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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    Providing Representation: An Ethnographic Study for The M-NCPPC, Department of Planning
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-12) Coote, Aaron; Forest, Harrison; Ng, Theo; Sanders, Martin
    This paper examines changes in Korean population trends in Beltsville, Maryland, and Prince George’s County, Maryland (P.G. County). Our report contributes to the existing body of research on Koreans in the United States (U.S.) by providing suggestions for how to fill the literature gap on Beltsville Koreans. In the 20th century, the U.S. Census and other government surveys did not correctly count Korean immigrants. Moreover, there is a shortage of information on the Korean immigrant community in the Beltsville/Route 1 corridor, whom settled in the late 1900s, started businesses, and vacated by the 1990s. We provide a methodology to inform a context study on all aspects of life for the Korean population, including push-pull factors, everyday life, geographic data, cultural influence, and significant places such as churches and restaurants.
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    Alternative Commute Options at Prince George’s County Planning Department
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2024-12) Albert, Jonah; Kaplan, Alex; Petter-Lipstein, Liora; Sanders, Martin
    Most Prince George’s County Planning Department (PGCPD) employees drive to work in single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs). The department recently moved closer to the Downtown Largo Metro Station and its surrounding transit network, with the intent of encouraging employees to use alternative commute modes. One of the move’s intended goals was to reduce the number of employees commuting by SOV. Unfortunately, the Metrorail station is 1.4 miles from the headquarters building, making it a lengthy and difficult walk, and the surrounding transit network remains inconvenient for commuters. Further, the area lacks multimodal transportation options to bridge this gap, a common issue with public transportation often known as the first mile/last mile problem. Moreover, employees are commuting throughout the Washington, DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area, so a single solution is unlikely to have a meaningful impact on commute mode choices.
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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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    Artist Crossing
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Ajaero, Ucheya; Bullock, Abigail; Perkins, Abigail; Rahming-Williams, Nichelle; Riffle, Brianna; Boland, Margret; Gomez, Jose; Gross, Hannah; Mora, Adrian; Watson, Omari; Deist, Chase; Demircan, Zeynep; Garcia, Aylin; Jones, Amory; Mulé, Maya; Hernandez, Kevin; Hussien, Abdureuf; Merino, Sandra; Pipatpongsa, Chayaporn?; Bell, Matthew; Matthews, Georgeanne?
    The ARCH 700 Urban Design Graduate looked at the Four Corners site and the Arts District area in Hyattsville with the intent to understand what problems each of these communities had and how to apply best practices in urban design to each. At Four Corners, the focus was on creating a sense of place and community along University Boulevard where little of that kind of experience existed previously, and at Hyattsville, how to reimagine the urban design of the Arts District and the vacant County Service building so that a more vibrant town center could emerge. Students explored issues such as multi-modal circulation, the city grid, densification through the addition of various building typologies, community place-making, and ‘complete street’ design. All of the proposals sought to integrate new residential and other developments and create a framework for parks and urban spaces that embrace diversity and maintain historic cultural assets.
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    Four Corners (re-sestablisher)
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Ajaero, Ucheya; Bullock, Abigail; Perkins, Abigail; Rahming-Williams, Nichelle; Riffle, Brianna; Boland, Margret; Gomez, Jose; Gross, Hannah; Mora, Adrian; Watson, Omari; Deist, Chase; Demircan, Zeynep; Garcia, Aylin; Jones, Amory; Mulé, Maya; Hernandez, Kevin; Hussien, Abdureuf; Merino, Sandra; Pipatpongsa, Chayaporn?; Bell, Matthew; Matthews, Georgeanne?
    The ARCH 700 Urban Design Graduate looked at the Four Corners site and the Arts District area in Hyattsville with the intent to understand what problems each of these communities had and how to apply best practices in urban design to each. At Four Corners, the focus was on creating a sense of place and community along University Boulevard where little of that kind of experience existed previously, and at Hyattsville, how to reimagine the urban design of the Arts District and the vacant County Service building so that a more vibrant town center could emerge. Students explored issues such as multi-modal circulation, the city grid, densification through the addition of various building typologies, community place-making, and ‘complete street’ design. All of the proposals sought to integrate new residential and other developments and create a framework for parks and urban spaces that embrace diversity and maintain historic cultural assets.
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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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    Urban Design Proposals for Four Corners and Hyattsville Arts District?
    (Partnership for Action Learning Sustainability (PALS), 2023-12) Ajaero, Ucheya; Bullock, Abigail; Perkins, Abigail; Rahming-Williams, Nichelle; Riffle, Brianna; Boland, Margret; Gomez, Jose; Gross, Hannah; Mora, Adrian; Watson, Omari; Deist, Chase; Demircan, Zeynep; Garcia, Aylin; Jones, Amory; Mulé, Maya; Hernandez, Kevin; Hussien, Abdureuf; Merino, Sandra; Pipatpongsa, Chayaporn?; Bell, Matthew; Matthews, Georgeanne?
    The ARCH 700 Urban Design Graduate looked at the Four Corners site and the Arts District area in Hyattsville with the intent to understand what problems each of these communities had and how to apply best practices in urban design to each. At Four Corners, the focus was on creating a sense of place and community along University Boulevard where little of that kind of experience existed previously, and at Hyattsville, how to reimagine the urban design of the Arts District and the vacant County Service building so that a more vibrant town center could emerge. Students explored issues such as multi-modal circulation, the city grid, densification through the addition of various building typologies, community place-making, and ‘complete street’ design. All of the proposals sought to integrate new residential and other developments and create a framework for parks and urban spaces that embrace diversity and maintain historic cultural assets.
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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.