What Happened?
Phoenix is working to reverse the effects of urban sprawl while cities in Maryland move forward with highly-anticipated transit developments. Both regions are focused on providing residents with access to public transit options that connect to amenities, neighborhoods and economic centers.
The Goal
Phoenix was developing disparate communities in the desert until the housing market crash, which left new towns abandoned. Now, its developments are focused on creating urbanized communities with high concentrations of walker-friendly access to resources, transit and entertainment. The new cityscapes will include:
- Narrower roads
- Bike lanes
- Sidewalk cafes
- Additional green spaces
- New walkable zoning code
- Trees and plans along the streets
- Light rail system
The projects are expected to be completed over several decades and incrementally reverse the effects of urban sprawl. The city wants to get residents out-and-about in the community on foot and by train, removing cars from the road and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The additional building developments and trees will provide much needed shade in the desert city, which will help boost its walkable score.
Maryland Transit Projects
Similar to Phoenix’s plans, cities in Maryland are rejuvenating stalled projects to build near rail stations to better connect a walker-friendly population with amenities and neighborhoods. The transit-oriented development projects are a statewide effort in Maryland to increase public transit ridership while reducing urban sprawl, traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
At the end of 2013, 10 projects were in progress across the state to further enhance developments of Maryland Department of Transportation stations or property. Another six projects are also in the works involving the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Officials involved in the projects agree that Maryland cities are ripe with demand for more transit-oriented investment and construction, which is a good sign for the potential success of the plans in the future. Many of the projects were launched before the financial crisis and had to be put on hold until funding was available. Projects that have picked back up recently include:
- A new 700-car parking garage and commuter station in Savage within an 18.5-acre development near a MARC rail station
- A State Center near a Metropolitan Area Transit Authority light rail stop
- New headquarters for the Department of Housing and Community Development near the Carrollton Metro stop
- Private building developments near the Owings Mills Metro stop
Also near a transit stop in Savage, significant construction is taking place to build:
- More than 400 homes
- 100,000 square feet of office space
- 17,500 square feet of retail space
- 152-room hotel
In the last year, Maryland cities have reported increased demand for residential units in urbanized, transit-anchored locations. This demand has incited many cities to dive back into their stalled projects to build out transit hubs and add more density for a walker-friendly community.
Many cities in Maryland are identifying their transit stops as foundations for new community developments. Some of the projects started on a small scale in a disjointed fashion. As officials continued to build out the developments, however, the projects started to come together to create valuable, highly-sought after space.
Defying Sprawl
Gov1 has kept an eye on a growing number of cities working to reverse urban sprawl and attract a new demographic of residents that prefer walker-friendly amenities.
Promo: Phoenix and cities across Maryland are building out their public transit stations to reverse the effects of urban sprawl and attract a less car-centric demographic.