UMBC Stormwater Institutional Management Plan & Open Space Framework

A master plan reconnects a campus to its natural surroundings and addresses stormwater management issues as well.

Established in 1966 and located in the Patapsco River watershed, on the I-95 corridor between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is one of the largest universities in Maryland. While pedestrian in nature, the surrounding road disconnects the campus from the natural areas outside of it. Additionally, stormwater management features built over the last five decades have interrupted the connectivity between buildings and the open spaces on campus.

The desire for better cohesion between new buildings, adjoining open spaces, and stormwater management features resulted in a planning initiative led by Biohabitats. With the goal of addressing stormwater management to create natural habitat, providing recreational and research opportunities, creating working and dynamic landscapes, and displaying leadership in sustainability, the team developed an Institutional Management Plan (IMP).

This plan allowed stormwater improvements to benefit campus cohesion, improve pedestrian circulation, and support the creation of memorable outdoor gathering spaces. This IMP was the first of its kind to be developed by one of the University System of Maryland institutions. As such, UMBC and Biohabitats worked cooperatively with the Maryland Department of the Environment throughout the process.

Biohabitats established a baseline of best management practices and a hydrologic model that established campus drainages and points of interest at locations where flow leaves campus. With the baseline established, the team then reviewed the impact of future growth on the campus, based on long range facilities master planning and capital improvement project budgeting and planning. Future campus growth will be guided and informed by principles and goals adopted by UMBC that are consistent with stormwater regulatory requirements but also extend beyond to include consideration of campus sustainability, natural resource enhancement, landscape and open space function and framework, and aesthetics.

TAGS

• Analysis+Planning
• Assessment+Monitoring
• Ecological Restoration