The University of California, Merced is the first new university in California in 40 years and will eventually serve 25,000 students. A long range development plan was created in 2001-2003 which addressed an environmentally sensitive and politically controversial agricultural site by taking advantage of a lakeside location; using an gridded urban form (mostly pedestrianized), closely positioned buildings, and trees to ensure shaded pathways; deferring to topography and drainage including existing irrigation canals; and locating recreational areas in low lying areas. Through these and other design moves, a series of neighborhoods was created with a "main street" at the center that becomes the social heart of the campus. The orientation of the plan responds to the solar envelope, prevailing winds, and the desire to preserve views to the lake.

The plan incorporated many best practices in educational planning such as integrating housing with academic functions, mixing disciplines, and advance planning for long term infrastructure requirements. Implementation of the long-range plan is ongoing but the first phases of the university have already been built and are operational. Sustainability was a significant theme of the plan, which was incorporated into design guidelines and the planning of infrastructure. A central utility corridor allows for expansions and upgrades over time, including for measures like district cooling. All the buildings built to date are LEED Platinum.