Maryland Department of Planning

06/15/2026

NEW WEBINAR! Join us Tuesday, June 30th 12:30 - 2:00 pm for “Setting the Stage for TOD.”

This webinar will examine strategies for encouraging and optimizing Transit Oriented Development (TOD) opportunities through data, policy, and smart design. Register Today! https://ow.ly/V1WE50Z7MNL

In exploring the methods and tactics used by planners, developers, and architects to prepare sites for TOD, presenters will compare existing station area sites that may support development, identify the institutional elements that will support added density and livability, and highlight the physical components of a walkable, transit centered community.

Presenters include: Cecily Bedwell, AICP, LEED AP BD+C, Principal, Urban Design Studio, Design Collective; Darron Cooper, Project Manager, Office of Real Estate and Economic Development (ORED) at the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Secretary Office (MDOT-TSO); Meagan Fairfield-Peak, Lead GIS Analyst, Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), Geospatial Data & Modeling Unit; Brooks Phelps, Transportation Planning Specialist and Regional Planner for the Baltimore Metropolitan Region, MDP.

Participants of this live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits

06/15/2026

Such a fantastic resource to have available to the public and greatly needed! 👏🙌🌈

Happy ! New resources have been added to the MHT library research guide on + history in Maryland! Check it out on our website: https://mht.maryland.gov/research/mht-library.

The library is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays by appointment only. For further information or to schedule an appointment, contact Lara Westwood by email at [email protected] or by phone at (410) 697-9546.

06/12/2026

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) proudly celebrates and supports the wonderful diversity found across Maryland in all its forms -- people, places, communities -- believing it strengthens us all, making our lives richer, our experiences fuller, and our world more resilient. HAPPY MARYLAND PRIDE MONTH 2026!

Find events all across the state: https://www.visitmaryland.org/list/maryland-pride-events
Communities

06/12/2026

ICYMI!

This week saw the observance of 2026 on Monday June 8, and it is more than just luck that it coincides with ! Join us at the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) in celebrating this most incredible and unique ecosystem.

DYK? More than half (53%) of the Bay's main surface area lies within Maryland, covering roughly 1,726 square miles. As the largest estuary in the United Stated – and one of the largest in the world – the Chesapeake Bay watershed:

- is home to 9.6 million acres of land with 50,000 miles of rivers streams and creeks, including 284,00 acres of tidal wetlands
- supports 3,600 animal and plant species (including our famous Maryland blue crabs!)
- hosts 18.5 million people living in six states and the District of Columbia.

It comes as little surprise then, that the health of the Chesapeake and other coastal watersheds are inextricably linked to the health of our oceans and life on the planet!

To learn more and to discover events celebrating the cultures, history and natural beauty of our beloved bay, check out the Chesapeake Bay Program’s website: https://www.chesapeakebay.net/action/chesapeake-bay-awareness-week

And, to learn more about our oceans and what we can do to protect them, visit: https://unworldoceansday.org/.

Growth

06/10/2026

HAPPENING THIS SUNDAY! The 2026 Patuxent River Wade-In honoring former Senator Bernie Fowler will be held June 14th at the Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum! Remarks and Wade-In begin at 1:00 p.m. Exhibits will be on display starting at noon.

Based on his experiences as a child on the Patuxent when he could see his sneakers on the bottom as far out as he could wade, Senator Fowler held the first Patuxent "Wade-In" in 1988 to assess whether he could still see his sneakers while wading into the river. At that time, his white sneakers disappeared from view in a disappointing 10 inches of water.

This became known as the “Sneaker Index,” and a compelling way to both assess and promote the health of the river.

At age 97, he led the 34th Wade-In late June, 2021, at JPPM. Although Senator Fowler has since passed, his tradition lives on with the annual Patuxent River Wade-In.

See you there! More info: https://mht.maryland.gov/education-outreach/upcoming-events/patuxent-river-wade

06/10/2026

Reminder: Virtual Public Forum this Friday!

You are invited to join the member agencies of the Maryland Sustainable Growth Subcabinet for a virtual public forum to discuss the future of our state's development, environment, and communities on Friday, June 12 from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Subcabinet members will share important mid-year updates on legislation and state programs, and we want to hear your perspective! Register and submit comments for discussion: https://ow.ly/1wjs50Z5ONT

The Subcabinet seeks to advance growth and generates economic opportunity. Our goal is to balance this development with natural resource stewardship and foster healthy, thriving communities for all Marylanders.

Your feedback during this forum will directly help shape the future of Sustainable Growth in our state.

To learn more, visit our web page: https://ow.ly/264w50Z5ONU

06/10/2026

Be sure to visit Preservation Maryland's website and learn about these fascinating projects!

Preservation Maryland is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Heritage Fund grants, a cooperative effort between Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust. The Heritage Fund supports projects […]

06/09/2026

DYK? The month of June -- following on the heels of April as National Fair Housing Month, and May as National Affordable Housing Month – is National Homeownership Month? And why exactly are these designations important?

First, there remains a critical housing shortage across most of the U.S. and unfortunately, Maryland is no exception. The shortage of affordable housing is even greater, both in terms of rental properties and those for sale, shutting out everyone from young people starting out on their own to seniors living on fixed incomes who can no longer keep apace with increases in rent or expenses of owning a home.

Additionally, fair housing abuses still exist making it hardest of all for minorities to secure housing in an already tight market. And finally, without fair access and affordable prices, the potential for residents to save enough to enter into homeownership remains out of reach -- and without homeownership – the single largest asset for building wealth in America, also remains out of reach.

The purpose of “celebrating” these months is to educate the public and to ensure these issues are brought to the attention of the public and policy makers so that programs supporting fair, affordable housing receive the proper levels of funding necessary to ensure enough housing is built in a range of prices points so that everyone has fair access to a safe and healthy place to live.

MDP’s State Data and analysis Center provides essential housing data for Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions, with interactive tools that allow users to explore change over time and compare across geographies. These data support planning, policy analysis, and efforts to understand the housing landscape at both the state and local levels.

MDP also provides housing planning assistance by interpreting state policy and developing regulatory guidelines to help local jurisdictions plan for housing needs, prepare their local comprehensive plans, and assess fair housing within their communities.

Visit our website to learn more housing in Maryland, check out our Housing Data Dashboard: https://apps.planning.maryland.gov/hb1045/index.html

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

Join the MD Two Fifty Virtual Convening to hear from guest speakers and learn about 250th commemorations occurring across Maryland!

See below that attached link!

meet.google.com/vrw-muvd-cvx