Using GIS in Universities Campus Design, University of Jordan as a Case Study

Abstract

The university campus is not only the buildings we see by our eyes, but also the place that makes our knowledge, which plunge our brains and reform it again. Therefore, it is mainly mental assemblies before it is visual composition. This paper focuses on using Geographical Information System (GIS) as efficient tool in urban design especially University Campus Design. Campus Planning involves the experience and goals of the target groups and the talent and expertise of the architect in addressing the long-range needs of schools. Many schools face the same constraints as commercial development projects, and indeed the history of campus design and town design has many parallels. In addition, schools have complex functional requirements that are often not well solved by monolithic institutional buildings. The space between the buildings is as important as the buildings themselves. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to build a geo-database in order to understand, analyze and predict how the campus will look like. Consequently, we will be able then to design and make a new master plan for the campus .This geo-database shall contain spatial and attribute data necessary for a good design. Additionally, it will be useful in the future since the updating of this geo-database is easy in GIS software. Not to mention that this geo database could be used as interactive map for the students, visitors and vendors of the university. Architects and Planners can take the students attitudes about the recent and future design of the campus and as well as all target groups ; to be more realistic in their designs.

Key words: Urban Design, Campus Design, GIS,Jordan