Cambridge, Maryland Comprehensive Plan Update
Charrette Dates: August 18-22, 2025
The Cambridge Comprehensive Plan Update is currently underway, shaping a vision that balances growth, sustainability and community well-being . As one of Maryland’s oldest colonial cities, Cambridge is celebrated for its maritime heritage, vibrant Main Street, and strong commitment to sustainable development. This update serves as a roadmap for the city’s future, guiding decisions on land use, housing, transportation, environmental stewardship, economic development, and more—all while preserving Cambridge’s unique character and rich history.
As the city continues to evolve, it faces both challenges and opportunities. Housing affordability, climate resilience, and economic diversification are critical areas of focus. With rising sea levels and environmental concerns, the plan will emphasize sustainability, prioritizing responsible development that protects Cambridge’s natural resources including its waterfront and surrounding farmland. Maybe you want to launch a business.
Public engagement is a key component of this process. The Comprehensive Plan will reflect the voices of residents, businesses, and stakeholders, ensuring a shared vision for a thriving, inclusive, and resilient Cambridge. By fostering mixed-use development, enhancing connectivity, and supporting innovation districts, the city can attract new opportunities while honoring its historic roots.
This update aligns with the Maryland Planning Act and will serve as a guiding policy document through 2045, helping to create a more vibrant and sustainable future for Cambridge. Whether through improved public spaces, expanded transportation options, or strengthened economic initiatives, the plan aims to support a high quality of life for all who live, work, and visit this dynamic waterfront city.
The Cambridge Comprehensive Plan Charrette will be an engaging and collaborative process designed to involve the community in shaping the future of the city. A charrette is an intensive, multi-day public session where a planning team establishes a design studio in Cambridge to host interactive public events. The design studio will remain open and accessible throughout the charrette, allowing the team to work transparently while gathering input and refining ideas in real time.
For Cambridge, the charrette will focus on capturing the community’s vision through hands-on workshops and interactive design sessions that encourage participation from as many residents, business owners, and stakeholders as possible. These sessions will bring together diverse perspectives to define priorities, explore creative solutions, and ensure that the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of the entire community.
Throughout the process, the planning team will continuously refine concepts and test ideas based on community feedback, ensuring that the evolving plan remains grounded in local values. The on-site planning studio will serve as the creative hub for this effort, fostering ongoing engagement and transparency. Residents will have multiple opportunities to share insights, review emerging ideas, and help shape the plan’s direction.
This in-depth process not only produces a forward-thinking plan but also strengthens community connections and a shared sense of responsibility for Cambridge’s future. By seeing their ideas take shape, participants gain a deeper appreciation for urban planning principles and a stronger sense of ownership in the final vision.
The charrette is not just about creating a plan, but about building a shared future that aligns with the values and aspirations of the Cambridge community.
