A Message from the Director

Updated Neighborhood Statistical Area Map Released The Department of Planning has updated the Neighborhood Statistical Areas (NSA) map, in conjunction with the decennial census. As you know this map does not reflect Community Associations or their boundaries but is a tool for collecting and displaying data. This map is based on census block geography and needs to stay relatively consistent in order to compare data over the decades.  Following each decennial census, we make limited updates to the map.  Over the last year, we compiled community input through multiple surveys and spent the past few months conducting an internal review.  We have published a new Neighborhood Statistical Area map, a list of the changes, and an online map.  If you’d like a new printed map, please contact Planninggis.Request@baltimorecity.gov.

Chris Ryer, Director

City of Baltimore Department of Planning

Planning News

Coming in Fall 2023: Phase Three of "Our Baltimore" Comprehensive Plan Update

The Our Baltimore Plan will outline a 10-year strategy for land use and development across Baltimore City. A finalized plan must be approved by the Mayor and City Council and transmitted to the State of Maryland by the end of 2024. In summary, here are the following Our Baltimore Plan phases:

Phase One (Listening to Establish a Vision)- In spring 2022, Planning launched the first of three phases to update Baltimore's Comprehensive Plan. With the guidance of our resident engagement partners and community engagement fellows, we listened and collected input on the plan's scope and priority topic areas.

Key Actions:

• Convened Comprehensive Plan Community Engagement Team, Community Advisory Council and Hired Engagement Fellows,
• Surveyed Public Online,
• Provided Storytelling Training to Community Partners to Collect Public Feedback,
• Facilitated Focus Groups and
• Held Comprehensive Plan Open Houses.

Phase Two (Creating)- By fall 2022, Planning curated deeper public engagement opportunities on distinct priority topics to develop more actionable recommendations. 

Key Actions:

• Facilitated 20 In-Person Community Conversations Across Baltimore on Public Identified Priority Topics and
• Convened the Our Baltimore Community Conference at Baltimore Polytechnic High School.

Phase Three (Drafting & Reviewing)- Beginning in fall 2023, the public will have an opportunity to review initial drafts of the "Our Baltimore" Comprehensive Plan.

Key Actions: 

Upcoming Public Comment on Initial Plan Drafts & Community Charettes (September 2023)

Baltimore Planning Academy Applications Open June 15 - June 30, 2023

This six-week program has a mix of in-person tours and virtual training sessions. Speakers include city government staff, community leadership and industry professionals. Applicants must be Baltimore City residents committed to applying the information provided to improve their communities. Applications will be posted on the academy website, emailed through the agency's e-blast, and posted on the agency's Facebook and Instagram pages.

Applications for the fall 2023 cohort of the Baltimore Planning Academy will open on June 15th and close on June 30th.

Since launching in 2018, over 240 Baltimore City residents have successfully completed this program. Graduates include Regina Hammond (Johnston Square), Doris Minor-Terrell (Broadway East), Lady Brion (Black Arts District), Eric Stephenson (Planning Commission/ Sandtown) Bree Jones (Parity Homes) and many more! We look forward to supporting the next cohort as they enhance their networks and understanding of the land use/development system.

Upcoming Commission Meetings & Events

June 13, 2023- 

Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP)

1:00 PM

Since 1964, CHAP has enhanced and promoted the culture and economy of Baltimore through the preservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods. CHAP meets on the second Tuesday of each month. 

Information and an agenda for the meeting are available HERE

June 21, 2023-

Office of Sustainability Open House

4:30 PM - 7:30 PM                                                 

Please join us at the 2023 Sustainability Open House at Morgan State University in the Graves Business School Atrium. This year, the focus of the event will be on Education and Careers in Sustainability. Come to learn about the efforts taking place across Baltimore to make the city more sustainable, more equitable and more resilient. Free registration HERE.