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Bio
Gwen Wright was the former Director of the Montgomery County Planning Department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. She held that position from 2013 until October, 2022. In this role, Ms. Wright oversaw a wide range of projects that aim to improve the quality of life in Montgomery County by conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment. Montgomery County is one of the largest jurisdictions in Maryland with over 1 million residents and has a key role in the dynamic Washington D.C. metropolitan growth area. Ms. Wright also worked for the Montgomery County Planning Department from 1987 to 2008. During this period, she served as the Chief of Countywide Planning, including supervising the Environmental Planning, Transportation Planning and Historic Preservation Sections, as well as serving as Acting Planning Director.
Prior to her appointment as the Montgomery County Planning Director in 2013, Ms. Wright was Chief of the Development Division for the City of Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning for five years. In this position, she reviewed development proposals throughout the City of Alexandria and shepherded a wide variety of projects – from urban infill to major brownfields reclamation – through the regulatory process and implementation.
Ms. Wright began her career in Texas as the Director of Architectural Design and Redevelopment for the Galveston Historical Foundation in Galveston, Texas. She has degrees in Architecture and Architectural History from Yale University and has spoken at numerous national and regional conferences on a wide variety of planning issues.
Ms. Wright lives in the Cleveland Park neighborhood in Washington D.C., where she is co-chair of the Cleveland Park Historical Society Architectural Review Committee. She is a member of Lambda Alpha and a graduate of ULI Washington’s Regional Leadership Institute.
Show Notes
- Gwen’s Current Situation (00:05:45)
- Gwen discusses her consulting work, historic preservation projects, and involvement in conferences and classes at Georgetown University.
Origin Story & Education
- Gwen’s Origins and Youth (00:08:25)
- Gwen talks about her upbringing in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her early interest in architecture and historic preservation.
- Interest in Architecture and History (00:12:50)
- Gwen shares her early fascination with places and spaces, her interest in architectural history, and her experiences at Yale University.
- Architecture and Emotional Impact (00:18:00)
- Gwen delves into the psychological and emotional impact of great spaces and places, and the intersection of historic and new architecture.
Galveston Historical Foundation
- Transition to Preservation Work (00:24:30)
- Gwen discusses her transition from studying architecture to working in historic preservation, including her decision to work for the Galveston Historical Foundation.
- Galveston’s Transformation (00:28:10)
- Gwen describes Galveston’s history, including its response to the 1900 hurricane and the subsequent efforts to revitalize the city’s buildings and neighborhoods.
- The arrival in Galveston (00:31:00)
- Discussion about the community and medical training in Galveston, reviving the historical foundation, and events on the strand.
- Restoring an old ship (00:32:30)
- The restoration of an old tall masted ship, the impact on the waterfront, and the growth of the strand.
- Revitalizing residential neighborhoods (00:34:10)
- Efforts to revitalize residential neighborhoods, including demonstration houses and reinvestment projects.
- Adapting to a new culture (00:35:30)
- Gwen’s experiences in Galveston, including unique encounters and cultural differences.
Montgomery County, MD Historical Preservation and Planning
- Transition to Maryland (00:42:45)
- Gwen’s decision to move to Maryland, the job offer as a historic preservation planner, and her initial challenges.
- Lessons from historic preservation (00:49:15)
- Gwen’s reflections on the lessons learned from working in historic preservation and how they applied to her work in Maryland.
- Building alliances and collaboration (00:49:30)
- The importance of collaboration, building alliances, and thinking outside the box in the public sector, and the efforts to inspire staff.
- The importance of historic preservation (00:56:15)
- Gwen discusses the spiritual and philosophical aspects of preserving historic locations and their significance in creating a sense of place.
- Creating a community landmark (00:58:30)
- Gwen shares her experience and approach in integrating historic buildings into new communities to create a dynamic neighborhood.
- Character and soul of a place (01:03:00)
- The discussion revolves around the concept of character and soul in historic places and how they evoke emotional and psychological reactions in people.
- Learning from 19th-century suburbs (01:08:15)
- Gwen talks about the elements that made 19th-century suburbs successful and how those elements can be applied to creating 21st-century suburbs.
