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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Item Impact Consulting Fellowship: Strategic Recommendations for Community Forklift(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Doncheva, Alexandra; Salunkhe, Ashish; Sfakiyanudis, Dimitri; Patel, Harshil; Huang, Julia; Lek, Kim; Mahajan, Mohnish; Cassell, Peter; Murumkar, Tanvi; Patil, Rutwik; Farshchi, NimaA visit to the Community Forklift warehouse, allowed us to view operational processes and bottlenecks, and social media and advertising data, our team has the following suggestions to meet Community Forklift’s goals to boost revenue, increase consumer base, engage the community, donate items away, and help keep items out of the landfill by finding them new homes. Community Forklift has a unique spirit, and we believe people will want to be part of an organization with a great mission, acting to make a difference. We believe Community Forklift is a great cause and our suggestions aim for smoother and more effective ways to meet the mission.Item Impact Consulting Fellowship: Strategic Recommendations for Community Forklift(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Doncheva, Alexandra; Salunkhe, Ashish; Sfakiyanudis, Dimitri; Patel, Harshil; Huang, Julia; Lek, Kim; Mahajan, Mohnish; Cassell, Peter; Murumkar, Tanvi; Patil, Rutwik; Farshchi, NimaA visit to the Community Forklift warehouse, allowed us to view operational processes and bottlenecks, and social media and advertising data, our team has the following suggestions to meet Community Forklift’s goals to boost revenue, increase consumer base, engage the community, donate items away, and help keep items out of the landfill by finding them new homes. Community Forklift has a unique spirit, and we believe people will want to be part of an organization with a great mission, acting to make a difference. We believe Community Forklift is a great cause and our suggestions aim for smoother and more effective ways to meet the mission.Item Understanding and Improving Anacostia Watershed Water Quality(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Andrelchik, Amy; Hunter, Alexis; Hurtado Olson, Aziz; Hyde, Rebecca; Majadly, Ahlam; Moats, Rachel; Morton,Caroline; Pasternak, Barrie; Phan, Que; Pulley, Anna; Reitenbach, Claire; Touray, Fatoumata Wesley Wiggins, Jasmine Wilkins; Goldstein, Rachel Rosenberg Ph.D., MPH,The Anacostia River Watershed is an often-overlooked watershed in the backyard of the nation’s capital. While water quality has improved throughout the rest of the United States, the Anacostia Watershed has continued to have poor water quality, including the presence of fecal indicator bacteria that suggest the presence of other disease-causing microorganisms (pathogens). Although it’s not used for drinking water, the presence of pathogens in the Anacostia River is a public health concern as this waterbody is used recreationally and for fishing by a wide group of users, including the largely BIPOC communities that live in the watershed’s communities. Students in MIEH 600 (Foundations of Environmental Health), an introductory graduate course in the University of Maryland School of Public Health, were given the opportunity to examine priority issues identified by the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS): the impact of pet waste and vessel waste on the Anacostia River. Students applied quantitative and communication skills in two assignments: an environmental health fact sheet and a water sample report. Four students chose to create fact sheets and accompanying PowerPoint presentations. All fourteen students participated in water sampling, analysis, and water sample report preparation.Item Visioning Lakeland: Restorative Justice Through Scenario Planning(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Abel, Paul; Anderson, Alanna; Elson, Jona; Gebru, Dominique; Hauodi, Salma; Islam, Anonnya; Islam, Maisha; Jamero, Samantha; Jones, Asia; Lee, Jihee; Ravert, Megan; Sanford, Mimi; Seyedebrahimi, Ebrahim; Tram, Judy; Walker, Emma; Woods, Kayla; Irazábal Zurita, Clara E. , Arch., M.Sc., M.Arch., Ph.D.Lakeland is a vibrant historically African American community in College Park that has faced the lasting consequences of decades of discriminatory policies and neglect. From the era of forced segregation to the devastating impacts of urban renewal and now the pressures of gentrification, Lakelanders have been denied equitable access to resources and opportunities enjoyed by neighboring communities. Despite these challenges, generations have persevered, demonstrating unwavering resilience and determination. This studio explored the potential pathways to persist and attain restorative justice using scenario planning to envision Lakeland’s future in 2033. By investigating the opportunities and challenges that present themselves through status quo, reformist, and revolutionary scenarios, the resulting proposals and strategies give insight into the ways in which restorative justice can be achieved. By envisioning 2033 Lakeland scenarios through the lens of three primary themes—housing and land use, community infrastructure, and climate change mitigation and adaptation—this report addresses key indicators in each theme to inform the City of College Park, the Restorative Justice Commission, and other Lakeland organizations on methods and