Greenbelt Maryland
"A city should be built to give its inhabitants security and happiness"
My Greenbelt Experience
When I first set out to conduct a research project on the city of Greenbelt, Maryland, I had no idea what to expect. I had never been to Greenbelt and did not know anything about its distinctive conception and heritage. Despite my initial uncertainty, after about five minutes of driving through Old Greenbelt to the shopping center I could clearly sense what a truly unique community Greenbelt is.
My research started with a broad history of one of the first and most successful planned communities in America, and took many unexpected turns before the completion of my project. Like the series of walkways that connect the Greenbelt homes and the people who reside in them, the events that make up Greenbelt’s history are all related; they all serve to highlight the unique qualities of a cooperative community and emphasize the importance of studying Greenbelt as a social, political, and architectural landmark in our country’s history.
I started this project with the intention of highlighting the aspects of Greenbelt that have changed since it was founded as a part of FDR’s New Deal. After countless hours spent researching, talking to Greenbelt residents, and exploring the streets, businesses, and walkways of Old Greenbelt, I realized that it is not the changed aspects of the Greenbelt community that are noteworthy. Rather, it is the enduring sense of cooperation and unity through these changes that makes Greenbelt exceptional. My project attempts to analyze this enduring spirit of community by looking at the architectural history of Greenbelt- from the initial site plan to the rules and regulations for remodeling original houses today. I also took a closer look into a group that is a core part of any community; the Volunteer Fire Department. So here it is, my small contribution to the legacy that is Greenbelt Maryland.