- Role of wedges and corridors in planning (01:14:10)
- The conversation delves into the original planning thesis of wedges and corridors and its evolution into a web of centers and boulevards in the 21st century.
- Structure of planning departments (01:22:00)
- John inquires about the structure and collaboration of planning departments in the county, particularly the unique bi-county commission, and its historical significance.
- Rural Counties Development (01:23:40)
- Gwen discusses the development and infrastructure challenges faced by rural counties in Maryland, including the creation of organizations and planning structures.
- County Planning and Government Relationships (01:26:00)
- Gwen explains the relationship between the planning and parks department and the county council, highlighting the challenges and differences in governance structures.
- Role of Planning Director (01:28:40)
- Gwen talks about her transition from the chief of countywide planning to the acting planning director, discussing the differences in responsibilities and the challenges faced during that time.
- Challenges in Clarksburg (01:29:00)
- The discussion revolves around the challenges faced in Clarksburg, including community complaints, construction issues, and the impact on the planning department.
- Learning Planning and Mentors (01:37:50)
- Gwen shares her learning process in planning, mentioning mentors and her approach to absorbing knowledge from various individuals.
Alexandria, VA
- Transition to Alexandria (01:42:30)
- Gwen discusses her transition to Alexandria, the projects she worked on, and the differences in bureaucratic processes compared to Montgomery County.
Becoming Montgomery County Planning Director
- Becoming Planning Director (01:45:30)
- Gwen shares the unexpected offer of becoming the planning director and the factors that led to her decision to apply for the position.
- Master Plans Implementation (01:47:30)
- Gwen reflects on the successful implementation of master plans in Montgomery County, emphasizing the importance of plans being actionable.
- Montgomery 2050 Initiative (01:49:00)
- The discussion shifts to the initiation and thought process behind the Montgomery 2050 initiative, exploring the overarching vision for the county’s future.
- The Vision for Montgomery County (01:51:45)
- Gwen discusses her vision for Montgomery County, emphasizing the need for high-quality design and development.
- Contrasting Bethesda and Silver Spring (01:53:45)
- Comparison of development approaches in Bethesda and Silver Spring, highlighting the importance of high-quality design and unique architectural styles.
- Success and Challenges of Silver Spring (01:56:30)
- Gwen reflects on the success and challenges of Silver Spring’s development, emphasizing its transformation and the impact of urbanization.
- Housing Challenges and Solutions (02:04:15)
- Gwen discusses the housing challenges in Montgomery County and the need for diverse solutions, including moderately priced dwelling units and innovative projects like accessory dwelling units.
- Regional Planning and Infrastructure (02:12:20)
- Gwen addresses the challenges of regional planning, emphasizing the importance of focusing on regional issues such as infrastructure and housing.
- Housing and Regional Issues (02:14:40)
- Discussion about housing needs, regional discussions, and the challenges of allocating density among jurisdictions.
- Placemaking Initiatives (02:17:40)
- Description of the placemaking initiative in Montgomery County, focusing on creating events, artwork, and festivals to bring communities together.
- Creating Community Spaces (02:19:20)
- Importance of creating public spaces, civic institutions, and community events to bring people together, especially in the post-pandemic era.
- Public and Private Sector Collaboration (02:22:50)
- Discussion about the collaboration between the private sector developers and public sector planners in creating a great built environment and communities.
Challenges as a Female Leader and Personal Reflections
- Challenges and Success as a Female Leader (02:25:15)
- Gwen’s experiences and strategies as a female leader, including stories of overcoming challenges and asserting herself in the workplace.
- Wins, Losses, and Surprising Events in Career (02:29:50)
- Reflection on the biggest wins, losses, and surprising events in Gwen’s career, including her perspective on her legacy and unexpected departure from her position.
- Life Priorities and Giving Back (02:39:30)
- Gwen’s priorities among family, work, and giving back to the community, including her involvement in boards and commissions.
- Advice to Younger Self and Billboard Statement (02:41:15)
- Gwen’s advice to her younger self and the statement she would post on a billboard, emphasizing the importance of place, community, collaboration, and excellence.