strategies to achieve each vision, or what will happen if action is not taken.Item Geophysical survey of Emory Grove United Methodist Church parking lot using ground-penetrating radar(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Herbert, Genevieve; Jones, Shannan; Pedersen, Matthew; Udell-Lopez, Kathrine; Schmerr, NicholasProject Background and Objectives In 1864, freed African Americans founded the Emory Grove community in Gaithersburg, Maryland. For about 100 years, since its inception, this community was vibrant and close-knit. At its height, Emory Grove was 300 acres and home to roughly 500 residents. The Emory Grove community hosted Methodist gatherings, called “camp meetings.” During the 1960s and 1970s, urban renewal led to the destruction of this once spirited community. With the goal of reestablishing community cohesion, Montgomery County’s Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) and the Emory Grove United Methodist Church envision a redevelopment project known as Heritage Emory Grove (HEG). This plan centers redevelopment efforts around the Emory Grove United Methodist Church and prioritizes historic programming and cultural amenities. The issue with the redevelopment is predominantly associated with the unmarked graves around the church and nearby cemetery that have been lost over time. Before proceeding with the redevelopment, local officials and community members want to ensure that any unmarked graves in the vicinity are identified and properly marked to avoid disturbing them during the redevelopment process. The objective of this study is to conduct a geophysical survey of the church parking lot and yard area (from hereafter referred to as the “landscaped area”) using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Ground-penetrating radar is a non-intrusive method of surveying the shallow subsurface to investigate underground structures. It uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band frequencies of the radio spectrum to detect reflected signals from subsurface structures. It is typically used for the investigation of buried utilities such as pipes, cables, masonry, asphalt, and metals, and will be invaluable in locating and identifying potential unmarked gravesites. Geological Context Montgomery County has varying geology depending on the region (Singewald et al., 1953). The central portion of the county is made up of Ijamsville phyllite, the Wissahickon formation, and the Sykesville formation. Gaithersburg is situated in a region of predominantly Wissahickon formation (i.e., banded, or laminated quartz-rich phyllites and schists containing magnetite quartz veins), but Emory Grove is situated on a strip of serpentine bedrock. The soil makeup is as diverse as the region within the Piedmont Plateau, which has experienced deep stream valley incisions and complex structural geomorphology that has resisted erosion (Maryland Dept. of State Planning, 1973).Item Ground Penetrating Radar Survey at Emory Grove Cemetery(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Islam, Aniqa; Perry, Megan; Shahid, Saffat; Schmerr, NicholasResearch Objective: The objective of this survey is to use a non-invasive method to determine if and where unmarked graves may be at the Emory Grove Cemetery. Current redevelopment proposals require the Montgomery County Planning Department to be aware of the indistinctive burial sites to prevent disturbing the graves during construction. The Emory Grove United Methodist Church officials would also like to know their locations to properly identify the graves and to determine whether the cemetery must be shut down or if there is space for further burials. Geological Context: The Maryland Geological Survey cross section in Figure 1 shows the site lies above the Mather Gorge Formation, placed during the Lower Cambrian and/or Neoproterozoic period. This more than 800 feet continuous formation of quartz-mica schist interlayered with quartzitic metagraywacke is near the Blockhouse Point Fault, an unknown fault type. While the metagraywacke is subordinate, it is more visible as it has a higher resistance to weathering than the dominant schist [1].Item 15 Minute Neighborhoods in College Park, Maryland(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-05) Anderson, Alanna; Arazi, David; Attipoe, Senam; Elson, Jona; Goode, Maeghen; Jones, Asia; Malhotra, Aarushi; Provolo, Emmanuelle; Ravert, Megan; Sanabia, Rafael; Sanford, Mimi; Santana, Ariana; Thorpe, Carey; Walker, Emma; Woods, Kayla; Elzoghbi, RiemThe Department of Planning and Community Development in the City of College Park, Maryland is exploring the concept of a 15 Minute City to facilitate the creation of amenity-rich, easily accessible neighborhoods throughout the community. A 15 Minute City is an urban planning concept used to describe a city in which amenities and services - such as retail, education, social services, recreation, employment, and other needs - may be easily accessed within a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or commute by public transport from any point in the city. The urban fabrics of such cities incorporate a wide range of mixed-use developments, bike and pedestrian-friendly streets and paths, easily accessible public spaces, public transportation, and other interventions to create relatively denser, walkable, livable neighborhoods. The goal is to create neighborhoods in which residents, particularly residents for whom mobility may be restricted due to cost, disability, time, and other constraints, may satisfy their everyday needs within their existing neighborhoods. 