What is the Oregon Experiment?
A. The Oregon Experiment refers to the University of Oregon’s campus planning process. It outlines the six fundamental principles that guide the planning process on campus. These principles are organic order, piecemeal growth (or continuous adaptation), patterns, diagnosis, participation, and coordination. The term “Oregon Experiment” comes from Christopher Alexander (who wrote three books based on the experience of working with the University of Oregon in the early 1970s: The Oregon Experiment, A Pattern Language, and A Timeless Way of Building). A more thorough introduction to this planning process can be found here. The Oregon Experiment was adopted as the University of Oregon’s planning process in the early 1970s. In 1991, it was integrated into the 1991 Long Range Campus Development Plan. The current 2005 Campus Plan retains the principles of the Oregon Experiment.
