Urban Discoveries Baltimore

We here at Urban Discoveries Living love city living wherever we find it. We’re addicted to the happy bustle, the invigorating mix of culture, the unexpected friendliness of strangers. And we’re proud that our city has been on the upswing recently, with dropping crime rates, renewed interest in its vibrant art scene, and expansion all around town. So of course we’re nervous about the implications of this recession — not just on our wallets, but on the future of the city that we love.

Ultimately, though we’re with many of the experts who see this recession as an opportunity, not a setback. With the government pumping an unprecedented $885 billion into the economy, we have the chance not just to get our financial systems on track, but also to reinvent and revitalize the American city — Baltimore included. Why not use this historic moment to bring about necessary and welcome change, such as firming up out-of-date infrastructure (remember that bridge collapse in Minneapolis?), investing in human capital, and creating innovative, sustainable transportation networks?

So far, the jury’s still out on whether the stimulus plan will bring the innovation we’re thirsting for, or whether we’ll end up with more of the same. We are worried that $30 billion will be spent on building new roads and bridges — that’s three times as much as what’s set aside for public transportation. As we mentioned last week, we’re fans of Baltimore’s under-appreciated light rail system. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. And favoring road expansions over repairs — the strategy the highway lobby is pushing — encourages sprawl and undermines the progress of cities.

There are a lot of smart, exciting proposals out there for how the stimulus money would most benefit cities. Here are some of our favorites:

• William Peduto lays out a plan for Pittsburgh, but one that would be easily applicable to Baltimore.
• Smart Growth America drafted a petition that we found worth signing.
• The Congress for New Urbanism proposes a stimulus plan amendment that focuses on reimagining our city streets.
• CEOs for Cities is collecting and posting innovate proposals from various sources.

How do you think the recession can help Baltimore change for the better?

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