Physical Planning, Development & Operations – The place for information about Physical Planning, Development & Operations departments, processes, and resources. (original) (raw)
Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO) integrates six core campus departments: Planning Services, Design & Construction, Work Management, Physical Plant Services, Space Management, and Energy Management. These departments have been strategically consolidated into three primary units: Planning, Design & Construction; Facilities Management; and the Business Office. This unified structure streamlines campus planning and operational services. PPDO is a department within the Division of Finance, Operations and Administration (FOA).
Units
The Planning, Design & Construction unit guides development initiatives while balancing infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship and community integration. The unit ensures all projects comply with the Long Range Development Plan and key environmental regulations, providing critical oversight of the university’s physical growth. The Planning, Design & Construction unit manages capital construction and maintenance projects with a focus on creating sustainable and functional facilities. Through collaborative partnerships across campus and with local agencies, the department maintains excellence in design while preserving UCSC’s unique natural environment and meeting community needs.
Learn more about Planning, Design & Construction
The university’s Facilities Management unit operates through three interconnected departments to maintain and optimize campus operations. Physical Plant Services handles essential maintenance and fleet management, ensuring the campus remains clean, safe, and functional for all community members. Space Management oversees the allocation and tracking of campus facilities, maintaining comprehensive databases and providing strategic insights for space utilization and planning. The Energy Management team leads sustainability efforts by monitoring utility usage, implementing energy-efficient solutions, and advancing the campus’s environmental goals through innovative technologies and practices.
Learn more about Facilities Management
The Business Office unit provides the back-office and administrative support for all PPDO departments. Among its responsibilities are executing the bidding and contracting process for construction projects, administering department disbursement and procurement, running the operations support group, administering local recharge financial processes, and administering the archival construction data systems.
Learn more about the Business Services
Frequently Requested Services
Physical Plant Services
Work Orders
CruzFix Work Orders allow students, faculty, and staff to submit service requests via an intuitive and streamlined app on their mobile device or desktop.
Planning, Design & Construction Services
Start-A-Project
To start any facility or infrastructure-related improvement project, the Primary Project Contact or Principal Officer for the Division must initiate a Start-A-Project Request.
Estimates
A cost estimate is an accurate accounting of expected project costs. The more accurate & detailed the scope of work, the more detailed and accurate the estimate.
Planning Reviews
Planning reviews are conducted in accordance with the guidelines established by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Spaces
Complete a request for internal campus space or release it back to Capital and Space Planning. Submitted requests are collected and reviewed by the University Space Committee.
Fleet Services
Fleet Work Orders
Fleet Services offers a wide array of services to help you further the mission of the University. Click below to learn more about the services we offer.
UCruz Vehicle Rentals
A variety of rental vehicle options, off-campus fueling options, and Fastrak toll options to meet your University travel needs.
What We Do
151
Active Capital
projects
538
Actively occupied and
maintained facilities
5.8
Million square feet of
maintained facilities
3,694
Combined years of service
12
LEED-certified green buildings
2,030
acres of UCSC-owned and operated properties
Panoramic ocean views and enchanting redwood forests make UC Santa Cruz one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States, but UCSC is so much more than just a pretty place.
Plans for our future
PPDO is actively managing several major projects to bring much-needed housing to the main campus. The Kresge Revitalization is ongoing and will conclude in Fall 2026 with an updated Kresge College. We are working towards decarbonizing our campus, electrifying our fleet, and studying circulation patterns to strategize infrastructure improvements across campus. We are thrilled to continue developing and maintaining facilities to support the research mission of the university. Fiat slug!
2026 Projects
UCOP Seismic Evaluation
The Kresge Renewal
A mix of new construction and renovation, the Kresge Renewal Project includes more housing and new academic space, all designed to strengthen the student experience.
Student Housing West – Family Student Housing, Hagar Site
Student Housing West includes bed space for more than 3,000 students. The project, spread over two campus sites, also allows UC Santa Cruz to expand childcare services.
2027 Projects
Student Housing West – Family Student Housing, Heller Site
2028 Projects
What’s Next?
Stay in touch
Stay connected with PPDO’s latest initiatives and community impact. Download our Annual Report to see what we’ve accomplished together, subscribe to our Quarterly Newsletter (coming soon) for regular updates and stories from the field, or reach out directly; email us at ppdo@ucsc.edu.
We look forward to sharing our journey with you,
Emil Zordilla
Associate Vice Chancellor, Physical Planning, Development & Operations