This paper focuses on student assignment and building capacity components of school utilization. School utilization planning requires an understanding of space needs for the range of academic programs offered in a school, as well as classroom and common spaces available for student use and the number of students anticipated in the future. Paper examines: student assignment policies and practices that influence school enrollment; current school size target enrollment ranges to meet program goals; a new model for assessing building capacity based on instructional use, and; trends in school utilization expected in the next decade. 14p

Discusses a variety of ways in which the Portland District makes efficient use of its school sites including use of modular classrooms, building multi-story schools, sharing use of school sites for both District and other public/community agencies, locating schools on smaller sites, alternative parking arrangements and use of swing sites. 6p

Instead of focusing on the application of formulae to strictly categorized space types, this describes an evolved comprehensive space planning practice for colleges and universities that emphasizes utilization, economic value, quality, and accountability both to the institutional mission and to stakeholders.

Summarizes an analysis of space utilization of Brooklyn's PS-15 elementary school, a facility that houses a traditional and a charter school, as well as community services. The report reveals that the traditional classrooms are typically undersized and crowded, while the charter school classrooms are somewhat better. The report also addresses space for special education, impending issues for shared spaces (cafeteria, gymn, auditorium), and the inadequacy of the school library. 6p.

Presents an annual report published by the New York City Department of Education. The report includes the physical capacity of all Department of Education buildings to serve students, compared to the actual enrollment of the building, which together allow for a standard framework with which to assess the utilization of the buildings. The report provides information on buildings operating with insufficient capacity, allowing planning for major capital projects (including new school buildings, school annexes and additions, and other upgrades that expand a buildings capacity); understanding the conditions under which multiple schools share a single building; and making informed decisions about enrollment growth or placement of new schools or programs in under-utilized buildings.

Presents higher education space planning advice from The Australasian Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association. Sections of the document address management, types, allocations, standards, benchmarks, utilization, and modeling of space. The Guidelines offer formulas for calculating square meterage for academic, support, library, parking, and cafeteria use, along with a detailed chart suggesting space guidelines by department and discipline. 60p.

Discusses effective space budgeting and allocation practices and processes needed by higher education administrators. Includes a case study of Middle Tennessee State University.

Discusses at length the challenges of designing complex STEM buildings. Strategic thinking is required.

Observes that, while fewer new schools are being built, there may be less need for new schools because of less movement of population. In renovations, an architect's plans for expansion might not be releveant, since schools typically need not just additional space, but different use of space. In some instances, removal of classrooms can open up spaces for larger corridors and can provide gathering space.

Profiles four schools that use technology, new design concepts, and flexible furnishings to reinvent their teaching spaces. Curved rooms, interconnected and networked electronic wall displays, modular furnishings on wheels, and classrooms with no front are described.

This article discusses the fact that more and more libraries are devoting less space to printed books, and are thus reimagining the physical space of the library. Profiles the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Applied Engineering and Technology Library.

Discusses historical trends in space per student provisions, noting an increased demand for smaller class size and space to accommodate technology, even while the amount of land available for schools has diminished.

Advises on calculation and utilization of classroom space use and utilization, space inventory, maximizing available space through density, updating and reuse of older space, and student activity space needs.

Presents an interview with Amy Yurko, an efficiency programmer and planner for schools. She discusses capacity, scheduling, removing clutter, sharing spaces, adaptability of buildings from different eras, and current trends in school facility management.

Discusses higher education space management, focusing on college space planning professionals who concentrate their efforts in ensuring that all space is properly outfitted and used as much as possible. Growing space needs, departmental hoarding of space, the cost of building and maintaining space, and new types of spaces that are in demand are addressed.