During the last part of the twentieth century, the University of Michigan’s Central Campus underwent a remarkable transformation. Many new buildings were added but the amount of open space was preserved. Circulation systems were reorganized and nationalized, parking moved from surface lots to structures, and the order and visual appeal of the campus was significantly improved.

In this lecture, the various techniques employed by the campus planners, architects, and landscape designers to achieve these outcomes will be explained and the interrelationship between the overall planning strategies and the individual implementation projects will be described.

This lecture for those 50 and above by Fred Mayer who was the University Planner for The University of Michigan from 1968 to 2003 will meet for two hours.