THE ESTATE
The Estate Strategy The University of Reading aspires to have an efficient, fit−for−purpose, and sustainable estate, which supports teaching and research delivery, facilitates future growth and is flexible to changing requirements. The University of Reading’s ranking within the top 1% of the world’s universities is accompanied by accolades for its impressive properties and facilities; its exceptional campus environment is a unique selling point. The principal aim of the property estate is to enable the University to successfully deliver its strategy and objectives to sustain and enhance its position in the global higher education and research sector. The University’s key strategic objectives that the Estates Strategy needs to support include: • Provision of world−class higher education and research across a broad range of subjects that can be provided through different delivery models in addition to the ‘normal’ campus−based approach such as: satellite campuses, online/open access programmes of study, specific research commissions, and consulting; • Building partnerships with other universities, education bodies, research foundations, professional organisations and potential employers; • Attracting and retaining the best talent across the staff and students communities – both research and teaching, and professional services; • Responding to market demands by flexing to support the provision of new courses and programmes of study, to a widening range of potential students and customers; and • Supporting wider non−academic strategic objectives, such as fostering new enterprises and enabling the University to play a full part in the economy and civic society of Reading and the surrounding region. Great progress has been made over the last 10 years which has resulted in significant improvements to the quality of the estate, whilst meeting the changing requirements of the University. However, the current estate remains extensive, and still includes properties of sub−optimal standard, suitability or environmental performance for a world−class University. The University has a new vision of ambitious growth plans to secure its place within the global market. The estate needs to support the delivery of this vision and change accordingly. The Estate Strategy has been developed following extensive analysis of the existing estate and consultation with key stakeholders as part of an overall framework of initiatives aimed at maintaining and enhancing the University’s competitiveness within the Higher Education sector. We recognise the ever increasing importance of the University estate to attracting and retaining the best student, research, teaching and staff, who in turn are credited with giving the University its world class status and reputation for research and teaching excellence. It is only right that we seek to provide them with accommodation and facilities that help them maintain and build on that reputation. The analysis of the estate and the consultation exercise identified the following themes that aim to be addressed: • Scale • Functional Suitability • Space Type • Condition • Green Campus • Location • Carbon Management • Management & Service Delivery • Multi site portfolio • Sport & Leisure The Estate Strategy responds to these issues and has set performance targets against each theme. Projects and initiatives will be assessed for their ability to address these issues and contribute towards the strategic targets set. This Estate Strategy provides the framework for the development and delivery of projects through to 2026 and will be subject to annual updates and five yearly reviews. The full estates strategy can be viewed at http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/fmd/EF_Strat.pdf
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