IV - Pattern Language Introduction to Pattern Language In 1990, WWC adopted pattern language as the conceptual tool to develop underlying principles for its land use decisions. Pattern language was developed by architect Christopher Alexander in the early 1970ʼs to assist the University of Oregon with its planning process. A pattern is any general planning principle that states a clear problem that may occur repeatedly in the environment, states the range of contexts in which the problem may occur, and gives the guidelines that will solve the problem. Patterns are dependent upon community input and continuous review. They maintain the internal physical integrity and character of a community while allowing for growth and change. The pattern language process is compatible with Warren Wilsonʼs tradition of shared governance, its legacy of land stewardship, and its use of representative committees to oversee the operations of the College. In the early 1990ʼs, Warren Wilsonʼs Long Range Land Use Committee was charged with developing “Environmental Pattern Language” for land use, energy, transportation, solid and hazardous waste, water quality, air quality, purchasing, personnel, and construction in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Since that time, several patterns have been developed, some more in keeping with the formal concepts of pattern language than others. The following sections LSPR, PCPR, SWPR, HZPR and BWPR summarize the Environmental Pattern Languages and operational plans developed by relevant stakeholders and approved through the Collegeʼs shared governance to date. The first four sections – ASPL, IVPL, CMPL and BGPL – present those patterns developed in the course of the current, 2009/2010, planning effort by the Land Use Committee.
Patterns for Administrative Planning - ADPL ADPL1
Nurtured Evolutionary Planning Develop a process for a continuously evolving plan which is constantly before the community and for which there is an oversight entity responsible to College governance and College administration.
ADPL2
Holistic Yield Value the yield of the landʼs resources holistically, accepting that as the broad goal for using the land is an educational one, the measures of production must be varied and in some instances subjective.
ADPL3
Commitment to Accessibility Develop and commit the College to an institutional standard of accessibility that meets, but need not be limited to, existing published standards. Establish a standing office, board or committee which will
11