April 21, 2010

College Park, Md.—A University of Maryland interdisciplinary student team finished in the elite final four in the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition. Nearly 660 students comprising 132 teams from 48 universities in the U.S. and Canada applied to participate in the competition, and only four advanced to the finals. Team Maryland, comprised of graduate students of architecture, real estate development, community planning and landscape architecture, received a $10,000 cash prize and travel to San Diego for the final presentation.

The competition called for an urban design and development proposal for a complex 73.5-acre site at the edge of downtown San Diego. In the final round team Maryland received praise from judges for the elegance of the urban design and the sustainable aspects of their proposal.

The team's proposal, "East Village: The Garden District" (click to download PDF), strategically uses open space to create a greenway that connects Balboa Park with the San Diego Bay waterfront. The proposal's overall aims are to refine the neighborhood's identity through the promotion of the arts and education; increase the economic vitality of East Village; transform the area into walkable streets and blocks; create a memorable college town and affordable housing for the growing community; and promote environmental stewardship by incorporating sustainable design techniques at all scales.  

Matthew Bell, AIA, lead faculty advisor to the team, said, "In 2009 we received an honorable mention and this year's effort took us to the final round for the first time. Our interdisciplinary design team was a pleasure to sponsor and the work is equal to many of the best professional efforts for urban designs of a similar scope. Our work is competitive on the highest level." Rounding out the winner’s circle were teams from Harvard and Penn with UNC/NC State taking the overall prize.

Team Maryland:
Kameron Aroom, Master of Landscape Architecture
Brian H. Brodeur, Master of Architecture, Master of Real Estate Development
Lin Mao, Master of Architecture
Timothy Martin Phillips, Master of Real Estate Development
Gregory Patrick Vernon, Master of Community Planning
Matthew Bell, AIA, Professor of Architecture (Lead Faculty Advisor)
Jim Cohen, PhD, Director of the Urban Studies and Planning Program (Faculty Advisor)
Margaret McFarland, JD, Director of the Real Estate Development Program (Faculty Advisor)

The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland is home to four academic disciplines: architecture, urban planning, historic preservation and real estate development. Committed to educating its students and community about the importance of sustainability and smart growth, the School practices an interdisciplinary approach to education, research, creative work, and community and professional service. For more information, please e-mail us or call 301.405.8000.

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