Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/21474

The Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS) is administered by the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). It is a campus-wide initiative that harnesses the expertise of UMD faculty and the energy and ingenuity of UMD students to help Maryland communities become more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. PALS is designed to provide innovative, low-cost assistance to local governments while creating real-world problem-solving experiences for University of Maryland graduate and undergraduate students.

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Author: search.filters.author.Tran, CeciliaEnd date: 2019

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    Harford County Bel Air Bicycle Network Study
    (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2018) Danies, Blair; Dibra, Jenny; Foss, Garrett; Jaiye, Akin; Kim, Michael; Mayer, Paul; Palomino, Steven; Saernwald, Sara; Schwartz, James; Shepherd, Akira; Snyder, Christopher; Tran, Cecilia; Whiteley, Sarah; Zhou, Qi; Wolfe, William
    In 2013, Harford County adopted a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan that establishes goals and priorities for improving the County’s bicycle and pedestrian networks and connecting to key destinations throughout the County. In 2018, Harford County engaged with the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Capstone Studio at the University of Maryland to develop a more comprehensive plan that would include an overall strategy and suite of best practices to guide the development, implementation and expansion of the County’s bicycle network. During the studio’s first phase, students reviewed the existing plan, supporting materials, precedents of bicycle trails and Complete Streets policies, and met with planning officials to evaluate information gaps and missing links and to provide recommendations for developing links. Working in design teams, students addressed the priority connections between the County and the Town of Bel Air. The teams also identified potential connections to or expansions of the green infrastructure network and opportunities for recreational tourism. During the studio’s second phase, students undertook a more detailed analysis of the Town of Bel Air’s 2013 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to advance the proposed segments that connect to the County’s Plan. County-identified priorities include Macphail Road, MD Route 24, and the connection between downtown Bel Air and Harford Community College. The teams field verified the concepts for proposed routes. Standards for trail designs and markers were developed and marker locations were identified.
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    Brookside Gardens Stroll for Wellness
    (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2018) Barnes, Marquis; Duly, Olivia; Espinoza, Maria; Fields, Allison; Garcia, Catherine; Greenhawk, Rachel; Jackson, Jovon; Meilman, Jessica; Nola, Raena; Ren, Xiaoxuan; Rodado, Robert; Russell, Sherry; Schaum, Evan-Claire; Simpson, Lotoia; Tran, Cecilia; Whims, Jasmine; Young, Ryan; Sullivan, Jack
    The positive benefits of exposure to nature and green spaces related to wellness are well-documented. A structured walk in a garden or park setting, in combination with reflective journaling, has proven to be invaluable and life-changing to community members suffering from the adverse effects of stress and trauma suffering from grief, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other types of trauma, all of which are becoming more prevalent in our society. The Morikami Japanese Gardens in Florida, the Bloedel Reserve in Washington, and other publicly accessible gardens have developed these types of guided wellness programs. These are often referred to as prescribed or suggested “strolls” that are mapped for improving mindful, active, and engaged contact with nature. A therapeutic walking program promotes well-being and resilience in the face of adversity. With the large population of veterans in Maryland communities, plus countless local medical providers serving clients suffering from a diverse challenges, Brookside Gardens is located and poised to serve these populations and improve wellness outcomes for a range of Maryland and regional residents. As Brookside Gardens is poised to expand on health and wellness programming, it has sought the assistance of the University of Maryland’s Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). PALS assists local governments while offering valuable real-world problem-solving experience for graduate and undergraduate students. In spring 2018, the Landscape Architecture Program collaborated with PALS and Brookside Gardens to create a Special Topics Course (LARC 489Z) that offered research and technical support for the proposed “Stroll for Wellness” program. There are many populations near the Gardens who might benefit from guided wellness programming, including those suffering from trauma, depression or chronic illness. A growing body of research has documented nature’s healing effects and Brookside Gardens offers a safe, inspirational setting where visitors can immerse themselves in nature with the kinetic experience of moving through garden spaces, a resource that can spark creativity and introspection.
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    Master Plan for the Arlington Echo Campsite
    (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2017) Hartmann, Ben; Hernandez, Beverly; Berger, Max; Vitale, Simone; Whiteley, Sarah; Danies, Blair; Dibra, Jenny; Hare, Devan; Saernwald, Sara; Shepherd, Akira; Tran, Cecilia; Kim, Dong Hyun; Jaiye, Akin; Foss, Garrett; Zhou, Qi; Palomino, Steven; Snyder, Christopher; Schwartz, James; Quinn, Sean; Mayer, Paul; Ellis, Christopher
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    Odenton Town Center Park Design
    (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2016) Jaiye, Akin; Shepherd, Akira; Hernandez, Beverly; Hartmann, Benjamin; Tran, Cecilia; Kim, Dong Hyun; Berger, Max; Whiteley, Sarah; Quinn, Sean; Nola, Dennis
    The Odenton Town Center (OTC) project develops a 3.5-acre site in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The new Odenton Town Center is the result of collaboration between the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce and a team of undergraduate Landscape Architecture students at the University of Maryland, made possible by the Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). The design team prepared a detailed analysis of the site as well as two proposed alternatives for the future of Odenton Town Center. Each plan includes detailed connections to the surrounding community, diverse and engaging recreational and educational spaces for all ages, and recommendations to make the site safer and more accessible.