University Estates and Postdigital Higher Education: Space, Place, and Being a University

Estates are a key interest for universities. In an era of postdigital higher education dominated by cost, benefits, and a pursuit of value, the relations between the estate and the university are again in question. Drawing from literature on postdigital higher education, university facilities, and study of university built environments, this paper extends current debate on university estates and facilities using a space and place lens. An introduction outlines the key texts and questions for this paper. After, space and place are conceptualized and defined. These concepts are then used to revisit university estates and facilities a literature, primarily focusing on the United Kingdom and drawing on complimentary and contrasting work from the United States. The influence of material space(s) for placemaking in universities is a key focus. Subsequently, the paper challenges the influence of performance based discourse and performativity for the forms, function and stated purpose of university estates and facilities. A concluding note highlights university estates and facilities as key to concepts and practices of being a university.