National Center for Smart Growth

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/21472

The National Center for Smart Growth (NCSG) works to advance the notion that research, collaboration, engagement and thoughtful policy development hold the key to a smarter and more sustainable approach to urban and regional development. NCSG is based at the University of Maryland, College Park, housed under the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, with support from the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, the A. James Clark School of Engineering, the School of Public Policy, and the Office of the Provost.

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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, Riem
The 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.
57 Creekside: A Luxury Apartment and Retail Community
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2014) Kohler, Tyler; McFarland, Margaret
KMK Development is currently soliciting an investment opportunity that can generate returns of up to 19% on equity. The project entails a mixed-use real estate development for residential rental units and ground floor retail located in Frederick, Maryland. To accomplish this project KMK Development has established a relationship with The City of Frederick to expedite acquisition and to fulfill the project’s development potential. The project’s expected stabilization is projected for Fall 2017 if KMK can develop investor interest by the close of 2014.
A Solar Microgrid Retrofit Analysis in Greenbelt, Prince George’s County, Maryland
(2023) Cummings, Izabelle; Kesey, Chloë; Long, Kelly; Schriver, Wesley; May, Peter
This Greenbelt Microgrid Analysis was facilitated by the University of Maryland (UMD) Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS) program, which partnered with the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment to have students from the UMD Department of Environmental Science and Technology (ENST) develop the following report after a semester long research effort. The effort identified two large, low- to moderate-income apartment complexes that could host enough rooftop area to generate meaningful power to support a neighborhood microgrid. Demographics were determined using the US EPA’s Environmental Justice Mapping Tool. The apartment complexes—Franklin Park Apartments and Greenbrier Condominiums—are both in Greenbelt and fall between the 33rd and 95th percentile for low income. For the two apartment complexes, a combined 28.16 acres of usable rooftop area suitable for solar photovoltaic panels was calculated using the Google Earth Pro measuring tools which factor in regulatory buffers for rooftop access for fire and safety and eliminate tree-shaded rooftop areas. The power output for this area of solar panels totaled 9,025.61 megawatt hours (MWh) annually, which would make it one of the largest solar arrays in the state of Maryland. The total 2023 cost estimate for the installing commercially rated panels with an assumed efficiency of 20% was $21,048,135. Two examples of implemented microgrid projects were analyzed, the EcoBlock in Oakland, California and the Brooklyn Microgrid in New York City, New York. The use of clustered and distributed battery storage applications external to the apartments are discussed as well as the use of the innovative “flywheel” physical energy storage system, which doesn’t use combustible and expensive battery componentry. The establishment of the microgrids is also explored through the lens of community “resiliency hubs” in case of disaster as well as on for day-to-day potential energy cost savings to the apartment residents and building owners. Insights into local, state and federal regulations and financial incentives are also explored. This effort supports the Prince George’s County Climate Action Plan Commitments including: Climate Leadership, Community Health, Transition to Renewable Energy, Residential Resilience, and Justice and Equity. The analysis also specifically supports the Climate Action Plan’s Priority Recommendation M-3, Accelerate Deployment of Resilient Energy Systems, including, “Lead community wide battery storage and microgrid development,” and “Provide residents and building owners with information, resources and technical assistance to facilitate community adoption of battery storage and microgrids.”
Accessibility and Infrastructure in The City of Frederick
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2014) Gerbes, Katie; Pastore, Max; Rockwell, Zachary; Liu, Chao
This report analyzes pedestrian and bus accessibility in the City of Frederick using three methods: geospatial analysis, cataloging photographs and surveys. ArcMap was used to map the locations of four vulnerable populations: the elderly, renters, minorities, and those with low vehicle ownership. This information was overlaid with a quarter-mile walkshed from Frederick County TransIT bus lines to identify neighborhoods that are both high risk and appear to have limited accessibility. After identifying neighborhoods, the team cataloged and geocoded the existing neighborhood infrastructure. Finally, a survey of City residents gathered information about their attitudes and habits about riding the bus and walking as a means of transportation. The report’s findings are mixed: bus accessibility and usage is low, while the City excels in walking infrastructure and accessibility.
