University of Calgary officials unveiled plans Thursday for a sprawling west campus — a mix of housing, public spaces and businesses, but no new classrooms or labs.

University president Harvey Weingarten said staff will meet with the university's neighbours at two open houses this month to discuss the plans. The first is Thursday.

A sketch shows the proposed plaza for the University of Calgary's west campus.
(U of C)

"If we do this right, we have the opportunity to build, I think, one of the most exciting, vibrant communities in the city of Calgary. It's all about mixed use, it's all about using your land and developing in a sustainable way," he said.

Weingarten said he hopes to join with the private sector to help raise the money for the project. If the project generates revenue for the university, the money will be used for new buildings and other student space.

"This is a plan that goes over about 20 years, but we would like to get this started within a year or two with the first phases of this, and the first phases are likely to be residential components," he said.

The west campus is home to the new Alberta Children's Hospital and includes 32 hectares of land that overlooks the Bow River Valley.

According to the university, the "urban life design" will include:

• Student, faculty and community housing.
• Workplaces for scholars, research institutes, cultural organizations, small- and medium-sized businesses.
• Arts and cultural venues.
• Walking and biking paths.
• A central plaza and public spaces.