University of Pittsburgh's Campus Redesign Enhances Community Connectivity
The University of Pittsburgh, originally called Pittsburgh Academy when it was established in 1787, is working with LaQuatra Bonci Associates and the City of Pittsburgh to enhance Bigelow Boulevard and the grounds of the William Pitt Union. Their goal is to boost safety and accessibility while strengthening community connections, focusing on how people and vehicles move through the area. Key features include 4-by-12-inch Unilock pavers for wayfinding, specific pathways, and distinct paving patterns for everyone. The redesigned William Pitt Union Grounds now has a circular plaza with permeable pavers and rain gardens, aiming to create a lively outdoor area for students and better connect the campus with the neighborhood. The university serves about 30,000 students across its 132-acre Oakland campus.
Key facts
- The University of Pittsburgh was founded in 1787 as Pittsburgh Academy.
- The campus spans 132 acres in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Approximately 30,000 students attend the university.
- The redesign focused on Bigelow Boulevard and the William Pitt Union Grounds.
- LaQuatra Bonci Associates was the landscape architecture firm for the William Pitt Union Grounds.
- Unilock pavers were used in various finishes and patterns for wayfinding and aesthetics.
- The project includes green infrastructure like permeable pavers and rain gardens.
- The design aims to strengthen the relationship between campus and city.
Entities
Institutions
- University of Pittsburgh
- City of Pittsburgh
- LaQuatra Bonci Associates
- Unilock
Locations
- Pittsburgh
- Pennsylvania
- Oakland
- Bigelow Boulevard
- William Pitt Union Grounds