The park bench Shahrzad Ateffia encountered biking through the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C. spoke to her, but it wasn’t an invitation to rest. Lonely and sun-beaten without a shade tree in sight, the wooden plank was more performative than practical, and sent a clear message to the University of Maryland graduate student: “You’re not really meant to stay here.”
It’s one of many subtle ways cities communicate through access, amenities and urban design, captured in a photo essay by the urban studies and planning student for the inaugural issue of TerraPlan, a new publication created and edited by UMD’s Student Planning Association (SPA). A collection of essays, projects, and features written by graduate and undergraduate students across degree programs in the Washington, D.C. region, TerraPlan showcases the work and perspectives of emerging professionals as they confront the challenges facing communities in a rapidly changing world.
Terraplan was the idea of URSP graduate student Alexander McRoberts, first sparked when he was applying to graduate school and seeking more understanding about what he’d experience and study. After starting in Maryland last fall, he joined SPA and took the idea to classmate Emmanuel Opoku-Boateng. The two served as editors of the inaugural issue, putting out a call to students from around the region.
“We saw a need for it, not just to share the type of work we’re doing in the program, but to give the young planners of today a voice to share what’s important to them,” said McRoberts.
Through the issue’s theme, “Our Nature,” the writers explore the role and opportunities for planners in changing—and challenging—environments, marred by climate change, social inequity and environmental degradation. Features explore the impacts of transit oriented development and climate migration, propose social infrastructure to connect underserved communities and pitch the use of food gardens as a gateway into the planning profession.
While each piece touches on important topics, the publication more importantly demonstrates the kind of innovative, big ideas that come from students despite the constraints of policy or politics, said Associate Professor Ariel Bierbaum, who serves as the SPA faculty advisor.
“Planning is about understanding what the world is and reimagining a future that’s the same, or better or just different,” she said. “Our students had the initiative and inspiration to say, “‘we want in on the conversation.’”