Your feedback is needed on the development of UCL East

The development of UCL East reached a significant milestone last week, with four 'scenarios' being put forward by the Academic Programme Board (APB).

A final decision is anticipated in early March, and I invite you to have your say on these scenarios by 22 February.

Background

Last year more than 60 bids were made by groups of UCL staff from across the academic community and Professional Services. Over the course of the year the bids were re-worked, fine-tuned and, in some cases, merged or withdrawn. In November 2015 the APB scrutinised and assessed a final set of proposals against six selection criteria, which were to:

1. Embody academic excellence and vitality

2. Demonstrate financial sustainability

3. Be appropriate for geographic location within UCL East

4. Demonstrate commitment to doing new things

5. Demonstrate the breaking down of barriers, within and outwith UCL

6. Embody the spirit and aims of UCL 2034 and related strategies.

The most appropriate proposals were identified and worked into scenarios that encapsulated specific visions for the initial academic make-up of UCL East. After extensive scrutiny, the APB agreed on the following four preferred scenarios:

· Connected Creativity

· A Model for Campus of the Future

· New Challenges Campus

· 'People & Places'.

Scenarios consultation

UCL East is potentially the biggest step forward for our institution since our founders established London University and began creating the campus in Bloomsbury. I invite UCL staff to learn more about these scenarios, and contribute your feedback so that we can further develop a shared vision for this once-in-a-generation project. Please see the scenarios consultation online.

Masterplan consultation

In parallel, the UCL East Masterplan has been developed, setting out the broad spatial and infrastructure plans for the whole development (not merely the first phase, opening in 2019). I would also welcome your comments on the developing masterplan for the campus. From 22-26 February there will an exhibition of the latest masterplan proposals in the North Cloisters. Members of the project team will be on hand during the week to answer your questions and there will be comment cards for staff and students to contribute their ideas on the masterplan.

As part of this process, we will also hold an additional 'pop up' consultation event at 140 Hampstead Road, 11am-3pm on Tuesday 23 February. Finally, if you live or visit East London, you may see one of the 'pop up' consultation events being arranged for local residents and other stakeholders, starting from 17 February. Further information on these events is available online, where copies of the masterplan exhibition materials will also be available later in the week commencing 15 February.

Professor Michael Arthur

UCL President and Provost