Like Paris, the city has been working to improve its wastewater system and make local waterways safe for swimming.

In an article for NPR, Adam Bearne highlights the city of Baltimore’s efforts to clean its waterways and make them safe for swimming.
As Bearne explains, “Baltimore was forced into action by a 2002 federal consent decree. This summer, over two decades later, residents were finally able to dive in.” The city spent billions on upgrading its sewer system to prevent human waste from entering the Inner Harbor.
According to a representative of the Waterfront Partnership, the Inner Harbor is now safe for swimming roughly 80 percent of the time. After heavy rains, sewers overflow and rain washes animal waste and other debris into local streams.
Advocacy group Blue Water Baltimore monitors local water quality for bacteria. “They also check how much nitrogen, phosphorus and oxygen it contains, as well as other measures of the health of the waterways.” A 2023 report from the group found high levels of harmful bacteria in much of Baltimore’s watershed.
FULL STORY: Like Paris, Baltimore knows the struggle of cleaning up water for swimming

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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