James Madison University Master Plan

In 2008, James Madison University (JMU) commissioned Moseley to complete a comprehensive long-range master plan focused on developing the campus, enhancing its presence among surrounding neighborhoods, and establishing JMU as a major institution in the region.

The university later collaborated with Moseley on a follow-up 10-Year Campus Master Plan Update, completed in 2017. After previously focusing primarily on property acquisition and structural improvements, JMU shifted to a forward-thinking plan that could help prepare the university for projected expansion in terms of both their growing student population and existing space needs. Through close collaboration and thoughtful land use solutions, the Moseley team successfully partnered with JMU stakeholders to positively impact campus development while helping configure a blueprint for future master plan processes.

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Shaping a Connected Campus

Building upon the site and structural improvements developed since the 2008 master plan, the Master Plan Update sought to integrate new stormwater requirements and planning initiatives that reflect the university’s future needs. The plan also incorporated more bicycle and pedestrian pathways, as well as solutions for bus circulation and traffic orientation. This helped accommodate JMU’s projected growth while imagining pathways that promote a more accessible, unified campus feel.

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Close Collaboration

The Moseley team sought to make the master planning process focused and group-driven, yet transparent and collaborative, as it was vital to make the project’s outcomes properly vetted and displayed to both the university and the community. The first step was establishing a steering committee at JMU to help lead the process, followed by introductions to executive leadership and key stakeholders at JMU, in the City of Harrisonburg, and in Rockingham County. Students, faculty, and staff from several academic and administrative departments on campus were also quickly brought into the process, all playing significant roles in the plan’s development. We conducted several workshops with these groups during different planning stages, including discovery and analysis, idea generation and refinement, and documentation.

Over an 18-month period, the team conducted approximately 40 different work sessions on campus, gathering valuable input from stakeholders. This level of communication, care, and attention allowed individuals to share specific design thoughts about the future of their building, precinct, or overall campus experience. This guided the planning team’s process while offering assurance that JMU’s future development is truly considering those who live and work in and around campus.

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Looking Ahead

Since successfully completing these projects, Moseley, in partnership with Sasaki, is currently in the early stages of collaboration with JMU to craft a new campus master plan. While the previous master plans’ efforts applied to growth and space needs, the current one will focus on improvements that support modern teaching pedagogies, academic needs, wellness, resiliency, and the student experience in a post-pandemic environment.