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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    The State of 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.
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    Cycling for Change
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Engel, Max; Gernstein, Anna; Goldstein, Jeremy; Tarjamo, Markus; Clark, Patrina
    This research presents a comprehensive proposal for an introduction of a Cycling 101 class at the University of Maryland (UMD), developed in collaboration with the Prince George's County Planning Department. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between the UMD cycling community and policy awareness, addressing issues such as sustainability, mental health, and physical wellbeing. Through collaboration with experts like Michael Jackson and Professor Kimberly Driver, it evolved into a passion project, empowering students through cycling education. The proposed course, designed as an "I-series" course, covers a range of topics including cycling mechanics, safety, environmental sustainability, and mental and physical health benefits. The research outlines the process of creating the course, emphasizing the importance of a well-structured syllabus and efficient review by university committees. Potential locations for the course within UMD's academic structure, particularly in the School of Public Health and School of Public Policy, are explored. Extensive literature supports the positive impact of cycling on physical and mental health, reinforcing the course's potential benefits. The research findings suggest that Cycling 101 aligns with UMD's commitment to sustainability and offers tangible advantages for students' wellbeing. The proposed collaboration is significant for both UMD and the Prince George's County Planning Department, contributing to a cycling-friendly environment and promoting holistic urban mobility. In conclusion, this research validates the feasibility of introducing Cycling 101 at UMD, highlighting its positive impacts on students, the university community, and urban planning in Prince George's County. The collaboration serves as a catalyst for sustainable practices and holistic wellbeing, aligning shared goals between the university and the Planning Department.
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    Maryland’s Missing Middle Housing
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-05) Eldadah, Samaa; Carter, Niambi; Dawkins, Casey
    As Maryland localities struggle to meet the demand for a diversity of housing types at a range of income levels, the predominance of detached single-family zoning constrains available land for building new housing and limits the expansion of the housing supply. In this context, local governments have considered zoning change in detached single-family neighborhoods to better accommodate missing middle housing. As of May 2024, however, there have been no significant zoning changes to accommodate missing middle housing in single-family neighborhoods. However, counties are planning for future upzoning initiatives to increase density in residential neighborhoods through comprehensive plans. This report compiles lessons learned from four counties—Montgomery, Frederick, Anne Arundel, and Howard—about successes and challenges in preparing for upzoning to accommodate missing middle housing. These counties employ a range of strategies to address the market and political challenges to upzoning. Lessons learned from counties include using small area planning and zoning overlays, building political will through extensive stakeholder engagement, and offering incentives to developers to build missing middle housing.
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    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, Nima
    A 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.
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    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, Nima
    A 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.
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    Parking Lot Redesign
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-05) Boutselis, Kat; Flores-Chevere, Alejandro; Johnson, Nuelle; Wimbush May, Jillian; May, Peter
    The gatekeeper for this proposal to redesign the parking lot at M-NCPPC’s Largo Headquarters, is the Prince George’s County Planning Board, which will approve the new parking lot design. The proposal is specifically addressed to Lakisha Hull, Director of the Prince George’s County Planning Department. With the board members, Ms. Hull will review the suggested layout and direct the planning and design team who will sketch out and implement the rain garden. The primary contact for this proposal is Theodore Levy of the County Planning Department, overseeing the planning and architectural team. Another audience for this proposal is horticulturalists, plant ecologists, landscapers, garden designers, and construction contractors. The horticulturalists bring knowledge of plant materials native to Largo that would thrive in the rain garden. Landscapers can suggest best designs for feasibility and maintenance. The contractors will be responsible for the building the new layout. All these individuals will advise the design team and provide insight on the best way to implement the new layout. A final audience are the employees who work at the Largo Headquarters and community members who live in the area. The parking lot is mainly used by employees who can give insight into the most useful features of the parking lot that should be kept. As well, community members can provide insight into what they would like to see in their community and what they would use.
