UDAT Process

What is UDAT?

UDAT Workshop

UDAT is an acronym for Urban Design Assistance Team, a group of professionals affiliated with the American Institute of Architects (AIA). UDATs typically consist of ten nationally-recognized professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, economics, and related disciplines who are invited to communities to find ways to encourage desirable change.

The Essex-Middle River Renaissance Corporation (E-MRRC) hosted a UDAT in our community from October 21 - 26, 2004. The team conducted an intensive six-day workshop, engaging all members of the community in creating a vision for the future. Please check out the UDAT Presentation to see the recommendations they made. The process was fast-paced, exciting, and energizing and is not over.

What area was studied?

The study area was determined through an iterative process involving community input. The UDAT Steering Committee eventually chose the same area that was covered by the 1995 Baltimore County Community Conservation Plan for Essex-Middle River.

The boundaries were defined by the following map:

However, the team analyzed this area and chose to focus more on the parts of Essex surrounding Eastern Boulevard with an emphasis on the 400 and 500 blocks, the Back River Neck Road corridor including Josenhan's Corner and Country Ridge Shopping Center, the Middle River Bridge and triangle park area, Dark Head Cove, and possibilities for the GSA Depot and the gateway to Middle River at the planned terminus of MD 43. Please view the presentation for more detail.

What will the UDAT process (and the resulting report) do for Essex-Middle River?

Communities across the country are constantly changing. Some of the challenges they encounter include the loss of major employers, new bypass roads, gridlock, unfocused suburban growth, crime, loss of open space, regional conflict, unaffordable housing, abandoned mills and industrial plants, environmental problems, vacant storefronts, and loss of identity. Many of these issues have been identified by members of our own community via public forums. The UDAT vision will help us respond to these challenges and the synergy created in the community with the process will help us implement a strategy that will produce results.

Why does the UDAT Process work?

The process works because it relies on three simple principles.

Quality: Team members are highly respected, interdisciplinary professionals selected on the basis of their experience with the specific issues facing your community. The energy and creativity that are generated by a top-notch team of professionals working collaboratively can produce extraordinary results.

Objectivity: Many communities are immobilized by conflicting agendas, politics, personalities, or even the overabundance of opportunity. The UDAT process ensures that all  voices are given a fair hearing and that options are weighed impartially. The lack of bias, professional stature of the team members, and pro bono nature of the work generate community respect and enthusiasm for the process.

Participation: The process encourages the active participation of all sectors of the community. A common sentiment expressed after a UDAT is: "This experience really brought the community together. People who never talked before are now working together."
 

Intangible products frequently include:

• Objective look at the community

• Sense of purpose and direction

• New energy and commitment

• New levels of cooperation and collaboration throughout the community

• Consensus on community concerns

• Improved communication networks throughout the community

Tangible products include:

• A well-illustrated, professional report, published and distributed by the E-MRRC, that examines the community's concerns and aspirations and recommends a vision for the future, specific action items, and timetables for consideration by your community.

• An action plan, developed by the E-MRRC working with the broader community, that describes priorities for action, including a timetable.

Now that the UDAT has left us with their proposals it is time for the more of the area residents, business, and institutions to get involved in the creation of a workable community plan. We have formed committees to help us facilitate this community planning process. We will need your participation in this process in order to create the best plan for our communities.