Two teams address Harvard planning and development

To meet the increased physical planning and development needs of the faculties and departments on Harvard’s existing campus while simultaneously preparing for first-phase development in Allston, the Harvard Planning + Allston Initiative (HPAI) – the team that coordinated University-wide physical planning – has been reconfigured into two University organizations.

“The Allston Initiative has advanced in scope, scale, and pace over the last few years, bringing Harvard much closer to programmatic priorities and master planning concepts for its 21st century campus,” said Sally Zeckhauser, vice president for administration. “As this trend continues, we need to have the capacity to translate Allston plans into actual buildings and related infrastructure while also continuing to accommodate the planning needs across the entire University. We have divided into two exceptional teams to help Harvard meet future planning and development needs in all areas of its campus.”

The University Planning Office will continue to provide assistance in physical planning, design, and regulatory approvals to Harvard organizations and departments in Cambridge, Boston, and Watertown. Tanya Iatridis, a 16-year veteran of Harvard’s planning team, will serve as the University Planning Office’s acting director, reporting to the vice president for administration.

The Harvard University Allston Development Group, under the direction of Chief Operating Officer Chris Gordon, has been established to manage all aspects of the Allston Initiative, including master planning, project planning and approvals, urban and building design, and, ultimately, construction. Kathy Spiegelman, chief planner for the Allston Initiative, will lead the Allston Development Group’s planning and approvals work.

“Harvard’s Allston properties afford us the singular opportunity to create the university of the 21st century,” said Gordon. “I feel very fortunate to lead a truly exceptional planning and development team as Harvard’s Allston opportunity evolves into a vibrant campus.”