Public art and social facilities have been proposed by Leicester University as part of its £1bn campus redevelopment project.

The scheme is designed to establish the university as one of the top ten in the UK, and its new Development Framework Plan outlines £786m of investment over the next two decades to complement a £300m plan unveiled in 2002. At the centre of proposals, the university plans to establish high quality public spaces between campus buildings. Plans also includes the redevelopment of the Students' Union and the provision of a platform for arts activities in the heart of the development.

Paul Goffin, the university's director of estates, said: "The campus is like a small city within a larger city, and the university should aspire to create spaces like those which exist in the best cities, which draw people in and encourage them to stay and meet others." Vice-chancellor, Bob Burgess, added: "There are great opportunities ahead to increase our capacity for growth and improvement, and create better places to work, meet and enjoy ourselves."