2023
Chesapeake Bay Science and Technical Committee Workshop U.S. Biochar Initiative
Biochar is a carbon-rich (charcoal-like) material formed by “cooking” (thermochemical conversion) waste organic matter, (harvested/waste wood, green waste, manures, etc.) in an oxygen-free environment. It is an ancient technology termed Terra Preta (“Dark Earth”) in ancient Amazon Basin cultures and was principally used to enrich farmlands prior to the advent of modern fertilizers. In the last several decades, biochar has seen a resurgence worldwide due to its ability to address a multitude of environmental objectives.
2022
Characterizing the Economic Impact Associated with Dairy Farm Best Management Practices
Since 2018, the Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership has made waves in the agricultural industry; incentivizing farmers to get involved in conservation and elevating Turkey Hill’s supply chain. This groundbreaking partnership has a monumental impact on the Lancaster community, the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and beyond.
Hidden Histories—Revealed!
How did a seashell bankroll an ancient civilization? Why does Spain’s most famous Catholic cathedral contain an Islamic mihrab? Did renderings of a 16th century Italian palace overlook an intentional optical illusion? Answers to some of history’s perplexing questions will be the subject of a TED-talk style event November 14 at the University of Maryland, highlighting breakthrough research from UMD faculty and students on the mysteries of the ancient world.
Craig Spangler Receives UMD President’s Award
MAPP alums are no strangers to receiving top awards worldwide, but being recognized at their alma mater makes being an award recipient extra special. Just ask Craig Spangler, AIA (B.ARCH ‘82), who received the President's Award at the Alumni Association’s 2023 A Celebration of Terps: Featuring the Maryland Awards on Nov. 10.
Inaugural Student Journal Examines the Shifting “Nature” of Planners
The park bench Shahrzad Ateffi 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.”
Columbia University Takes First Place At Eighth Annual Colvin Case Study Challenge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Carrie Chard, Colvin Institute / cchard@umd.eduWednesday, December 13, 2023College Park, Md.— A mixed-use residential and commercial building located in Downtown Brooklyn won first place at the eighth annual Colvin Case Study Challenge on Saturday, Dec. 9. A team from Columbia University beat semi-finalists from the University of Houston, Clemson University and the University at Buffalo with their case study of One Boerum Place in a juried, live competition at the University of Maryland (UMD).
Healthy Places Seed Grant Hosts Mid-Year Roundtable
The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (MAPP), the School of Public Health (SPH), UMD faculty, staff and students attended the mid-year meeting for the Healthy Places Seed Grant program on Thursday, Nov. 30. The in-person, two-hour meeting, hosted by Dawn Jourdan, dean of MAPP and Boris D. Lushniak, dean of SPH, took place in The Great Space of the Architecture Building.
Philanthropy Provides New Opportunities for Real Estate Students
It has been a landmark year for the Real Estate Development Program at the University of Maryland. In Fall 2022, we launched our undergraduate major in Real Estate and the Built Environment, celebrated the major’s first graduate in May 2023, and welcomed two new faculty members, Jesse Saginor, Ph.D. and John Park, Ph.D. in Fall 2023. Today, our master’s and undergraduate programs continue to attract bright, dynamic students who are passionate about the real estate development professions and seek to make a difference in the built environment.
PALS Projects Focus On Community Impact For the Fall 2023 Semester
This fall, the Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability program (PALS) has continued its efforts to solve Maryland’s toughest issues with the help of the university’s brightest students and faculty. Administered by MAPP’s National Center for Smart Growth (NCSG), PALS works to connect students in a variety of disciplines with real-world experiential learning while providing assistance to local Maryland jurisdictions for addressing sustainability issues.
Tribal Loyalties
Written by Sala Levin ’10 for TERP Magazine.American Indians have long been denied fair access to homes, health care, schooling and jobs. For Joseph Kunkel M.Arch. ’09, the mission to change that is personal. Read more in TERP Magazine.