An aerial shot of Dalhousie University in Halifax. (Dalhousie University)The board of governors for Nova Scotia's largest university is preparing to vote on an expensive and extensive new master plan for the school.

Dalhousie University is considering tearing down old buildings, adding new ones and overhauling a major thoroughfare as part of its plan.

The board of governors is expected to vote on the plan on Monday.

"There's about $600-million worth of work proposed over roughly a 10-year timeframe," said Jeff Lamb, assistant vice-president of facilities management for the university.

The 46-page proposal was developed over the course of two years in consultation with those inside and outside the university.

There are 12 major capital projects including new academic buildings, residences, sports facilities and altered streetscapes. Each of Dalhousie University's three campuses — Studley, Carleton and Sexton — will be affected.

Lamb said over the last decade, the student population at Dalhousie has grown by up to 7,000 students.

"We'd realize we needed more space and then there'd be a scramble to find it," Lamb said, adding that the university felt a more planned approach was needed.

New buildings planned

One of the biggest changes would be on University Avenue, which is currently divided by tree-lined islands.

The redesign would transform the north side of the street into a pedestrian zone and bikeway, stretching the length of the street. The south side would be expanded to include traffic going in both directions, as well as parking on either side.

"The traffic capacity should be the same as it is now, but it's all on one carriageway instead of two and the north side becomes pedestrian friendly," said Lamb.

"I think it's a great idea," said Emma Drudge, a Dalhousie student. "There's always problems with pedestrians and cars in this area."

On the Carleton Campus, at Robie and South streets, the plan calls for two 16-storey towers to be added to the Tupper medical building for nurse training and research.

On the Sexton Campus in downtown Halifax, there is a plan for a five-storey innovative design, engineering and architecture building — dubbed the IDEA building.

Lamb said the plan is both a way for Dalhousie University to remain competitive, and to survive.

"We have to attract students from outside the province in order to meet the demographic challenges and you can't do that offering crumbling buildings and cramped classrooms," he said.

"If we're going to recruit the students … we need to do this work."

At this point, Lamb said, it's not clear how the university would cover the costs of the plan.