Four key takeaways from Towson University’s campus master plan

March 2, 2022

"The future starts here."

With that ambitious statement, Towson University has shared its 2020–30 Campus Master Plan. It serves as a roadmap for the sustainable development of TU’s main campus and presents a 10-year outlook of investments that advance TU’s institutional mission and align with the aspirations of a world-class research university as spelled out in the strategic plan.

In total, the master plan will amount to 1.3 million gross square feet of new and renovated space and $1.2 billion in proposed investment in campus buildings.

“It is at this key time in our university’s history where our strategic plan and our campus master plan are in alignment to support our mission, and you can see through this master plan a vision to harness Towson University’s momentum and impact to benefit the public good,” TU President Kim Schatzel says. “The TU community was represented in this campus master planning process, and I’m thankful to all who played a role in bringing this important living document together.”

TU’s master plan is also in direct alignment with its Self-Study for Middle States Re-Accreditation. The re-accreditation process provides an opportunity to reflect on institutional successes and to identify strategies for continued improvement. The culmination of this self-study process results in reaffirmation of the institution’s accreditation.

The campus master plan outlines a long-term framework for the sustainable development of academic, research and student life buildings as well as landscapes and infrastructure to connect and support them.

Here are some key focus areas in the plan:

Support growth to an R2 institution

The plan calls for integrating research space throughout TU's facilities. A research concentration center in the southeast area of campus will support the strategic goal of achieving Carnegie Classification as an R2 Doctoral University with High Research Activity.

Renew and activate campus districts

The master plan will transform more than 1 million gross square feet of space through new construction and renovation projects in each major campus district, including the academic core, campus life center, West Village and South Campus.

Create a north–south greenway

The plan envisions a braided network of paths that enrich connections from downtown Towson to South Campus. It starts with a new College of Business & Economics building connecting to York Road and Burke Avenue at grade and culminates with a new pedestrian bridge connecting to South Campus. 

Be an outward-oriented campus

The master plan thoughtfully develops key campus edges as a physical manifestation of the Together Towson initiative. Investments in multimodal transportation support safe, sustainable and convenient access to and from main campus.

More about TU’s campus master plan

Read about the planning process and 10 priority projects at Towson University campus master plan.