Adapting Assateague: Design for Resilient Buildings and Landscapes at Assategue State Park
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2021) Dibella, Nick; Jamero, Samantha; Lee, Jihee; Konan, Yan; Vandergoot, Jana Kristina; Ezban, Michael Thaler
Through their work with the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland (UMD), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) commissioned this report from the university’s Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). PALS works with local jurisdictions throughout Maryland to identify projects and problems that can be taught through university courses where students focus on developing innovative, research-based solutions. Adapting Assateague Studio is an architectural studio concentration on advanced topical inquiry. This course was run in partnership with the PALS program. The Studio was tasked to work directly with the Department of Natural Resources to design a new Ranger Station and create a Resiliency Masterplan for the island.
Adapting Tree Co-Benefit Calculators with the Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2020) Anderson, Jeremiah; Boyette, Brooke; Donesky, Jonathan; Dowling, Catherine; Ricciuti, David; Carroll, Mark
Through their work with the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland (UMD), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) commissioned this report from the university’s Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). PALS works with local jurisdictions throughout Maryland to identify projects and problems that can be taught through university courses where students focus on developing innovative, research-based solutions. Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition (GBWC) and Maryland Department of Natural Resources are seeking a comprehensive review of the benefits (both environmental and non-environmental) that planting trees can provide to the Baltimore County region. The intent of the research is to provide GBWC with information that will aid in the creation of a tool/calculator that outlines the benefits tree planting provides within the county and encourages private landowners to do so. This report centers obtaining is on the lesser-known benefits of trees, such as improvement to the physical and mental health of individuals which is lacking in currently available tree co-benefit calculators.
Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances in Maryland: Inappropriate Use, Inconsistent Standards, and Unintended Consequences
(2006) The National Center for Smart Growth
The purpose of this study is to examine the implementation and effects of APFOs and the relationship between APFOs and Maryland’s Smart Growth policy. Thirteen counties and 12 incorporated municipalities in Maryland have enacted ordinances designed to assure that infrastructure necessary to support proposed new development is built concurrently with, or prior to, that new development. These Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances, or APFOs as they are commonly called, are designed to assure that public schools, roads, sewers, water for fire fighting, police and rescue response times and/or other infrastructure or services are “adequate” to support proposed new development. APFOs are timing devices that can be a useful tool for managing urban growth. When properly used, they can help ensure that needed facilities and services are available for new development and can signal to planners and elected officials what types of infrastructure, in which particular growth areas, are in need of additional capital improvement spending. They are intended to provide the rationale for prioritizing infrastructure investment decisions. As of April 2005, 13 counties and 12 municipalities had implemented APFO ordinances. In terms of categories of services included in the 12 county APFOs, all cover schools and roads. While two counties limit their APFOs to those two service categories, nine others include water and sewage capacity; three include water for fire suppression in rural areas, two include police/fire/rescue services; and one includes recreation. Not only do categories of services included in the APFOs vary, but so do a) the standards used to gauge adequacy, and b) the approaches taken by the counties when a development proposal is judged as leading to service or facility inadequacy. Moreover, APFO standards in a given jurisdiction can and do change over time as local elected officials respond to the concerns of constituents, other stakeholders and changing public policy objectives. This study finds that APFOs in Maryland are often poorly linked to capital improvement plans, and moratoria can last for indefinite periods of time. Further, the consequences of APFOs in Maryland are often unintended and their effects frequently contrary to the broader land use policies of the state. In many counties that employ APFOs, they have become the dominant planning tool rather than just one of many tools a county might use to manage its growth. When roads, schools or other infrastructure are judged to be insufficient to meet the standards established within APFOs, the result is often a moratorium on building until the infrastructure is ready to come on line. Often, the only way these moratoria can only be lifted is through the payment of impact fees by developers. These fees are, in turn, passed through to new home buyers. While this practice is justified by some observers as being consistent with the “benefit standard” (i.e., those who benefit from a particular service or facility should be the ones to pay for it), it ignores the benefits that accrue to the community from new development. Another perspective is that it places a disproportionate burden for the cost of new infrastructure on new home buyers. Under the latter perspective, if new development is consistent with a jurisdiction’s comprehensive plan, then it is appropriate for the funding for needed services and services be borne by the jurisdiction as a whole. The study also finds that APFOs are applied in ways that often deflect development away from the very areas designated for growth in county comprehensive plans to rural areas never intended for growth, to neighboring counties, or even to adjacent states. An analysis of the effects of APFOs on housing in Harford, Howard, and Montgomery counties found that over a three-year period, APFOs deflected as much as 10 percent of the new home development that otherwise would have been built within the PFAs of those counties. It is likely that the cumulative effect is that the amount of housing available in those counties is reduced, housing prices are inflated, and the growth simply moves elsewhere. APFO consistency with a local comprehensive plan is possible only if adequate funding is allocated to provide necessary infrastructure in the plan’s designated areas. That, however, is often not the case. In short, APFOs appear to be fueling the same pattern of development the state’s Smart Growth policy is intended to curtail. This result appears to be at odds with both the intent underlying the enactment of local Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances and the land use goals of the state.
