ABSTRACT
The role of the built environment in the university experience is deep-rooted and, for much of the higher education industry, this will not diminish in the future. Buildings and landscapes are long-term assets. On a pragmatic level, they provide indispensable access to research equipment and other resources. From a psychological perspective, they create an arena for the social interaction which is fundamental to a rounded education. Universities comprise some of the biggest and most complex physical environments in the world. Progressively over time, the cost of an on-site university education will become comparatively more expensive for the student. The student who selects this degree path over an online or distance-learning alternative will, therefore, expect more from their learning experience. The need to deliver flexible, immersive places to learn, the advent of transnational education, and the scope of commercial or joint-venture enterprises necessitates that a university's physical assets are part of a clear development strategy.
