Rebuilding Baltimore, from Urban Renewal to Project C.O.R.E.: Neighborhood Revitalization, Historic Preservation, and the Lessons of the Past

This paper explores the evolution of neighborhood revitalization and historic preservation in the City of Baltimore, and assesses the extent to which these practices reflect lessons learned from failed policies of the past. A long history of urban interventions in Baltimore has repeatedly disrupted the city landscape and calcified spatial inequality. Planners today acknowledge this history and have purportedly adapted the planning process to avoid repeating these mistakes. This study examined three modern neighborhood revitalization programs: the Sandtown-Winchester Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (c.1990), Oliver neighborhood revitalization (c.2004), and Project C.O.R.E. (2016), and determined that these changes have not been fully embraced in practice. Given the continued need to adapt planning practices to promote equity in neighborhoods harmed by previous interventions, this study concludes with recommendations for ways that preservationists can be better advocates for historic neighborhoods and their residents in the neighborhood revitalization process

Healthy Annapolis

Final project for Urban Studies and Planning Studio (Summer 2017). University of Maryland, College Park.Annapolis, Maryland, located in Anne Arundel County, is home to the United States Naval Academy and Saint John’s College. The small waterfront capital city is also a popular tourist destination for sailors and history buffs drawn to the nationally recognized historic district. While continuing to focus on preserving the City’s historic and natural resources and strong local economy, Annapolis is taking steps to become a healthier city by participating in the Let’s Move! Cities Towns, and Counties (LMCTC) initiative, a national campaign to end childhood obesity by providing guidance to elected officials, parents, schools, community leaders, and other stakeholders in order to make healthy living accessible for everyone. Annapolis has successfully met the five initial program goals for LMCTC, and has achieved All-Star status. This report will help the City pursue three of the four All-Star strategies it is now eligible to pursue after achieving All-Star status. This report highlights disadvantaged communities, as they are more likely to suffer from poor health. In addition to an increased likelihood of health issues, these communities are also less likely to have resources such as education and community support to improve certain aspects of their health. This University of Maryland PALS summer studio project is meant to help guide the City of Annapolis in creating a healthier city for all residents, and in reaching their LMCTC All-Star strategies. Four chapters were written by groups that focused on health-related aspects of the city that relate directly to areas of focus for achieving All-Star status: 1) updates to incorporate health into the Comprehensive Plan, 2) parks and open space, 3) bicycle infrastructure, and 4) urban agriculture and community gardens. We hope that by providing recommendations for integrating health into the planning process and city design, and by suggesting strategies to make the most effective use of existing tools, Annapolis will be better situated to achieve its LMCTC All-Star strategies.The City of Annapoli