City Dynamics That Shape Vacant Land Use

Learning the history of a neighborhood and the series of events that led to its current state sheds light on what neighborhood residents need, want, fear, hope for, know, and do not yet understand. Additionally, the way that cities have developed, and the way parts of them were demolished, have shaped the location and form of vacant land. Historical context sheds light on the physical and social attributes of vacant lots that will affect the success of urban greening projects. Urban greening projects are deeply personal features of a community that touch many residents in some way—they bring people together, build health, and build wealth. For this reason, understanding a location’s history is a critical first step to developing reuse strategies for vacant lots by informing approaches to community engagement, project site selection, and design.