Student housing around Otago University feels like a "ghetto", while several university buildings should be demolished and replaced, a campus planning report says.
In an opinion piece in the Otago Daily Times today, the university's vice-chancellor, Sir David Skegg, said a campus master plan would be released this afternoon to "guide the development" of the university's campuses in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington over the next 20 years.
The report identified three main issues at the Dunedin campus, being one-way streets in North Dunedin, the "ugly" Water of Leith and degraded housing surrounding the university.
The report's authors were "shocked" by the state of the residential areas, Sir David said.
"The squalid nature of many properties and the accumulation of rubbish are considered to have generated a 'ghetto' feel to the neighbourhoods," his article said.
He said the university, students' association and city council were working together to confront the housing issues "but much more needs to be done".
The report also proposed the demolition and replacement of several university buildings, "on the grounds that they are no longer fit for purpose or are located in the wrong place", Sir David said.
"They have encouraged us not to `make do' with run-of-the-mill facilities, but rather create a world-class campus which would enhance the experience of students and staff as well as the city of Dunedin."
The plan, by international consulting firm DEGW, was the first of its kind by the university since 1980.
Sir David said the plan was not official university policy and would need support from Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council to come into effect.
He hoped it would be discussed within the university and by other interested bodies and the public.
NZPA