UC Irvine 2027 Long Range Development Plan

The University of California, Irvine is advancing its long-term physical planning through the development of the 2027 Long Range Development Plan, which will guide campus growth and land use through 2047 in alignment with its academic mission and state environmental regulations. This initiative involves preparing a Program Environmental Impact Report as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act to assess the environmental consequences of anticipated development, including land use adjustments, increased housing, and expanded infrastructure. The plan forecasts a campus population of 52,000 students and nearly 30,000 faculty, staff, and non-affiliates by the 2047–48 academic year, with corresponding growth in gross square footage from approximately 8.7 million to 14.65 million square feet. It also projects up to 32,200 student housing beds and 2,800 faculty and staff housing units, while maintaining and refining existing land use categories to encourage infill development and better distinguish between open space and recreational areas. The plan does not mandate growth or commit to specific enrollment levels, recognizing that actual development will depend on funding and other constraints. The environmental review process centers on identifying significant impacts to biological resources, habitats, and air quality, with mitigation measures designed to comply with the California Endangered Species Act, the Central and Coastal Natural Community Conservation Planning/Habitat Conservation Plan frameworks, and standards from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Specific requirements include adherence to species survey windows, 50-foot buffer zones around sensitive habitats, and adherence to the Manual of California Vegetation and the California Natural Diversity Database for accurate classification and reporting. Ongoing tribal consultation is mandated under state law, and invasive species control, avian nesting season protections, and habitat conservation compliance are integral to implementation. The PEIR will serve as the foundational environmental document for future project approvals under CEQA Guidelines §15168, streamlining environmental review for individual campus projects over the next two decades. All planning and environmental compliance activities are coordinated through the UC Irvine Campus Planning & Sustainability office, with public input accepted via email and the official project website, and oversight responsibilities resting with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other state agencies. No formal contract value, pricing structure, or procurement-specific clauses are detailed, as this effort is an internal environmental planning and regulatory compliance initiative rather than a sourced procurement contract.