Enhanced Impact

The development of Pitt's campus has the potential to enhance public spaces, improve the quality of life for residents, and expand amenities available to the community. Realizing this potential depends on Pitt partnering closely with the community as it plans and implements the next decade of growth.

Guided by community input, we are focusing on four priorities:

Strengthen Connections with the Community for University Related Development Projects

To strengthen connections with the community for University related development projects, Pitt commits to:

  • Communicate about Pitt development projects on the campus edge and in adjacent neighborhoods
  • Engage Oakland Planning and Development Corporation as a development partner in Central Oakland
  • Identify retailers for University developments through market analysis
  • Work with Innovation District developers to provide retail opportunities for local business and entrepreneurs
  • Engage with the Oakland Business Improvement District for commercial development projects

Developing Together

Pitt partners with community stakeholders to lead outreach and engagement initiatives that can advance local economic opportunity. We work especially closely with these Registered Community Organizations:

Current Projects

Find details about all of Pitt’s current construction and renovation projects, including street and infrastructure improvements, happening in and around Oakland.

Improve the Built Environment

To improve the built environment, Pitt commits to:

  • Establish a University Public Art Initiative 
  • Partner to improve public realm spaces in Oakland
  • Expand the University’s tree planting commitment to include street trees
  • Create an identity for community and university at campus edge
  • Study the campus public realm for urban design investment opportunities
  • Fund and implement a Complete Street design on key streets
  • Improve University properties for public benefit
  • Adopt Campus Design Principles that respect architectural heritage and promote innovation in context

The Art of Development

To integrate public works of art into new developments, Pitt is establishing a University Public Art Initiative that will work with the city and community stakeholders to set and meet public art goals.

Discovering Public Art at Pitt

Pitt is producing a complete inventory of artworks owned by the University. Learn more and discover artworks in the neighborhood.

Greener Public Spaces

Pitt’s campus includes nearly 80 acres of open space, including 14 acres that make up public realm green space shared with the community. Over the 10 year period covered by the Institutional Master Plan, Pitt will increase the amount of public realm green space by 15% and improve existing open spaces to the same standard. Explore the map below to learn more about five areas targeted for open space enhancements.

Acreage of Pitt Public Realm Green Space

Tree Canopy

The Pitt Sustainability Plan set a goal to increase the tree canopy across all campuses in the next 10 years. Given it’s urban context, the University of Pittsburgh Oakland Campus strives to achieve a 4% increase in tree canopy. Trees enhance campus scenery and contribute to effective stormwater management. Learn about Pitt's efforts to expand its urban tree canopy.

Acreage of Tree Canopy

Support community-led strategies for neighborhood stabilization and housing affordability

To support community-led strategies for neighborhood stabilization and housing affordability, Pitt commits to:

  • Invest in the Oakland Community Land Trust
  • Make on-campus living the first choice of students
  • Fund enhanced code enforcement of student-occupied neighborhood housing
  • Support development of the Innovation District
  • Study opportunities to incentivize Oakland residency
  • Provide mixed-use, market driven development opportunities
  • Work with Innovation District developers to expand retail opportunities

Enhancing quality of life for all Oakland residents

We’re committed to ensuring that Oakland remains a great place to call home, for new arrivals and long-time residents alike. Pitt is pursuing a number of strategies to expand home ownership and make housing more affordable in Oakland, like the University’s investment in the Oakland Community Land Trust and new non-student housing developments.

Pitt Redevelopment to Address Neighborhood Goals in Oakland

The University of Pittsburgh has announced its intention to redevelop its long-standing property at 3401 Boulevard of the Allies in Oakland, formerly the site of a Quality Inn.

Meeting the student housing need

Making on-campus living the first choice of students will reduce the demand for neighborhood student housing. Pitt is undertaking major developments to both expand the number of on-campus living options for students and improve the quality of existing options.

Number of Pitt-owned Student Housing Beds

Increase Pitt's Commitment to Sustainability

To bolster Pitt's commitment to sustainability, Pitt commits to:

  • Strengthen external relationships for collaborative sustainability initiatives
  • Achieve international 2030 Challenge goals
  • Work towards the sustainability goals in the Campus Master Plan
  • Study campus-wide sustainability standards for buildings, energy usage, and water usage
  • Apply rigorous sustainability guidelines in developing the campus built environment

A sustainable university in a sustainable neighborhood

Established in 2018, the Pitt Sustainability Plan sets ambitious goals for how the University impacts the world. Nowhere is our commitment greater than in Oakland where we are pursuing our Pittsburgh 2030 District commitment to reduce energy use, water use, and transportation emissions 50% below baselines by the year 2030.

Sustainability News & Updates

Read featured news, learn about activities, achievements, and awards, and find out how Pitt is improving sustainability on campus and off. Explore Pitt Sustainability News & Stories.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

To combat the global climate emergency, we aim to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and associated energy consumption.

We measure Pittsburgh campus GHG emissions om metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalents produced by the University through its operations. We’ve already reduced GHG emissions by 32 percent from our 2008 baseline year. Together, we’ll meet or exceed our goal of 50% reduction by 2030, while working towards carbon neutrality by 2037.

What does this measurement and action mean for Oakland and neighboring communities? In the immediate term, cleaner air thanks to efforts like shuttle fuel changes and happier commuters due to more shared and active commuting. In the long run, it means a healthier campus, neighborhood, and planet for us all.

 

Pitt Sustainability Dashboards

Track the University’s progress on select Pitt Sustainability Plan goals, including: greenhouse gas emissions, building energy and water use intensity, materials composed, food recovery, bike share utilization, and more.

Questions about this dashboard?

Contact the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs (ECA) at communityinfo@pitt.edu or call us at 412-383-5600.