- June 09, 2026
- By Maggie Haslam
A design proposal by University of Maryland graduate students to unify two Baltimore neighborhoods historically divided by redlining and disinvestment earned top honors in the 2026 Congress of the New Urbanism (CNU) Charter Awards.
“Madison Crescent,” which transforms a vacant parcel into a community-centered, amenity- and housing-rich promenade, was one of two student projects honored in the national competition, which recognizes outstanding concepts in new urbanism—walkable, “human-scale” communities that intertwine housing, retail and civic amenities.
Developed by Makenna Benson M.Arch. ’27, M.H.P. ’27, Lauren McNamara M.Arch. ’26 and Shannon Sinnicki M.Arch. ’26, the project was one of seven conceived during a 2025 urban design studio led by architecture Professor Matthew Bell, and sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to generate new development ideas for vacant sites in Baltimore.
A vacant elementary school and community center added during 1960s urban renewal currently stand on the 6-acre site, which straddles the Bolton Hill and Madison Park neighborhoods. It was one of several areas where the city built over existing roads—in this case, Madison Avenue—to lengthen city blocks, but which ultimately cut off the corridor from vehicles and pedestrians, increasing traffic on neighboring streets.
The team’s design scheme reconnects Madison Avenue to create an accessible and quiet pedestrian boulevard anchored by an expansive, crescent-shaped public space, similar to landmarks in London or Paris. The green corridor provides a punctuated sense of place and focal point for the community.
While much-needed civic and retail amenities including a library and daycare bring new opportunities to residents, new housing is front and center: A mix of apartments and smaller rowhomes offers an alternative to the traditional—and more expensive—three-story Baltimore walkup prevalent in the area. “Mews,” or smaller, single-family rowhomes, cluster around secured traffic-free courtyards.
“I always tell my students that the first step in sustainability begins with reinforcing existing assets like streets, parks, schools and community-supporting infrastructure like retail and transit,” said Matthew Bell, who led the studio. “These projects help to envision how historic communities can grow by adding new residents, diversifying housing stock and creating places that future generations will come to greatly value.”