Campus Plan Update
The update to the Campus Plan was approved in June 2025 by the UBC Board of Governors, providing the long-term physical framework to guide the growth and evolution of the campus over the next 20 years.
About the Campus Plan Update
The update to the Campus Plan supports UBC Okanagan’s academic mission by identifying space for new and renewed teaching, learning, and research facilities within a walkable campus.
The update also introduces a new UBC Neighbourhood located north of the academic core, that will provide up to 1,500 units of rental housing for students, faculty, and staff.
Engagement Process
The Campus Plan was updated over a 16-month process led by UBC Okanagan Campus Planning. A wide range of engagement methods—including online surveys, pop-ups, open houses, and targeted discussions—resulted in 2,260 touchpoints with students, faculty, staff, alumni, including Indigenous and equity-seeking campus communities.
The Campus Plan has been shaped through ongoing engagement with Syilx Okanagan community partners and Indigenous communities on campus. The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) was engaged throughout the planning process and will continue to be involved moving forward.
Engagement Timeline
January 22 to February 9, 2024
Engagement focused on getting feedback on the emerging themes and proposed strategies, which resulted in the Campus Plan Update Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference, alongside technical work, helped guide the update to the plan.
Download the Engagement Summary Report (Phase 1)
November 5 to 29, 2024
Feedback from the first phase of engagement alongside technical work and engagement with key stakeholders resulted in the development of a concept plan showing the areas of potential development, open spaces and green spaces, and the key components with proposed strategies to support the campus as it plans for growth. The community was asked to provide feedback on these.
What We Heard
Several strong themes emerged through the engagement process that helped shape the Campus Plan. Some feedback was related to topics outside the scope of the Campus Plan—such as the need for specific indoor spaces like classrooms and study areas—these insights have been shared with the appropriate UBCO departments.
Key Themes Heard from Engagement
Broad support was expressed for campus growth, particularly for additional housing for upper-year undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff.
Participants also called for more on-campus amenities, such as retail, and increased outdoor and recreational space.
There was strong interest in improving transportation options to and from campus, along with concerns about the availability and proximity of parking as the campus grows.
Feedback emphasized the need for a comprehensive parking strategy, including the potential for a parkade or multi-level parking structure.
Maintaining a walkable academic core is a high priority. However, there were concerns about future expansion areas—especially those located “up the hill”—and the need for enhanced transportation and accessibility options in those areas.
Some participants expressed concern that the plan’s focus on long-term growth opportunities, such as new housing developments, may not align with current financial constraints or more immediate needs, such as additional academic space.
There were also concerns about potential financial impacts, including tuition increases.
What engagement looked like
 Open House Event at the Administration Building Photo Credit: University Relations |
 Open House Event at the Administration Building |
UBC Okanagan Campus Profile
Explore the UBC Okanagan Campus Profile for a comprehensive overview of the campus’s physical spaces, the people who learn, work, and live here, and the policies and trends shaping its future.
Contact Us
Madeleine Zammar
Manager of Engagement
Campus and Community Planning
Abigail Riley
Associate Director
Office of Campus Planning