The University of Cambridge’s Reshaping our Estate Programme is a long-term strategic initiative to create a more effective, efficient and sustainable estate that better supports the University’s academic mission. The programme responds to challenges including ageing and inefficient buildings, high operational costs, surplus space and the need to reduce carbon emissions, while creating higher-quality environments for teaching, research, collaboration and student experience.

The programme is organised around six Principal Programmes, each supported by a sequenced framework aligning academic priorities, spatial requirements, investment and delivery. Its underpinning principles include making better use of existing buildings before constructing new space, developing a smaller and more shared estate, enabling new ways of working, improving financial and environmental sustainability, and protecting the University’s built and cultural heritage.

3pm has supported the University with programme management and strategic capital planning, helping translate complex academic and estate priorities into clear governance, decision-making and delivery structures. Our work has included supporting programme frameworks, investment planning and coordination across interconnected estate initiatives, providing the University with clearer oversight of priorities, dependencies, affordability and long-term benefits.