Planning Context

As Harvard faces a period of great physical growth and change, it is particularly important for its planners and designers to work from a strong basis of understanding of the varied patterns that make up the University’s existing fabric. This report comprises an initial effort by Harvard Planning and the Allston Initiative (HP+AI) to document and analyze those patterns. It is intended as a working document for the many members of the University community who share responsibility for decisions concerning the future of the unique and rich physical setting that is the Harvard campus.

The material presented here remains in draft form. Its ambitious content will undoubtedly be subject to refinements and revisions. Its conclusions are often subjective, and we welcome debate in this regard. Rather than aspiring to prepare a definitive and comprehensive documentation of the Harvard campus, our purpose is to stimulate understanding, discussion and, ultimately, more sophisticated and informed planning and design decisions. The preparation of this material required a significant effort on the part of an interdisciplinary team of HPRE planners and students of the Graduate School of Design, but it will be well worth the effort if it allows the University to improve the physical environment that provides the setting for some of the world’s most important teaching and research.

We hope that “Harvard Patterns” can help to inform and inspire the many members of the Harvard community who will shape the University’s future.

Kathy Ann Spiegelman
Director, Allston Initiative

Excerpts from Harvard Patterns Document
(Acrobat PDF format)

Architecture: Building Materials

There's more to Harvard than brick and ivy.

The River as Placemaker

While Harvard Yard remains the University's political, academic and spiritual center, the Charles River has become the campus's geographical center.

Urban Patterns: The Patchwork

No overriding master plan has driven the development of Harvard's campus.

Visions of the Campus

Over the years, noted planners and architects have offered visions of how the campus might be organized.

Next Steps

Continuation of the planning process.

»Complete Harvard Patterns Document