Other Objectives
Support delivery of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy, which commits the University to achieving net zero carbon emissions and a net gain in biodiversity by 2035
Provide an estate that enables and adapts to different working styles, fostering collaboration both within and beyond the University, including the development of innovation districts at Begbroke and Osney Mead.
Align with the emerging policies and expectations of the Oxford Local Plan to 2040
Create positive working environments, improve the condition of our buildings and the increase sharing of our spaces and teaching spaces Continue to be careful custodians of our heritage assets for the city of Oxford and beyond, through meticulously planned conservation and maintenance
Additional Actions
Ensure that every decision about the estate takes long-term sustainability into account.
Continue to listen and work in partnership with colleagues as well as students, stakeholders, and communities. Develop ‘Oxford Standards’ for types of space (such as offices, laboratories, or lecture theatres), and work to ensure that every space meets them. This will help us use the space we have more flexibly and efficiently.
Assess functional suitability (fitness for purpose) of our existing estate.
Continue to work with our development partners to create innovation districts, making the existing Begbroke masterplan a reality and developing another for Osney Mead.
Measure of success By 2029, we will have achieved, or made significant progress towards achieving, the following: z A University estate that is financially and environmentally sustainable while also providing the flexibility to meet emerging or unplanned needs. z Addressing the challenges posed by major facilities that are reaching the end of their design lives through deep refurbishment or demolition and replacement z Developed and implemented a comprehensive set of ‘Oxford Standards’ z Restructured and improved our repair and maintenance activities to use resources more efficiently. z Improving the efficiency of our space usage and the sharing of our teaching spaces, as measured through occupancy and utilisation rates. z Put ourselves in a position to achieve net zero carbon emissions and a positive overall impact on biodiversity by 2035.
Conclusion Oxford is one of the world’s leading universities, and it needs an estate to enable it to continue to deliver its ambitious plans. While the challenges we have identified will take longer than the period the Strategy covers to address completely, we believe that by 2029 we will have made major improvements in the estate’s overall quality, functional suitability, environmental sustainability, and financial credibility. Providing an estate that is better maintained and better suited to its purpose will in turn support recruitment and retention of the best staff and students, helping sustain academic excellence far into the future.
University of Oxford Estate Strategy
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