Making Maryland’s Downtowns More Sustainable
From Oakland to Ocean City, Maryland’s citizens share the same goal
of living in healthy, vibrant communities where they can live, work
and prosper. As a result, communities have a major investment in the
infrastructure — streetscapes, schools, water/sewer lines — of their traditional
downtowns and neighborhoods. These communities are also faced with the
challenges of the coming decades including an increasing population, rising
energy costs, limited resources, water and air pollution, and climate change.
This guide, a collaboration between the Maryland Department of Housing and
Community Development (DHCD) and the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), is designed to address those challenges, giving communities
throughout Maryland an important set of principles, guidelines, and examples of
how to pursue and implement sustainable practices. Sustainability emphasizes the
balance between economic, social and environmental resources needed for today with preserving those same resources for
future generations. In order to maintain and even expand those resources, there needs to be a focus on best practices such
as compact mixed use development, rehabilitation and reuse, and pedestrian orientated design — all major characteristics
found in Maryland’s historic Main Street communities.
Since 1998, DHCD’s Main Street Maryland
program has strived to improve the economy,
appearance and image of the State’s traditional
business districts, utilizing the National Main Street
Center’s Four-Point Approach™. In addition to the
Four Points, DHCD has initiated a Clean, Safe
and Green strategy to increase sustainability in
Maryland’s designated Main Street communities.
With a commitment to adopting green strategies
that impact and benefit businesses, residents and
visitors, Main Street Maryland communities
provide some best practices that can be
implemented in downtowns across the State. There
is a strong connection between how we treat the
built environment and the quality of our natural
environment—this guide brings that connection
into focus.
We can reshape our communities by reinvesting in older areas, reducing waste and improving energy efficiency. Making
Maryland’s downtowns more sustainable ensures that communities will be Smart, Green and Growing for generations
to come.
https://www.green.maryland.gov/greendowntown/green_guide.pdfoldId.20100506121526360