Examining the Layout of Princeton Campus: Investigating Princeton's Land Utilization Patterns
Princeton University's upcoming expansion, set for 2026, will see the addition of another residential college and new athletic facilities on the south side of Lake Carnegie. This development will continue the university's trend of developing previously cleared land, as its recent land use history primarily reflects.
In the heart of this historic and recreational landmark, the Lake Carnegie area, any expansion or development by Princeton University would likely be subject to careful planning to maintain the environmental, recreational, and historical character of the lake and surrounding land. Geographic Information System (GIS) software could play a crucial role in such projects, helping to analyze land use patterns, environmental impact, campus spatial integration, and preserve historic land usage in this sensitive area.
GEO/WRI 201, a research-based course offered at Princeton, focuses on scientific research and writing, and is an excellent resource for students interested in exploring this topic further. The course equips students with the skills to work with GIS software, such as QGIS and ArcGIS, which are available online and through the University student license, respectively.
In a project within the course, shapefiles were used to draw polygons around four different types of campus land cover: water, forested land, cleared land, and developed land. Shapefiles, a type of vector data, are used to represent categorical or non-continuous data, often taking the form of points, lines, or polygons. They are a valuable tool for spatial analysis, which involves calculating the percent area of each type of land cover within a certain area over time.
While a detailed GIS-based analysis of the 2026 expansion is not yet available, it is worth noting that areas adjacent to recovering forested areas may be impacted or disturbed by the change in land use. This is a concern that could be addressed through the use of GIS software to model potential ecological impacts and propose mitigation strategies.
One student profiled in the article, Alexandria Herr, has delved into the world of GIS and its applications. Princeton University offers resources for getting started with GIS, including online training courses and a dedicated GIS center located in Lewis library. For the latest or project-specific data, the best sources would be Princeton University’s official communications, campus planning documents, or specialized GIS land use studies released by the university or local planning agencies closer to or after 2026.
As the Princeton University expansion moves forward, the role of GIS in understanding and planning for its impact on the campus and Lake Carnegie will undoubtedly become increasingly important. The Natural Sciences Correspondent, Alec Getraer, will continue to follow this story, providing updates as more information becomes available.
The upcoming Princeton University expansion, incorporating environmental science and data-and-cloud computing, may employ Geographic Information System (GIS) software for careful planning surrounding the lake and surrounding land in 2026. Sharing a keen interest in this subject, students in GEO/WRI 201 could utilize GIS tools, such as QGIS and ArcGIS, for environmental impact analysis and preservation of historical land use.
