10. 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)

« Oakland, CA | Baltimore, MD | Denver, CO »

City Study 2008: Baltimore Articles

Baltimore Speaks: Q&A with City Officials

In July of 2008, SustainLane spoke with several officials and employees of the city of Baltimore, including: Tod Stosur, Assistant Deputy Mayor; Karen Miller, Communications Officer for Mayor Sheila Dixon; Beth Strommen, Manager of the Office of Sustainability; Tedd Atwood of the Energy Department; Duncan Steward, Environmental Planner in the Office of Sustainability; and Sara 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

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'

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 »