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    Preserving and Developing Affordable Housing in Riverdale, MD
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-05) Bardsley, Jesse; Dwyer, Maura; Edullantes, Hoang; Gordon, Samuel; Haddad, Sarah; Jones, Amory; Keen, Paul; Mule, Maya; Prendergast, Caila; Rahming, Nichelle; Velasquez, Deisy; Howell, Kathryn; Finio, Nicholas
    As the Purple Line construction nears completion, the light rail’s opening will bring significant development pressure to every community along the corridor. This report focuses on one of these communities: Riverdale. The Purple Line Corridor Coalition is the primary sponsor of this report and contributed guidance throughout its creation. This work was also guided heavily by a PLCC partner organization, Greater Riverdale Thrives, a community coalition in Riverdale concerned with issues including affordable housing and political advocacy efforts. Riverdale is a majority low-income, renter, immigrant, Latino, and Black Prince George’s County bedroom community. This report focuses on the hyper-local context of Riverdale while investigating macroeconomic issues of wealth inequality, discerning the impacts of ownership and power distribution on the region’s housing market. Riverdale’s built environment has not seen much change since its initial development as a beltway suburb of Washington, D.C. in the 1950s and 1960s. After several generations, this community has morphed dramatically, and the needs of its residents have grown proportionately. The apartment complexes, built more than 50 years ago, are showing their age, and many have been bought by corporate landlords who have a minimal desire to maintain the properties. The shopping plaza—once deemed a cultural destination for the area—has fallen into disrepair at the hands of neglectful property ownership and disinvestment in the community at large. As the Purple Line development puts substantial pressure on the existing housing stock in the area, it will also incentivize the building of new housing near the station. Issues of affordable housing preservation and development, gentrification, and displacement are key areas for intervention and advocacy efforts. This report examines how housing can both be preserved and produced in a way that can benefit the community of Riverdale, by leveraging existing policy frameworks such as rent stabilization, while also looking at new opportunities such as a community land trust. The report includes a network map, which can be used to ensure that Riverdale maintains its cultural significance for its community members. The report also provides examples of how transit- oriented development can happen with minimal displacement based on experiences of other communities in the Washington, D.C. area, and other localities around the US that have undergone similar changes. Discussions of power dynamics in community advocacy are centered to highlight ways to empower the Riverdale community. Finally, this report offers tools that can be used by the community to expand ownership in the face of impending development. The Purple Line will radically change Riverdale and the surrounding community in the next few years. Ensuring that the community has a voice in the future development of Riverdale is of the highest importance to maintaining its cultural significance for years to come.
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    Preserving and Developing Affordable Housing in Riverdale, MD
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-05) Bardsley, Jesse; Dwyer, Maura; Edullantes, Hoang; Gordon, Samuel; Haddad, Sarah; Jones, Amory; Keen, Paul; Mule, Maya; Prendergast, Caila; Rahming, Nichelle; Velasquez, Deisy; Howell, Kathryn; Finio, Nicholas
    As the Purple Line construction nears completion, the light rail’s opening will bring significant development pressure to every community along the corridor. This report focuses on one of these communities: Riverdale. The Purple Line Corridor Coalition is the primary sponsor of this report and contributed guidance throughout its creation. This work was also guided heavily by a PLCC partner organization, Greater Riverdale Thrives, a community coalition in Riverdale concerned with issues including affordable housing and political advocacy efforts. Riverdale is a majority low-income, renter, immigrant, Latino, and Black Prince George’s County bedroom community. This report focuses on the hyper-local context of Riverdale while investigating macroeconomic issues of wealth inequality, discerning the impacts of ownership and power distribution on the region’s housing market. Riverdale’s built environment has not seen much change since its initial development as a beltway suburb of Washington, D.C. in the 1950s and 1960s. After several generations, this community has morphed dramatically, and the needs of its residents have grown proportionately. The apartment complexes, built more than 50 years ago, are showing their age, and many have been bought by corporate landlords who have a minimal desire to maintain the properties. The shopping plaza—once deemed a cultural destination for the area—has fallen into disrepair at the hands of neglectful property ownership and disinvestment in the community at large. As the Purple Line development puts substantial pressure on the existing housing stock in the area, it will also incentivize the building of new housing near the station. Issues of affordable housing preservation and development, gentrification, and displacement are key areas for intervention and advocacy efforts. This report examines how housing can both be preserved and produced in a way that can benefit the community of Riverdale, by leveraging existing policy frameworks such as rent stabilization, while also looking at new opportunities such as a community land trust. The report includes a network map, which can be used to ensure that Riverdale maintains its cultural significance for its community members. The report also provides examples of how transit- oriented development can happen with minimal displacement based on experiences of other communities in the Washington, D.C. area, and other localities around the US that have undergone similar changes. Discussions of power dynamics in community advocacy are centered to highlight ways to empower the Riverdale community. Finally, this report offers tools that can be used by the community to expand ownership in the face of impending development. The Purple Line will radically change Riverdale and the surrounding community in the next few years. Ensuring that the community has a voice in the future development of Riverdale is of the highest importance to maintaining its cultural significance for years to come.
