The neighbourhood to the east of the campus, which is currently under development, was designed to relate to the linear, axial pattern of the SFU campus. The main pedestrian artery for the campus was extended into the community to form the University High Street. Most buildings align with the orthogonal campus grid and are designed to compliment the existing SFU architectural aesthetic created by Arthur Erickson.

Site work for this neighbourhood area commenced in the fall of 2001. This included the construction of new roads and major infrastructure for the first two phases of the neighbourhood which included the construction of the residential projects around the east side of University Crescent (also referred to as the East Highlands), and the commercial core of the community along University High Street.

Development in the East Highlands includes a mix of mid-rise towers and more family-friendly, ground-oriented townhouse units. This phase of the project also includes a park and the University Highlands Elementary School.

The commercial core of the East Neighbourhood, University High Street is a village-style block with restaurants, shops, services and a full-service grocery store and pharmacy. Designed to encourage strolling and browsing, High Street parcels are street-oriented, mixed-use buildings with retail at grade and residential units or offices above. The High Street is also home to the Town Square, public plaza that ties the campus to the residential community. It is lined on one side with cafes and restaurants and provides a venue for events, festivals and concerts for students and residents.

With the first two phases of the community completed, the third phase of the community will soon begin development. This phase incorporates the lands along the western portion of University Crescent (also referred to as the West Highlands), and like the East Highlands will feature a series of taller buildings continuing along University Crescent. The site is slopes steeply to the north allowing for terraced buildings and higher forms of development ranging from 8 to 20 storeys in height. The buildings along University Crescent will offer dramatic views of  Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains. Similar to the East Highlands, many of these buildings will also have a two-or three-storey base of street-oriented townhomes.

Phase 4 of the community includes the lower density Slopes neighbourhood (located south of University High Street east of Tower Road), which is designed to be more of a terraced “hillside” community. The Slopes will take advantage of the gentler rise and the views to the south. The buildings will generally consist of low-rise, predominately wood-frame construction thus providing a unique mix of three-and four-storey residences geared toward families.

The South Neighourhood refers to land south of UniverCity and the university campus bounded by South Campus Road, University Drive East, and Gaglardi Way.

Currently the South Neighbourhood is only contemplated in the Official Community Plan so detailed planning for the area has not yet begun. It is anticipated that this area will feature a mix of university and residential uses, served by a second elementary school, childcare facilities, and an employment centre all designed to integrate with the existing community and campus while respecting the natural heritage of Burnaby Mountain.