James R. Cohen, Ph.D.
Director, Urban Studies & Planning Program;Lecturer

Office: 1245    |    Phone: 301-405-6795    |    Email

M.R.P., 1985, Cornell University; Ph.D. City and Regional Planning, 1991, Cornell University. Member of APA.

Specializations in land use planning, growth management, planning history and theory.  Co-facilitator of the Smart Growth Leadership Program.  Associate Editor of Housing Policy Debate since 1997.

TEACHING
In 2007-8 Dr. Cohen is teaching planning history and theory, and growth management, Since 1999 he has taught six studio courses in a range of communities.  The experience of one of his studio courses was the basis for his chapter “Using a Studio Course for Provision of Smart Growth Technical Assistance,” in W. Wiewel and G. Jan-Knaap (eds.), Partnerships for Smart Growth (Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2005). 

RECENT RESEARCH
In collaboration with Marie Howland, in 2007 Dr. Cohen is working on funded research analyzing trends in industrially-zoned land use in Prince George’s County (MD), and the economic impacts and policy implications of those trends.  In another project beginning in 2007, Dr. Cohen is doing analysis for a paper entitled “State Funding for Sewer Infrastructure:  Is it Smart Growth versus Chesapeake Bay Restoration?”   

Two of his other other recent research projects are posted on the website of the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education at www.smartgrowth.umd.edu. One is entitled “Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances in Maryland:  An Analysis of Their Implementation and Effects on Residential Development in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area”.  Another paper is entitled “Water Supply as a Factor in Local Growth Management in the U.S.: A Review of Current Practice, and Implications for Maryland.”  Cohen has also examined strategies being implemented by cities to address the problem of abandoned houses and empty lots resulting from persistent population loss.  This research resulted in an article, “Abandoned Housing:  Exploring Lessons from Baltimore,” that was published in November 2001 in Housing Policy Debate.  The article may be accessed on the web at  http://www.fanniemaefoundation.org/programs/hpd/v12i3-index.shtml.

Dr. Cohen also wrote a book chapter, “Maryland’s ‘Smart Growth’: Using Incentives to Combat Sprawl,” that is included in G. Squires (ed.), Urban Sprawl: Causes, Consequences and Policy Responses (Washington, DC: The Urban Institute Press, 2002).     

Dr. Cohen conducted research and provided technical assistance in St. Mary’s County, MD, supported by the Fannie Mae Foundation’s Office of University-Community Partnerships.  The St. Mary’s County project involved analysis of the conflict between full enforcement of that county’s housing code and the potential loss of housing affordable to the area’s low income tenants.  The final report, published in January 2002, is entitled Housing Affordability and Livability Issues in St. Mary’s County Maryland:  Analysis and Recommendations.   

James Cohen Work

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