Resources and Tools
On February 8 in Crownsville, student teams representing Maryland Institutions of Higher Learning presented their work to the Sustainable Growth Commission’s (Commission) Education Workgroup as part of the Sustainable Growth Challenge (Challenge). The panel of reviewers, which included representatives from state government, private industry, and Maryland communities, engaged with students and their proposals asking follow-up questions about projects ranging from neighborhood development planning to innovative architectural design. Students, along with supportive faculty, submitted work completed in 2017 for consideration. The proposals demonstrate how lucky Maryland is to have young academics who combine passions for learning and their communities.
Through the Challenge, the Commission engages Maryland college students in developing creative solutions to sustainable growth while also providing them with a career-building, real-world learning experience. It is an interdisciplinary exercise promoting economic development, environmental stewardship, and sustainable land use at the community level. The Education Workgroup began reaching out to colleges in the summer of 2017 to inform them of the project and encourage participation.
The review team considered submissions on how effectively they advanced Maryland’s 12 Planning Visions in a sustainable, coordinated, innovative, and implementable manner. Planning congratulates
University of Maryland Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture
This project applied a thorough analysis of the topography and assets of a charter school in Baltimore’s Pigtown neighborhood to the creation of an interactive learning environment. Through collaboration with authorities and students at the charter school, the project team developed a stunning and integrated site plan which will help the school apply for grants. The detailed approach is quite impressive, and the results will encourage students to interact with their school environment and advance healthy, active lifestyles.
Harford Community College
Using a tightly structured process, this proposal for Harford County’s Edgewood Recreation Center formulated a development plan for an outdoor gym, including workout equipment. The facility would be free to all park users; enhancing access to healthy activity. The review team commends the group for the significant amount of outreach it conducted in the completion of this project, and for creating a final plan that is readily implementable.
The Commission would also like to recognize other great submissions for their contribution to sustainable development in Maryland, including:
Excellence in Community Planning – Waverly Community Plan, Morgan State University Department of City and Regional Planning, Housing and Land Development
Established a multifaceted roadmap for developing the assets of Baltimore’s Waverly Community, simultaneously building upon its strengths and tackling its toughest challenges
Excellence in Innovation – Living Laboratory for a “Global Maryland”, Morgan State University School of Architecture and Planning
Cutting edge design and forward-thinking sustainability characterized this architectural proposal for built environments welcoming and integrating newcomers in both the cities of Baltimore and Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Excellence in Sustainability – Greywater Implementation in Montgomery County, The University of Maryland’s Partnership for Action Learning and Sustainability (PALS) Program
Complex and convincing analysis of the potential for greywater systems in two Montgomery County Parks Department facilities, Damascus and Cabin John. The energy, environmental, and economic benefits of the systems encourage further exploration for both Montgomery County and the state
Project winners will present their work at the March 26 Commission meeting in Crownsville. Students and faculty representing other recognized work are also invited to attend and set up stations where they can display their work and interact with Commission members. The Commission will invite deans and presidents from participating institutions to attend. Finally, the winners will join recipients of the Sustainable Growth Awards at their ceremony in the spring of 2018.
The Education Workgroup looks forward to next year’s Challenge and the excellent work of Maryland’s students. To learn more about the Sustainable Growth Challenge, please contact Joe Griffiths at joseph.griffiths@maryland .org or 410-767-4552.
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