A PhDF outlines the principles and objectives for designing the physical environment, their relationship to the LRDP, and how they are integrated into project planning and design. A PhDF’s purpose describes the core planning principles that underlie the LRDP and sets forth the location’s vision for physical development. It translates high-level goals and principles found in the LRDP into design strategies at a more immediate scale. In connection with other plans, it translates the broad goals of the LRDP into tangible spatial concepts and design standards. See Bylaws of the Regents of the University of California; Charter of the Finance and Capital Strategies Committee, Appendix C; and Regents Policy 8103: Policy on Capital Project Matters.

A PhDF translates the broad goals of the LRDP into principles for the layout and character of buildings, open spaces, circulation, and landscape. It describes the desired physical qualities of the campus and the relationships among its districts, public spaces, and natural features. The PhDF helps ensure that individual projects support the location’s vision, reinforce a sense of place, and contribute to a coherent, functional, and sustainable environment. It is an important reference for campus planners, architects, and decision-makers, linking long range planning with project-level design and review.

While specific content may vary by location, a PhDF typically includes:

1. Introduction / Context. Describe the campus setting, including its physical characteristics, history, existing development pattern, and environmental context such as topography, vegetation, and open space systems.
2. Design Principles and Objectives. Define the overarching principles that guide campus development and express the desired physical qualities of the built environment. These principles often address themes such as coherence, connectivity, sustainability, inclusivity, and sense of place.
3. Spatial / Campus Organization. Present the organizing structure for campus development, including land use districts, open space networks, circulation systems, and key visual and spatial relationships that establish the framework for future projects.
4. Circulation / Mobility and Access. Describe the hierarchy and design of movement systems, including pedestrian pathways, bicycle routes, transit connections, vehicular circulation, and service access.
5. Open Space / Landscape Framework. Identify the network of open spaces—plazas, quads, courtyards, gardens, and natural areas—and outline strategies for landscape character, planting, stormwater management, and sustainability
6. Building Siting, Massing, and Design Guidance. Provide direction on building siting, height, massing, orientation, and architectural character. Address relationships among buildings, open space, and circulation, as well as design responses to climate, context, and sustainability goals.
7. Standards, Guidelines, and Design Criteria. Include design criteria or performance measures for building and site elements such as materials, lighting, signage, furnishings, and paving. These standards promote consistency while allowing design flexibility.
8. Implementation / Phasing / Review Process. Describes how the PhDF is to be used in project-level review (design review committee, alignment checks).
9. Maps, Diagrams, Illustrations. Incorporate visual materials that communicate the physical structure and design intent of the location, such as maps, diagrams, plans, sections, and illustrative perspectives.
10. Appendices and Supporting Material. Supplemental studies, related planning, and design documents that support the PhDF.

A campus submits a draft PhDF to the UCOP for review. Once the draft PhDF is finalized, it will be presented to the Regents for approval. A location prepares the Regents item and, if needed, a presentation about the PhDF requesting the Regents' approval. An PhDF may be amended at any time and is in effect until a new PhDF replaces it. PhDF amendments are accepted by the Finance and Capital Strategies Committee, unless classified as “minor,”for which authority has been delegated.