+Penn Connects: A Vision for the Future [PDF - 16 MB]
+The Penn Compact: Getting Greener

Comments

[Lara Berch]

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Lara

[Gabriel]

Hola, me parece interesante este proyecto y que una universidad pueda seguir siendo un ambiente de aprender y enseñar debe tener el ambiente para ello, y donde toda la comunidad se sienta orgullosa de lo logrado

Gabriel Pérez

traducido por Google.com

Hello, it seems to me interesting east project and that a university can continue being an atmosphere to learn and to teach must have the atmosphere for it, and where all the community feels proud of the obtained thing