Affordable Housing in Brunswick, MD
(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Anderson, Will; Edmondson-Deigh, Kaya-Nadine; Lehman, Erin; Pearson-Merkowitz, Shanna
Brunswick is a rapidly growing city in rural Maryland that needs an affordable housing stock to keep up with its population growth. We examine if and how an Inclusionary Zoning program in the city could be used to create affordable housing units and how it would assist the city in its goal of a more integrated community. We will evaluate if an Inclusionary Zoning program would be appropriate, and we make specific recommendations for city policy. Mixed-income housing is one potential tool to provide affordable housing options to Brunswick residents. Several key factors in planning mixed income housing are evaluated, including the allocation of units to different income levels, proximity among income levels, density and housing type, tenure, and duration. Finally, we discuss why mixed income housing is right for Brunswick, and how planners can make it attractive to both subsidized and market rate occupants. Subsequently, we discuss state and federal opportunities for affordable housing, such as Community Development Block Grants and active grant opportunities through the Notice of Funding Opportunities. We highlight a federal program that provides funding for affordable senior housing. We also discuss how the support of nonprofit organizations is beneficial to this process. Finally, we end with final recommendations for Brunswick.
Affordable Housing Preservation and Development Analysis
(Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Glen-Williams, Michael; Lamprea-Barragan, Tania; Pearson, Shanna
This paper is a product of the Foundation of Social Policy research project, partnering with UMD’s Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). It aims to shed light on affordability concerns surrounding rural housing in Maryland. We’ve been tasked by the Rural Maryland Council (RMC) to assess state policies from around the nation that have developed successful affordable-housing programs and to provide details on implementation in Maryland. The report’s primary goal is to offer a comprehensive examination of the challenges and barriers associated with rural housing affordability. Furthermore, the report endeavors to pinpoint key stakeholders and initiatives that have shaped rural housing policy in Maryland. Through these analyses, we aim to gain insights into the issue, enabling us to formulate meaningful recommendations and potential strategies to tackle these pressing challenges effectively.
Aging in Place in Howard County: A Survey of Older Adults
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2016) Amjed, Owais; Bravo, Joselin; Coulibaly, Dandio; Datagni, Ifare; Dialino, Karmel; Duong, Jenny; Duran, Janice; Ewane, Leticia; Flores, Nancy; Giron, Christopher; Goli, Yasaman; Goonewardene, Dilani; Harrison, Tiffany; Hong, Mason; Jackson, Jonee; Jang, Michelle; Le, Thy; Lopez, Elizabeth; Nallo, Satta; O'Neal, Aleeyah; Ramirez, Flor; Riesberg, Kristen; Saliente, Keith; Sande, Thokozani; Smet, Brenna; Thomas, Tenyamen; Villanueva, Juan; Young-Sebok, Orsolya; Cook, Lynn
This report is a compilation of original research conducted by students in the course SPGL498G, Pubic Health in the City, during the spring 2016 semester at the University of Maryland College Park. (See Appendix A) Students interviewed older adults in Howard County to determine factors that could impact their ability to age in place. We defined aging in place (AIP) as, “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently and comfortably regardless of age, income or ability level.” (CDC, n.d.) Research has shown that 90% of older adults express a desire to age in place and many characteristics affect their ability to do so, including their financial status, social supports, functional abilities, and access to housing. (Golant, 2008). We sought the answers to the following research questions: What percentage of older adults in Howard County desire to AIP, and how does this vary by age, gender, race/ethnicity?; Can we distinguish between different levels of preference? (generalized preference vs. desire to AIP even with a disability); What are the characteristics of those who wish to AIP?; How do County residents use existing resources such as 50+ Centers?; What is the impact of 50+ Centers on older adults’ well-being? Currently, 10.1% of Howard County’s population is 65 years of age or older. By the year 2040, it is estimated that this population will more than double, to 22.4%. (Engelberg, 2016) We aimed to both identify barriers and facilitating factors to aging in place in Howard County. Finally, we make recommendations for changes to existing programming or policies that could assist residents who want to age in place.
