Rowan University Graduate Planning Studio 2026
Salem City Health Element
In Spring 2026, students in Rowan University’s Graduate Planning Studio, offered through the Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability, are advancing the public health component of the City of Salem, NJ’s future master plan. In partnership with the Rowan University Community Planning + Visualization Lab and with partial support from the American Planning Association NJ Chapter, the studio centers public health as a core driver of community planning. Students are analyzing spatial and non-spatial data drawn from existing databases, plans, and reports, alongside direct community input gathered through workshops, intercept surveys, and in-depth interviews. Their work translates this research into actionable strategies, practical toolkits, and targeted recommendations to embed public health into Salem’s long-term planning framework.
M A J O R O U T P U T S
Final Report - Coming soon!
Feedback
Excellent job, so much work in such a small amount of time.
Tara Paxton, PP, FAICP
Planner, Brick Township
Very thorough and insightful analysis.
Creigh Rahenkamp, PP, FAICP
CRPlan, LLC
The students did a great job presenting and we really appreciate the hard work you all put into it!
Emily Hazy
City of Salem
Great job. This was very thorough, focused on public health, but comprehensive in all the different elements.
Lou Thomas, AICP
Rowan University
The students were amazing!!!
Sheena Collum
Mayor, South Orange and APA-NJ
Awesome. I want to say congratulations. I am also really proud that the word food desert was only used once in this. I wish it was zero, but I'm proud that it was only once, and I'm really glad about the strategy around the refrigeration.
Megan Bucknum
Rowan University
Thank you for your in-depth work on this! Well done to all the students! It sounds like future projects of Plan4HealthNJ may want to focus on the systems beyond the physical design... and how to get the resources to the places they are needed.
Angela Knowles, PP, AICP
APA-NJ Plan4Health
Really impressive how much you were all able to achieve and contribute through the in-depth research and community engagement during this short timeline. I think the recommendations are well-structured.
Qian He
Rowan University
Great work everyone! The presentation was great. Your students did not need my help to field the questions. If there is a recording of the event, I would love to present it to City Council.
Jody Veler, PhD
Mayor, City of Salem
Partners
Sponsors
Faculty Advisor
Mahbubur Meenar, Ph.D.
Geography, Planning, & Sustainability
School of Earth & Environment
Acknowledgment
Laila Blanchard (Salem High School), Sean Brown (Director of Housing and Economic Development, City of Salem), Sharen Cline (Salem City Councilwoman), Thomas Dallessio, PP, FAICP (APA NJ Chapter), Emily Hazy (Grant coordinator, City of Salem), Shahd Juwhari (NJ Department of Community Affairs), Angela Knowles, PP, AICP (APA NJ Chapter), Michael Kolber, PP, AICP (BRS Inc.), Sam Opal, PP, AICP (Taylor Design Group), Simran Riar (NJ Department of Community Affairs), Sr. Pastor DaTonja "DT" Stanley (Harvest-Time Worship Center), Elizabeth Terenik, PP, AICP (Terenik Land Use LLC), Dr. Jody Veler (Salem City Mayor)
S T U D I O M E M B E R S
Team Members (from left): Nicole Abbott, Brendan Bermingham, Brandon Bollwark, Ada Elwell, Ladarion Hardison, Maheen Khan, Shreya Nalla, and Mercy Patrick
P H O T O S
Photos courtesy: Studio Members, Ethan Theurer, Dr. Meenar
