University of Texas at El Paso Campus Transformation Plan

Constructed arroyos and native vegetation conserve water usage and provide a sense of place in the highly pedestrian campus core.

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), a dynamic institution serving more than 23,000 students, is located within the northern Chihuahuan Desert-the largest desert in North America. To accommodate projected growth while improving the quality of campus life, UTEP sought to transform what was then a concrete-dominated campus into a sustainable, walkable landscape with green spaces and pedestrian walkways.

The centerpiece of UTEP’s Campus Transformation plan is Centennial Plaza, a large open area at the heart of the campus, bordered by shade trees and a wide walking path for strolling, socializing and relaxing. Biohabitats was a key member of the Centennial Plaza planning and design team led by Ten Eyck Landscape Architects.

Rainfall in El Paso is infrequent, but when it does occur, it is usually heavy and intense. Biohabitats developed low-impact stormwater management improvements, which mimic natural arroyos. Biohabitats crafted a design that infiltrates and conveys stormwater runoff for use in irrigation, allowing native Chihuahuan Desert vegetation to flourish on campus and create a key amenity for the campus community.

TAGS

• Analysis+Planning
• Design
• Climate Adaptation + Resistance
• Ecological Restoration