10. Baltimore, MD

A Port Town Reinventing Itself

Baltimore, MD: A Port Town Reinventing Itself

Baltimore's had a number of firsts since our last survey. For starters, the city's first female mayor, Sheila Dixon, was sworn into office. Not long after, came new green building requirements, single-stream recycling, and—to our excitement at SustainLane—a dedicated commission charged with creating and implementing a sustainability plan for the city. Included in that package will be a new zoning code (the last one was updated in 1971) that incorporates dense, transit-oriented development. The city has also put in over 50 miles of bikeways and hopes to install more light rail. As Baltimoreans explore alternative transportation and energy options, they may find their air quality goes up too.

(Photo by Jawed Karim)

"Baltimore is committed to promoting responsible and sustainable growth," said Mayor Sheila Dixon. "It is an honor to be recognized for efforts that will make Baltimore a cleaner and greener city for our children."

Baltimore's Rankings

Baltimore sustainlability rankings chart Cities are ranked relative to each other. A longer bar denotes a higher ranking.
Baltimore, MD: City Chart

City Study 2008: Baltimore Articles

Baltimore Speaks: Q&A with City Officials

Baltimore Speaks: Q&A with City Officials

In July of 2008, SustainLane spoke with several officials and employees of the city of Baltimore, including: Tom Stosur, Assistant Deputy Mayor; Karen Miller, Communications Officer for Mayor Sheila Dixon; Beth Strommen, Manager of the Office of Sustainability; Ted Atwood of the Energy Department; Duncan Stewart, Environmental Planner in the Office of Sustainability; and Sarah Zaleski, Sustainability Coordinator. Baltimore officials told us that the city has the opportunity to lead other municipalities like it—former industrial cities that are poor and middle-sized. Located on Chesapeake Bay, the city is currently revising its flood plain mapping in preparation for the potential impact of a rise in sea level.more »

A Teaching Moment at Baltimore's Herring Run Park

A Teaching Moment at Baltimore's Herring Run Park

Submitted by Betty Mayes

City has always been my life. I was born and raised in this city we call Baltimore.
A beautiful park known as Herring Run, with its rippling stream, was part of my life from early childhood. My own children, now grown and living in their own homes in this same city, also have the same affinity for this park.more »

Historic Baltimore Neighborhood Becomes 'Clean and Green'

Historic Baltimore Neighborhood Becomes 'Clean and Green'

Submitted by Lisa Cox

During my life, the beauty of Baltimore’s Sharp-Leadenhall neighborhood has always struck me. Sharp-Leadenhall is a historical African-American neighborhood, whose people are full of pride for the community. The neighborhood consists of numerous streets – Hanover Street, Hamburg Street and the one that I'm most familiar: Bevan Street. Bevan Street residents were always unique because of their interest in creating a clean environment for their neighbors and children. They always found ways of beautifying the block whether it was painting the curbs or making flowers pots out of tires.more »

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Latest Comments
Sarah K. says

Attention Baltimore gardeners and greeners! Have a garden? Like gardens? Wish there was an easy way to get materials so that you could start a garden? Established in response... more »

Kelley R. says

Baltimoreans are taking the sustainability movement a step further with Baltimore Bioneers'08: Cultivating Change. Inspiring Solutions, a conference featuring some of the most... more »

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Baltimore Talk

Courtney S.

Mount Washington Eco Fair

Join us for the first annual Mount Washington Eco Fair! The event will feature local artists, craftsmen, energy service providers, solar and geothermal energy experts, acupuncturists, local, organic food, urban garden specialists AND MORE! Free prizes and giveaways! more »

Solar Technician - groSolar

groSolar is looking for mechanically minded individual to work in the field installing both residential and small commercial grid-tied PV systems. more »

Frank M.

Discussion: Take the Plunge!

This is the best program ever! BNEC will give you a FREE pledge kit full of energy saving products just for signing up! They connect you with resources and information about saving... more »

Cities Compared
Cities Compared: Cities by Age

Cities Compared: Cities by Age

How does age of a city affect how it performs? Take a look at how pre- and post-war cities measure up to each other.

These forty million [poor] people are invisible because America is so affluent, so rich; because our expressways carry us away from the ghetto, we don't see the poor. —Martin Luther King, Jr.

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