National Center for Smart Growth

What National Center for Smart Growth does

The National Center for Smart Growth (NCSG) is a non-profit research and education center housed at the University of Maryland, College Park, within the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. It conducts applied research and provides technical assistance on urban and regional planning, transportation policy, housing affordability, smart cities technology, and equitable community development. The center operates through five core programs: the Transportation Policy Research Group (TPRG), which runs the annual Maryland Commuter Survey under a cooperative agreement with the Maryland Department of Transportation; the Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), which has connected 2,400+ University of Maryland students to 300+ local government projects since 2014; the Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC), a 2013-formed convening of nearly 40 stakeholders managing equitable transit-oriented development along a 16-mile corridor; the Small Business Anti-Displacement Network (SBAN), a JPMorgan Chase-funded 175-organization network; and the Smart Cities Initiative, an NSF-supported partnership with the UMD iSchool, Johns Hopkins GovEx, Morgan State, and University of Baltimore.

NCSG delivers its work through commissioned research reports (e.g., 2020 and 2025 State Housing Needs Assessments for Maryland DHCD, 2026 Factory-Built Housing report), interactive web mapping tools built on ArcGIS Experience Builder, peer-reviewed academic publications, and direct technical assistance to local governments. Its customer base is concentrated in Maryland state and local government agencies, transit authorities, and community development nonprofits, with funding derived primarily from government cooperative agreements, federal grants (NSF, FTA), and philanthropic commitments (notably the $5 million JPMorgan Chase commitment from 2019-2022). Because NCSG is a university research center rather than a commercial enterprise, it does not sell products or services; outputs are disseminated through open-access publications, free downloadable tools, and stakeholder convenings including annual SBAN summits and the Spring Colloquium series.

The center's leadership includes Executive Director Kathryn Howell and Director Gerrit-Jan Knaap (who also chairs PLCC), supported by Associate Director Nicholas Finio and program directors across PALS, PLCC, and SBAN. Geographic scope is restricted to Maryland for direct program delivery, though SBAN extends convening reach nationally and internationally. NCSG's strategic positioning sits at the intersection of academic research and policy implementation, leveraging its university affiliation for talent and data assets while serving as a neutral broker for multi-stakeholder coalitions addressing transit, housing, and community development challenges.

Name

National Center for Smart Growth

Legal name

National Center for Smart Growth (NCSG)

Website

https://umdsmartgrowth.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Center for Smart Growth is a University of Maryland-affiliated research center conducting urban planning, transportation policy, housing affordability, and smart cities research for Maryland state and local governments, transit authorities, and community development organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

College Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NCSG is a university research center that conducts applied research, technical assistance, and coalition-building programs on smart growth, transportation, housing affordability, and equitable urban development for Maryland state and local governments and communities. Its work is delivered through long-running programs including the Transportation Policy Research Group, the Maryland Commuter Survey, PALS, PLCC, SBAN, the Smart Cities Initiative, interactive web mapping tools, and commissioned policy reports such as the State Housing Need Assessment.

