Verdant Temple establishes strategy for open space

The landscape plan will improve Temple's green spaces and wayfinding

A rendering of the proposed quad on Temple’s Main Campus.

LRSLAstudio

Verdant Temple includes plans to create an open, green quad in the center of campus.

Temple University announced details of its landscape master plan, Verdant Temple, which charts a comprehensive strategy for the university’s open spaces, streets and walkways, lighting, signage and other components that are pivotal to the campus experience.

Developed in conjunction with the Visualize Temple campus plan, Verdant Temple establishes overarching guidelines for the design, implementation and management of campuswide landscape projects.

Plan recommendations

Key recommendations of Verdant Temple include

the creation of significant social spaces, including a green space at the heart of campus and more opportunities for gathering.
prioritizing pedestrian, bicycle and mass transit access to campus by slowing traffic with strategies such as protected bicycle lanes, raised crosswalks and curb extensions, which minimize street-crossing distances.
improving the character and functionality of streets, which should be made more pedestrian-focused and inviting and may include the addition of landscape, lighting, and new paving and seating.
using consistent landscaping, paving and signage to unify campus and improve pedestrian safety.
focusing on stormwater infrastructure improvements such as curb extensions, green roofs, porous pavements and tree trenches, contributing to Temple’s goals for increased environmental sustainability while reducing the costs associated with stormwater runoff.
the creation of more consistent lighted pathways campuswide, enhancing the pedestrian experience and beauty of campus while improving safety.
implementing a unified wayfinding and signage system to help ensure a user-friendly experience by improving the journey to and around campus.
the establishment of gateways to announce and define the university, and help welcome and orient visitors to campus.
the possible foundation of a public art program and the installation of signage to describe Temple’s history or highlight inspirational quotes focusing on education.

“The landscape of a campus is critical in creating first impressions and lasting memories,” President Neil D. Theobald said. “Verdant Temple uses the university’s rich history and dynamic urban environment to create a more cohesive identity for Main Campus.”

The plan focuses on five interrelated components:

green, which emphasizes the need for additional open space, including a central quad;
the importance of pedestrian walks, especially Liacouras and Polett walkways;
the value of campus gardens and courts that comprise public spaces;
the use of streets in an urban campus; and
how to use leftover spaces, or margins.

These five components—green, walks, spaces, streets and margins—are addressed with seven campuswide landscape systems: lighting, mobility, public art, social interactions, stormwater, vegetation and wayfinding.

“Our university’s fabric was woven by many hands in various materials and styles,” said Associate Vice President and University Architect Margaret Carney. “Verdant Temple encourages a creative yet consistent approach to Temple’s landscape that will make better aesthetic and functional use of our spaces while increasing opportunities for learning and social interaction.”

Verdant Temple was informed by more than two years of input from a group of Temple faculty and staff with expertise in energy, landscape architecture, sustainability and other areas. The plan encourages using the campus landscape as a teaching tool, from installing more stormwater meters to having landscape architecture students create performance measures for different elements of Verdant Temple.

Carney said using landscape materials like paving, planting and lighting with more continuity will better connect the wide variety of open spaces at Temple that are successful but appear disjointed. The first Verdant Temple project is the renovation of the portion of Liacouras Walk between Polett Walk and Montgomery Avenue. It will be enhanced in part by a more inviting and visible entrance to Wachman Hall, which has also undergone renovation.

Pauline Hurley-Kurtz, associate professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and an advisor on Verdant Temple, called the plan “a transformative proposal” that will define the public realm of Main Campus.

“The plan incorporates so many elements—stormwater management, great design, a palette of materials that will give a sense of unity to the campus—as well as a major, innovative advancement: the quad will be historic,” she said.

- Brandon Lausch