Air Quality in Prince George’s County During the COVID-19 Pandemic
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2020) Koroleva, Galina; Marinelli, Michael; Oliver, Lily; Via, James; White, Nefretari; Carroll, Mark
Through their work with the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland (UMD), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) commissioned this report from the university’s Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). PALS works with local jurisdictions throughout Maryland to identify projects and problems that can be taught through university courses where students focus on developing innovative, research-based solutions. The county is interested in knowing if spatial differences air quality were apparent during the early stages of the pandemic and if these observed differences can be linked to changes in vehicular traffic. If spatial variations in air quality exist, the county would like to know what Equity Emphasis Areas within the county were most impacted by the changes in air quality. Additionally, the county is seeking policy recommendations that will encourage automobile usage patterns similar to those observed in early stages of the pandemic. This report centers obtaining historical air quality data from multiple air quality stations, health implications associated with the air quality data, and conducting policy research that will guide the team in developing recommendations for Prince George's County.
Algae in Carroll Creek: Green Infrastructure and Community Greening Approaches
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2014) Clark, Jesse; Dennis, Mark; Doeller, Matthew; Fleming, Seth; Gilbert, Nicholas; Gaimano, Josh; Narang, Jaspreet; Noyes, Patrick; Petrusic, Luke; McCartney, Timothy; Reilly, Dylan; Samuel, Rochelle; Spensieri, Adam; Treacy, Stephanie; Yi, Vincent; Myers, David N.
This report describes green infrastructure and community greening approaches to address excess algae in Carroll Creek in The City of Frederick. This report was written as partial fulfillment of course requirements for LARC 452: Green Infrastructure and Community Greening. Addressing excess algae in Carroll Creek is a complex problem that merits multifaceted approaches. The students in the class also recognized previous efforts that have been in part successful in documenting and reducing some of the algae in Carroll Creek. The report is organized into five sections: 1) a review of selected watershed reports; 2) a case study of the San Antonio Riverwalk; 3) approaches that address the symptoms of algae; 4) approaches that address the root course of excess nutrients; and 5) establishing a Carroll Creek watershed advocacy group.
All Dogs Go to Prince George’s County: Finding a Home for a Second Animal Services Facility
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2018) Flom, Karin; Joshi, Rahul; Pathak, Nitish; Shell, Nayo; Zhang, Binya; Liu, Chao
As a continuation of the Fall 2017 PALS project, Spring 2018 semester students from the community planning and engineering programs used advanced computer mapping tools (geographic information system, or GIS) to provide Prince George’s County with potential sites to build a second animal shelter. The team attempted to find land that the county already owned, but none of the parcels met the requirements. The team found a solution to this problem by including distressed shopping centers in the site analysis. From these forty shopping centers, eleven were chosen for their location within the county’s Growth Policy Center. We used ArcGIS Online to understand how many potential adopters could reach these facilities within fifteen and thirty minutes. We then chose the five shopping centers closest to the most people and households. We present these to Prince George’s County as potential candidate sites. The link for the county to access the ArcGIS Online website to view the maps and site locations is: http://uofmd.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=ea8cc7f3ca154064939db517e24b4606.