Product overview

The National Center for Smart Growth is a university research center at the University of Maryland that provides research, tools, and collaborative programs rather than a unified software product. Its portfolio includes the Maryland Commuter Survey (an annual transportation survey), the Transportation Policy Research Group (TPRG), the Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), the Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC), the Small Business Anti-Displacement Network (SBAN), the Smart Cities Initiative, the Maryland State-Owned Land Near Transit Map interactive tool, and various housing research reports including the State Housing Need Assessment and Factory-Built Housing in Maryland Report.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maryland Commuter Survey Annual statewide survey administered by NCSG in partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation providing data on commuting patterns, work arrangements, and transportation modes for Maryland workers, used by transportation policymakers and planners.
• Transportation Policy Research Group (TPRG) Cooperative research program between MDOT and the University of Maryland, housed at NCSG, that delivers data and analyses for transportation performance measurement, policymaking, and infrastructure development to Maryland and local governments.
• Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS) Campus-wide initiative administered by NCSG at University of Maryland that pairs faculty and students with Maryland local governments to deliver sustainability, environmental, and community development projects.
• Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC) Regional stakeholder coalition convened by NCSG that advances equitable transit-oriented development, affordable housing preservation, and small business support along the 16-mile Purple Line corridor in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.
• Small Business Anti-Displacement Network (SBAN) Network of 175 organizations across the United States and internationally working to prevent displacement of BIPOC- and immigrant-owned small businesses in gentrifying neighborhoods, funded by JPMorgan Chase's Small Business Forward Program.
• Smart Cities Initiative Partnership between NCSG and the University of Maryland iSchool that explores opportunities to align community needs with smart city technology research and development, including IoT stormwater management and urban analytics.
• Maryland State-Owned Land Near Transit Map Interactive web-based mapping tool built on ArcGIS Experience Builder that supports transit-oriented development and land use planning by identifying Maryland state-owned parcels within transit buffers.
• Maryland State Housing Need Assessment Comprehensive housing needs assessment conducted for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, analyzing housing production, zoning capacity, affordability gaps, and housing needs across Maryland.
• Factory-Built Housing in Maryland Report Research report exploring regulatory barriers and market dynamics for manufactured and modular (factory-built) housing in Maryland, examining the lifecycle from manufacturing through permitting and placement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,400+ UMD students connected to 300+ projects since 2014
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2025DHCD commissioned NCSG to conduct both the 2020 and 2025 State Housing Needs Assessments, analyzing housing affordability challenges and policy recommendations for Maryland.
• Enterprise Community PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2017PLCC steering committee member and housing development partner focused on affordable housing preservation and creation along the Purple Line corridor.
• CASA de MarylandmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2017PLCC steering committee member advocating for immigrant communities along the Purple Line corridor.
• Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2017PLCC steering committee member providing small business technical assistance and loan capital to Latino-owned businesses affected by Purple Line construction.
• National Housing TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2017PLCC steering committee member providing financing products for affordable housing preservation along the Purple Line corridor.
• Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative agreement between MDOT and University of Maryland through the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and the A. James Clark School of Engineering. Housed at NCSG, the Transportation Policy Research Group (TPRG) provides data and analyses for transportation performance measurement, policymaking, and infrastructure development. Conducts the annual Maryland Commuter Survey.
• Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership of regional stakeholders across Montgomery County and Prince George's County formed in 2013 by NCSG. Ensures Purple Line light rail investments offer maximum economic, social, and environmental opportunities to residents and businesses. Nearly 40 public and private stakeholders including Enterprise Community Partners, CASA, Prince George's and Montgomery Counties.
• Johns Hopkins University (GovEx)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University partnering on Smart Cities initiative, bringing data management expertise to West Baltimore smart cities planning.
• Morgan State UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in Smart Cities initiative for West Baltimore, contributing engineering expertise.
• University of BaltimoremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance expertise to Smart Cities initiative.
• College of Information Studies (iSchool)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between NCSG and Maryland's iSchool for Smart Cities Initiative, exploring opportunities to align community needs with research and technology development.
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency in FTA-funded Purple Line corridor planning grant.
• Montgomery County GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner government in PLCC and FTA-funded Purple Line corridor planning, committed to equitable transit-oriented development.
• Prince George's County GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner government in PLCC and FTA-funded Purple Line corridor planning, committed to equitable transit-oriented development.
• Small Business Anti-Displacement Network (SBAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSG project funded by JPMorgan Chase's Small Business Forward Program. Network of 175 organizations across US and internationally working to prevent displacement of BIPOC- and immigrant-owned small businesses. Includes policymakers, nonprofit advocates, technical assistance providers, developers, financial institutions, scholars, and small business owners.
• Frederick CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPALS partner jurisdiction receiving sustainability assistance including watershed studies, stormwater management, and environmental planning.
• College Park Department of Planning & Community DevelopmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPALS partner receiving multiyear sustainability planning assistance.
• Kaiser PermanentemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLCC member and corporate partner committed to community health and equitable development along the Purple Line corridor.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Regional Plan Association: Independent regional planning organization producing research and long-range plans for the New York tri-state region. Comparable because both organizations translate urban and regional research into actionable plans, convening regional coalitions and producing reports that influence state-level policy.
• Lincoln Institute of Land Policy: Independent research institution focused on land policy, urban planning, and equitable development. Comparable because both produce applied research and policy tools for planners and government agencies, with similar funding models built on philanthropy and grants.
• Smart Growth America: National advocacy organization promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods and TOD. Comparable because both organizations operate in the smart growth / TOD policy space and target state and local government decision-makers with research, frameworks, and convening power.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing and community development, and an active NCSG partner. Comparable because both organizations operate at the intersection of housing policy, TOD, and community development and frequently co-fund or co-author research and programs.
• Urban Institute: Major nonpartisan policy research organization studying housing, transportation, neighborhoods, and economic mobility. Comparable because both organizations deliver research and data products to government and philanthropic funders in overlapping urban policy domains.

Emerging players

• Eno Center for Transportation: Independent transportation policy organization providing research, professional development, and convening for federal and state transportation leaders. Comparable because both produce transportation policy research and analysis that informs state DOT planning decisions, similar to NCSG's TPRG.
• NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy: NY-based academic research center producing housing and urban policy research, including the annual State of the Nation's Housing report. Comparable because both organizations are housed within universities and produce applied housing and land-use research for government and advocacy audiences.
• Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research: University-based research center studying urban issues in the Houston region, including housing, demographics, and infrastructure. Comparable because both are university-affiliated urban research centers that produce regional data products and policy briefs for state and local audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program: Policy research arm of the Brookings Institution focused on metropolitan economics, housing, and infrastructure. Comparable because both produce housing and infrastructure policy research aimed at federal, state, and local decision-makers, though Brookings operates at much greater scale and breadth.
• RAND Corporation: Global policy research organization conducting transportation, housing, and urban studies under government and philanthropic contracts. Comparable because both operate as nonprofit research institutions funded by government contracts and grants, though RAND is much broader in scope and geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/umdsmartgrowth.bsky.social
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-center-for-smart-growth
• Instagraminstagram.com/purplelinecc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Center for Smart Growth