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    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.
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    Flood Mitigation in the Chesapeake Beach SeaGate Community
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-05) Blair, Bradford; Pressley, Danielle; Quigley, Alex; Speierman, Emily; Tagle, Matthew; May, Peter
    The town of Chesapeake Beach is on the Chesapeake Bay’s western shore and is directly connected to the Bay by creeks that feed tidal marshes. Marshland within Chesapeake Beach’s South Creek Estuary was filled in to enable community development, including the SeaGate townhouse community and Maryland Route 261. At less than four feet above mean sea level, Route 261 and the SeaGate’s parking lots flood during high tide events, storm swells, and intense storm events. In addition to being inconvenient for community members, it is also a safety concern as Route 261 provides access to the SeaGate community, the local fire department, and wastewater treatment plant.The historical practice of filling in wetlands for development and the increasing pressures of climate change have resulted in worsening flooding in the SeaGate community. Chesapeake Beach’s 2021 Comprehensive Plan discusses the area’s future of coastal resiliency and mentions the need to create a coordinated and consistent plan for addressing sea level rise. There have been previous attempts by the community to control flooding resulting from rising tides and stormwater. The Army Corps of Engineers installed revetments and a gate to control tidal fluctuations, and the Maryland State Highway Administration raised Route 261 to prevent the road from flooding. However, the floodgate is no longer operational and mounting pressures from sea level rise combined with more intense storms have flooded the road with increasing frequency. This report’s proposed solutions address both tidal and stormwater flooding. Because the primary source of flooding is from the Chesapeake Bay, the floodgate must be replaced. The new floodgate will be automated to be in sync with tidal cycles and local weather conditions. The gate will automatically close at high tide and open at low tide to allow for the migration of wildlife between the tidal marshes and the Chesapeake Bay. There will also be an option to manually open and close the gate at the SeaGate community’s discretion. As well, three different technologies will address stormwater flooding—cisterns, permeable pavers, and bioretention cells. Cisterns will be fitted to the townhouse units to store runoff from rooftops. They will be sized to capture a five-year, 24-hour storm (4.18 inches), but can be adjusted to capture the runoff from various storms. The captured water will be automatically released during dry periods and at low tides, as controlled by a smart system, however there will also be a manual option to give community members more control. Permeable pavers will reduce the volume of runoff and allow more water to infiltrate into the soil. They will be placed in low-traffic areas, such as parking lots and sidewalks, to reduce the wear on the pavers and extend their lifetime. Bioretention cells will be implemented alongside roads and parking lots to help manage runoff volume and quality. There are a few existing bioretention cells in the SeaGate community, but they aren’t maintained and don’t appear to function well. The proposed design improves the existing systems and adds new bioretention cells. To increase the feasibility of the proposed solutions and minimize the burden on the community, the report recommends applying to grant programs intended to help fund climate resiliency and sustainability projects in Maryland. Some of these include the Chesapeake and Coastal Grants Gateway, the Maryland G3 Grant Program, and the Watershed Assistance Grant Program. These grants will help fund the proposed solutions and create a safer, more climate resilient Seagate community.