Universities For Cities

This discussion on My City raises some interesting questions about how our universities can simultaneously better their own services and their cities.

Could universities better integrate with public transportation systems, increasing ridership and revenues while providing transportation options for their students?

Can universities better use the land they have to influence compact, mixed-use urban environments and get greater value from these assets?

Can universities rethink their approach to providing food and services in a way that grows small business and provides greater diversity, choice and convenience for their students?

Daron Dierkes suggests: “I firmly believe that if a university were to set up streetscapes on campus and rent them out to independent restaurants to move in, ample food would be readily provided, rents would be collected, and student life would be enhanced.”

As universities look for ways to raise funds, it is a good time to rethink existing resource use and find new opportunities for anchor institutions and their cities to mutually benefit each other.

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