UTSA Campus Master Plan
This campus plan for UTSA propels the university’s vision for student success, research excellence, and strategic growth. Embracing the concept of "One University, Multiple Campuses," the plan leverages each location’s strengths into a unified, forward-thinking strategy.
Designed to fuel enrollment expansion, research funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships, the plan outlines 5.3 million square feet of new academic, residential, and support spaces across three campuses. This comprehensive roadmap ensures intentional, sustainable growth, aligning future development with the University’s mission.
The plan provides a bold vision for innovation while honoring the institution’s 50+-year history. It establishes a framework for progress and transformation, ensuring UTSA remains a leader in higher education for decades to come.
Awards
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2020 Merit Award for Excellence in Planning for an Existing Campus, Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)
Engagement process
A profoundly collaborative approach with extensive stakeholder engagement shaped the campus plan, driving its vision and priorities. Over the course of a year, thousands of voices—both within and beyond the university—helped define the plan’s direction through open forums, focus groups, committees, one-on-one discussions, and interactive digital tools.
This comprehensive outreach process ensured diverse perspectives were heard and woven into the plan’s guiding principles. Key themes emerged, shaping design strategies and bringing the vision to life across every campus.
By fostering broad participation and meaningful dialogue, the planning process built a strong foundation for a campus plan that reflects the university’s values, aspirations, and commitment to growth. More than a roadmap for expansion, this plan is a collective vision that will leave a lasting impact on UTSA and its community.
Main Campus
Main Campus long-term vision
The main campus plan reinforces the existing network of paseos while introducing new, multi-functional open spaces that provide recreational opportunities and ecological benefits.
The Main Campus master plan is built on five key planning principles, shaped through extensive stakeholder engagement:
- Fuel interdisciplinary research through collaboration and strategic partnerships.
- Expand access to open spaces, embracing the campus’s natural landscape.
- Create a walkable, compact campus core, prioritizing connectivity.
- Develop diverse housing and mixed-use spaces for a vibrant community.
- Pursue revenue-generating opportunities to support long-term growth.
These principles drive bold design concepts, ensuring a dynamic, future-ready campus. The iconic paseo network will be expanded as a unifying framework, with programmatic plazas anchoring key destinations. Academic and research facilities will be strategically clustered around the campus core, fostering an engaging and accessible pedestrian-first environment.
This vision fortifies UTSA’s foundation for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth—transforming the Main Campus into a hub of discovery and connection.
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Future vision for Paseo Verde
Paseo Verde will be a game-changer for campus development—a 24-acre central open space enhancing connectivity, sustainability, and campus life. Serving as a pedestrian corridor and green hub, it will weave nature into the campus experience, manage stormwater, and create an activated gathering area lined with academic, retail, and dining venues.
Downtown Campus
Downtown Campus long-term vision
The Downtown Campus will be embedded within the city’s fabric, reenergizing its surrounding district as a dynamic academic neighborhood.
The Downtown Campus master plan is built on a set of planning principles tailored to its urban setting and unique needs:
- Strengthen community partnerships to foster collaboration.
- Embrace San Antonio’s arts, culture, and urban identity.
- Enhance pedestrian connections, linking campus facilities and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Establish a complete, integrated UTSA campus within the city.
The Downtown Campus will evolve from an inward-focused environment to a vibrant, outward-facing urban hub as the plan unfolds. Strengthening east-west connections along Buena Vista Street/Dolorosa and West Nueva Streets will unify UTSA properties, creating a cohesive, distributed campus.
In partnership with the City of San Antonio, these corridors will be transformed into complete streets, extending the campus experience beyond its boundaries. As development expands east of Santa Rosa Avenue, these connections will become even more vital, reinforcing UTSA’s presence as a dynamic urban force.
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A network of engaging public spaces
The Downtown Campus will seamlessly integrate into the city through a series of activated public spaces. Medina Promenade will be a bustling mixed-use corridor, while South Frio Street will strengthen key east-west connections. Bill Miller Plaza will be revitalized as a welcoming gateway, and art installations will bring vibrancy to the I-10/I-35 pedestrian underpass.
View the plan
An award-winning campus plan.
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