Partnering with the Montclair Center Business Improvement District (BID), this graduate studio conducted a district-wide economic needs assessment that builds on the 2021 Strategic Plan to evaluate current post-pandemic conditions. The report examines the results of the survey, analyzes the current progress of the goals outlined in the previous 2021 Strategic Plan, and provides placemaking and economic development recommendations for the Montclair Center BID.
Topic
Urban Planning Studios
Complete Streets Planning: Enhancing Active Transportation in Linwood, NJ
Partnering with the City of Linwood New Jersey, the studio developed recommendations to improve a well-used bicycle and pedestrian trail. Central to the plan are recommendations for widening the Linwood Bike Path to fifteen feet, supported by recommendations focused on placemaking, climate resilience, and enhancing the overall user experience.
New York City: Transfer of Development Rights & Transit-Oriented Community
The Transfer of Development Rights from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Saint Bartholomew’s Church to 350 Park Avenue is an example in New York City that showcases how landmark sites can be preserved while still benefiting from their development potential. Essentially
Studio: Hudson County Vision For the Future Comprehensive Plan Public Engagement Guide
Bloustein students collaborated with the Hudson County Division of Planning to develop recommendations for a public engagement guide and create a community survey for the county’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
Dallessio’s Plan4HealthNJ Studio Bridges Public Health and Comprehensive Planning
Sponsored by the American Planning Association-New Jersey Chapter (APA-NJ) with a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Plan4HealthNJ project is an ambitious multi-year project bridging together public health and comprehensive planning.
Studio: A Framework for Community Benefits Agreements
The Fall 2025 Studio prepared frameworks for community engagement and Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs). Now, it is time to strategize how Dayton and the Airport City Newark Coalition can utilize CBAs in negotiations with future developers. By doing so, the ACNC can ensure that new projects deliver meaningful and equitable benefits to local residents.
Studio: Decarbonizing NYC’s Low-to-Moderate-Income Buildings
To ensure that LL97 implementation does not jeopardize housing stability, this studio report recommends allowing block-level compliance in low-income areas, establishing tailored timelines for Section 321 properties, and expanding financial support for deep retrofits.
Studio: Newark’s EWR Transit-Oriented Community
The Graduate Planning Studio of Spring 2025 is essential because it marks a significant shift in how Dayton and the South Ward of Newark are recognized within the broader regional transit network. Historically, these areas were invisible regarding transit access and public investment.
Placement of New Jersey Harm Reduction Centers
The purpose of this studio is to study the provision and implementation of HRC’s (Harm Reduction Centers) in New Jersey by directive of the public law signed into effect in 2021. In addition to existing HRC’s in 7 different locations, the NJDOH (Department of Health) is specifically interested in the implementation of vending machines and mobile units.
Penn Express: Mending the Gaps in Pennsylvania’s Bus Network
projects outlines a plan for PennDOT to launch 12 new bus routes connecting 85 communities across the state under the brand Penn Express.