Green Stormwater Infrastructure on Vacant Lots

The benefits that urban green space provides to cities have been well documented. It reduces expenditures for vital services such as air filtration, stormwater management, and temperature regulation.1 Urban green space adds value to nearby properties, increases commerce, and reduces violent crime. It improves human health outcomes2 by reducing stress,3 encouraging exercise,4 and reducing illness and death from respiratory disease. The Vacant to Vibrant project was inspired to bring these benefits to areas where they could assist with neighborhood stabilization. We created a project to build urban green space on small vacant parcels in three post-industrial cities withthe goal of improving the environmental and social fabric of neighborhoods.