Analysis and Scenario Planning for Fairland and Briggs Chaney, Maryland
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2021) Van Allen, Max; Gaunaurd, Pierre; Johnson, Nicholas; Kotzker, Sophie; Luna, Alondra; Reitman, Carter; Trowell, Khayla; von Stetten, Tim; Woldu, Marta; Irazabal, Clara
This report is the output of the Fall 2021 Urban Studies and Planning studio at the University of Maryland, College Park. Through the Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), our class partnered with Montgomery County’s Planning Department to provide a planning sector analysis and scenario plans to aid in the development of the new Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan, which is organized and guided by the draft general plan for the county, Thrive Montgomery 2050. The scope of work included analysis of existing conditions within the plan boundaries and the provision of three scenario plans ranging from no change to high levels of change. We concentrated our attention within three thematic areas of emphasis: climate change adaptation and mitigation, economic and community development, and housing. Moreover, our central guiding principle for this project was justice; it informs everything we present here, and we hope that our work will contribute to its achievement. The report is organized into two major parts. In part I, in analysis of existing conditions, we cover a wide range of planning topics, including the history of the plan-area and special considerations related to our thematic areas of emphasis. In Part II, we present three scenarios of alternative futures for the plan-area: status quo, reform, and revolution.
Analysis of Potential for County/City Shared Service Delivery: Board of Elections
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2016) Obima, Isioma; Pimental, Ian; Epey, Koukou; Andrada, Guillermo; Coriale, Kenneth
As a group, we concentrated our efforts into setting an optimal resolution by merging the Board of Supervisors of Elections of Annapolis with the Board of Elections of Anne Arundel County. The objective of this department will be to provide efficiency for the tasks of providing and maintaining a properly administration for all federal, state or local elections that will hold in the future.
Analysis of Potential for County/City Shared Service Delivery: Mass Transit
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2016) Bloch, Perry; Yao, Yao; Goldman, Josh; Coriale, Kenneth
The public transit systems in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County can operate more efficiently and effectively as a combined entity. With fewer routes, increased route coverage, and a smaller payroll, the efficiency of the new organization will be greater than that of each of the current organizations independently.
Analysis of Potential for County/City Shared Service Delivery: Parks and Recreation
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2016) Bedi, Nazar; Beyegue, Laetitia; Joyce, Ray; Nagarur, Kaushik; Nur, Mohamed; Saraogi, Abhinav; Coriale, Kenneth
Analysis of Potential for County/City Shared Service Delivery: Police Department
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2016) Livingston, Scott; Wong, Aaron; Coriale, Kenneth
Analysis of Potential for County/City Shared Service Delivery: Public Works & Utilities
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2016) Joyce, Ryan; Roos, Alexander; Chen, Xiaoyou; Welch, Miles; Kamassee, Othniel; Coriale, Kenneth
The Public Works & Utilities department plays an integral role in any municipal day to day operations. The following proposal details our plan for the combination of specific Public Works and Utilities services between Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis. A lay out of what the Public Works and Utilities department would look like after county and city services are combined is included. The reduction and combination of personnel, with a focus on ratios of outward-facing personnel to service needs, increases efficiency and minimizes unnecessary salary expenditures on employees with overlapping responsibilities.
Analysis of Proposed Hotel and Conference Center in Downtown Fredrick, MD
(Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2014) Kim, Won; Beaver, Ryan; Adam, Rebecca; Hedberg, Shawn; Kirsch, Nick; Klink, Andrew; Dastidar, Protiti
The City of Frederick has joined with PALS and the University of Maryland Smith School of Business to assess a proposed hotel and conference center planned for downtown Frederick. They are particularly interested in assessing the demand for the meeting space planned, and better understanding the likely economic impacts of businesses and nonprofit organizations making use of the conference center. An analysis of the trade show and events industry was conducted to provide additional background as the City and its private partners continue to develop their plans and goals for the project. Two conference centers in similar cities were analyzed to assess likely economic impacts and best practices for marketing strategies. Finally, the regional competitive landscape for conferences and private event venues was analyzed, and opportunities for business development were identified.