November 2018

Making a Maryland Milestone: The Anacostia Trails Heritage Area

AICP Members will learn about the history of US Route 1 in Prince George’s County, the impact of this transportation corridor, and the development of a Heritage Area to revitalize the region through history, historic preservation, arts, and natural resources. Details on grant funding, partnership development, and how Heritage Areas might work throughout the county will be discussed.

September 2018

Arlington County's Smart Growth Journey, Rosslyn-Ballston Metro Corridor, Implementing the General Land Use Plan

 
For over 50 years, Arlington County Virginia’s General Land Use Plan (GLUP), a core element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan, has served as the primary guide for Arlington’s Smart Growth Journey.  During this period, Arlington has experienced a remarkable transformation from a suburban, auto centric collection of neighborhoods to one of this country’s most recognized examples of the benefits of smart growth, sustainability, walkability and transit-oriented development.

August 2018

Environmental Justice and Health Equity in Prince George’s County, Maryland: Tools for Engagement, Capacity Building, and Action

 
There is a wealth of research on the differential burden of environmental hazards and locally unwanted land uses (LULUs) on communities of color and low-income populations.  Studies have shown that heavily trafficked roadways, incinerators, chemical plants, factories, landfills, and other pollution-emitting facilities tend to have disproportionate impacts across race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.  Communities with a high number of LULUs tend to also have more exposure to psychosocial stressors and lower access to health-promoting infrastructure including supermarkets, grocery stores, and ecologic amenities including parks, tree canopy, and healthy rivers and streams. Inequities in planning, zoning, and community development can drive or exacerbate environmental injustice and related health issues.

May 2018

Green Burial: An Environmentally Friendly Option to Return the Body to the Earth

Each year in the United States we bury 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid; 1,636,000 tons of reinforced concrete; 90,272 tons of steel; 2,700 tons of copper and bronze; and 30 million board feet of hardwoods. Traditional burial can take a heavy toll on the environment, and be very expensive and time-consuming. Green Burial offers an alternative to this wasteful use of natural resources and provides the opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint at the time of our passing. During this presentation, you will learn about Green Burial: what is, how it differs from conventional burial practices, the history of Green Burial and the options available to Marylanders.

March 2018

Bringing Olli, the world’s first self-driving cognitive vehicle to National Harbor In Prince George's County, Maryland

Mr. David C Woessner, General Manager, Local Motors, National Harbor,  will provide an in-depth review of how Local Motors launched the Olli in National Harbor in 2016 and the journey that they have been on since launching their award-winning facility to bring self-driving vehicles to Prince George’s County, Maryland. Olli, a smart, safe, and sustainable self-driving electric shuttle is poised to transform surface transportation as we know it. It brings increased efficiency to public transport and can revitalize a neighborhood, optimize accessibility and mobility on a campus, or enhance a thriving Downtown. Mr. Woessner will discuss obstacles at both federal and state levels for launching new transportation technology, while also acknowledging the regulatory and governmental support they have received over the last two years. He will also discuss lessons learned along the way.

January 2018

Retailer for Wellness: Helping to Build Healthy Communities

 The Plan Prince George’s 2035 Approved General Plan, has the following Healthy Communities Goal: Create safe, connected communities that promote active lifestyles and provide convenient access to healthy foods. The grocery store is a primary link to good health by providing good food options that promote a healthy lifestyle. As a long-standing member of the community, Giant Food is taking the next step to becoming a retailer for wellness, adding In-store Nutritionists and expanding Pharmacy activities. This presentation will provide insight into how a tour through the grocery store can help you integrate eight important steps to achieve a healthy lifestyle.