15 Minute Cities are posited to increase equity by making accessible amenities and services within neighborhoods, reduce car-dependency, promote sustainability, healthy lifestyles, and aging in place, improve social relations, and generally improve the quality of life within communities. In partnership with the Department of Planning and Community Development, student planners in the Urban Studies and Planning Program at the University of Maryland’s School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation investigated and provided recommendations on ways in which existing neighborhoods in College Park may be transformed into 15 Minute Cities. The project was conducted during Spring Semester 2024 as part of the graduate-level URSP673 Community Development course, under the guidance of Dr. Riem ElZoghbi.Item Improving Safety around the West Hyattsville Metro Station(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-05) Crone, Rachel; Levine, Josie; Richmond, Alan; Tambal, Awad; Winger, Isaiah; Brown, PaulThe West Hyattsville Metro Station in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is a crucial piece of transportation infrastructure that allows those who live in the Mount Rainier area to access jobs and resources across the region. However, the area around the station is prone to collisions between cars and pedestrians and cyclists and is in a somewhat crime-ridden area. This can make safely accessing and using this vital infrastructure difficult for people who live in the surrounding community. Our group used a mixed-methodology approach to uncover the problems around the station and best practices to remedy them. Academic articles, reports, maps, interviews, and site visits revealed the area’s problems and possible solutions. We found insufficient cycling infrastructure, missing pedestrian infrastructure, and an environment that doesn’t protect against crime. To increase safety and access to the West Hyattsville Metro Station for the surrounding community, we recommend: HAWK crossing signals, lane reductions, street art, median refuge islands, crosswalks, and sidewalks to increase pedestrian safety cycle tracks, protected intersections, and speed limit reductions on various roads to increase cyclist safety lighting and security cameras on surrounding trails developing WMATA’s lots and eliminating negative land use features through redevelopment. Our recommendations don’t reflect financial considerations. Instead, we created a set of recommendations that attempt to maximize safety based on current best practices. Additionally, we did not account for how the recommendations would impact traffic flow, which would require different data and expertise.Item The Art of Creative Placemaking in Maryland(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-05) Bellas, Maya; Neal, Sydney; Omoniyi-Alake, Olabisi; Vyes, Reva; Brown, PaulHow can local governments in Maryland with no experience in creative placemaking engage in the process, and how can state agencies, such as the Maryland Department of Planning, aid local governments? This paper outlines the best practices for both local and state governments. It recommends local governments address areas of underuse, address their demographic, involve their communities, and find metrics to measure the outcomes of a project. It also recommends that state agencies provide funding and structural support for local creative placemaking projects, and to be an open resource for local jurisdictions. These recommendations will be of value to both state agencies and local governments interested in fostering creative placemaking projects in their communities.Item Small Business Development Along the Blue Line in Prince George’s County(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-05) Marfo, Rosalind; Marte-Tiburcio, Victoria; Matino, Ava; Nadeem, Amara; Thomson, Arianna; Brown, PaulFor our Public Policy Senior Capstone, this report analyzes how the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) can help build an ecosystem of support for local small businesses in Prince George’s County’s Blue Line Corridor. Specifically, our team focused on how to ensure local small businesses in the Capitol Heights and Seat Pleasant areas could stay and thrive amid incoming development. To explore this issue, we surveyed small businesses in Capitol Heights and Seat Pleasant to determine the issues they’re currently experiencing, the resources they can access, and further support they need. We determined that these businesses primarily need assistance with marketing and employment. This capstone project used background research, surveys/interviews, and data analysis to determine the best methods to support small businesses. It recommends that Prince George’s County government highlight these businesses through social media, newsletters, mail flyers, and Yellow Pages; address staffing issues by improving access to workforce systems, job recruiters, and grant programs; and that LISC helps facilitate and inform the creation of community development/business improvement organizations that lead to relationship building and resource allocation among local small businesses.