Trent Schermer,
Elevated Chicago Vacant Land Research Internship,
During the fellowship, I researched how other cities have successfully redeveloped vacant land in an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable way. Specifically, I worked with Elevated Chicago to provide valuable insights, identify potential challenges, and contribute to a broader understanding of sustainable development impacts and policies. My project goals for the fellowship included the following:
· Conducting a thorough review of existing literature on sustainable development and vacant land redevelopment in urban areas.
· Analyzing case studies from other cities to identify best practices, potential challenges, and successful outcomes.
· Worked with Chicago “Connected Community Ordinance” and prepared GIS maps to show Chicago traffic incident data.
Often, two visions come to mind when considering urban landscapes. The first one most likely embodies an idyllic image of skyscrapers - shiny glass, steel, and concrete behemoths standing at attention along meticulously maintained corridors. Representing modernity, power, and prestige, they add value to the areas where they are located, thereby limiting who can afford to live or work in their auspicious environs. Over time, more and more of these high-rise structures are added to accommodate urban growth, reflective of a society’s economic, technological, and societal advancements. While skyscrapers may represent the benefits of urbanization, the second vision, one of vacant lots, represents its challenges.
In post-industrial America, vacant lots are sprinkled across urban landscapes, with higher concentrations commonly symbolizing an area’s downhill slide from growth and prosperity. Vacant lots contribute to blight, which compromises a community’s aesthetics. However, overgrown weeds and debris signify more than just superficial blemishes. From an economic perspective, blight decreases property values, perpetuating a residential, commercial, and municipal disinvestment cycle. As properties are vacated, less tax revenue is generated, equating to inadequate maintenance and dilapidated infrastructure. Consequently, environmental issues may arise, such as erosion, pollution, and reduced biodiversity. Nevertheless, the most troubling aspect of vacant lots is their propensity to impact residents’ health and safety adversely.
In areas with abundant vacant lots, overall physical and mental health is impacted in several ways. For example, studies indicate that people living near vacant lots are at an increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. In addition, if the land is contaminated with pollutants, then residents can be exposed to hazardous chemicals and other toxins that can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. Likewise, vacant lots can cause injuries and illnesses, especially among children, if broken glass, sharp metal, or disease-ridden pests are present. Lastly, vacant lots may discourage physical activity, such as walking or biking, which can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, increasing the risk of obesity and other ailments.
Furthermore, sociologists note that an absence of property upkeep may incite criminal activity, commonly called the “broken window theory.” In other words, physical disorder suggests a lack of concern among residents. Even though the situation may result from a lack of empowerment, ability, or other limiting factor beyond the residents’ control, this apparent indifference encourages criminals to search for a setting to host illicit activities like drug dealing or illegal dumping. Thus, residents may become collateral damage when criminal activity goes awry. Living amid such overt threats manifests differently among individuals. Most notably, fearful residents endure stress and isolation. As more and more residents withdraw, it heightens the social collapse already underway in marginalized communities.
Traffic Safety Analysis
The Connected Communities Ordinance points out that traffic safety is critical, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals with mobility needs. By prioritizing pedestrian safety measures, the ordinance aims to create safer streets and sidewalks near transit areas, improving overall traffic safety.
Requires new developments near rail stations to prioritize pedestrian safety. This includes implementing measures such as creating further curb cuts and driveways, which can enhance accessibility and reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles. Traffic calming measures may be introduced to reduce vehicle speeds, making the surrounding areas safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Acknowledges the areas where traffic safety issues are more pronounced, particularly on Chicago's South and West sides. To ensure effective safety interventions, the ordinance incorporates data analysis of traffic crashes and fatalities within a half-mile of rail stations. This analysis helps identify high-risk locations and understand the factors contributing to crashes and deaths.
Sources for potential mapping:
Fatal https://data.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/Traffic-Crashes-Vision-Zero-Chicago-Traffic-Fatali/gzaz-isa6
All reported crashes https://data.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/Traffic-Crashes-Crashes/85ca-t3if
The data analysis also plays a crucial role in driving the development of targeted safety measures. By understanding the patterns and trends associated with traffic crashes, the ordinance can guide the implementation of interventions that address specific challenges in those areas. This involves improving street lighting, enhancing crosswalks and intersections, introducing traffic signal improvements, or implementing traffic enforcement measures to promote safer behaviors.
By integrating pedestrian safety measures and data-driven insights on traffic crashes, the CCO aims to create safer and more accessible environments near transit areas in Chicago. The ordinance improves traffic safety, protects vulnerable road users, and fosters a transportation system that prioritizes the well-being of all residents.
To whoever picks up working with the traffic fatality and incident data in Chicago, you could enhance the findings and interpret the maps in several ways. Here are my suggestions:
1. Time analysis: Analyze the data to identify trends or patterns in fatalities. This could reveal if there are any specific periods with higher or lower fatality rates.
2. Spatial analysis: Conduct spatial analysis to identify hotspots or clusters of fatalities in Chicago to prioritize interventions or improvements in those specific locations.
3. Demographic analysis: Analyze the demographic characteristics of the victims, such as age, gender, or ethnicity. This will show which groups are most vulnerable to accidents and help tailor safety campaigns or infrastructure improvements to target those populations.
4. Comparison with infrastructure: Overlay the fatalities and incident data with existing infrastructure data, such as bike lanes, crosswalks, or traffic signals. Identifying areas with high fatality rates but inadequate infrastructure could guide future investment.
5. Risk factors analysis: Identify potential factors contributing to fatalities. Factors such as vehicle speed, road types, proximity to schools or high-traffic areas, or alcohol-related incidents can be analyzed to understand the underlying causes. This can inform policy decisions, targeted enforcement, or education campaigns.
Chicago Policy About Vacant Land
Article: City of Chicago https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2022/november/2000VacantLotsAvailablePrivatePurchase.html.
The city made 2,000 private lots available for purchase in 2022
Website: City of Chicago: Large Lots Program https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/large-lot-program.html
The Large Lot Program was a City of Chicago neighborhood stabilization initiative to help property owners, block clubs, and non-profit groups in select Chicago neighborhoods to purchase City-owned land for $1 per parcel.
Article: Preserving Chicago's minority middle neighborhoods - Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/profitwise-news-and-views/2020/preserving-chicagos-minority-middle-neighborhoods
Other Cities Policy About Vacant Land
Website: New York Land Bank Association https://nylandbanks.org/
The New York State Land Bank Program aims to reduce blight and vacancy by acquiring and repurposing tax-foreclosed properties.
The program was created in 2011 as part of the New York State Attorney General's Office's efforts to address the foreclosure crisis and promote community revitalization.
Local governments can apply to create independent land banks and non-profit entities that can acquire and manage tax-foreclosed properties.
Land banks can also demolish blighted structures, remediate environmental hazards, and repurpose properties for various uses.
The New York State Land Bank Program provides funding and technical assistance to support land bank operations and legal tools to expedite property acquisitions and transfers.
Twenty-six land banks are operating in New York State, with more than 10,000 properties acquired and over 4,000 properties repurposed.
The program has been cited as a model for other states and municipalities looking to address blight and vacancy through land banking.
Website: City of Philadelphia Vacant Lot Program https://www.phila.gov/programs/vacant-lot-program/
Philadelphia's Land Bank acquires, manages, and sells publicly owned vacant land.
They have 40,000 vacant lots, with 74 percent privately owned.
About 753 parcels are used as community gardens and urban farms to promote health and well-being.
2012 revised zoning codes were implemented to support urban agricultural initiatives, such as farmers' markets.
DesignPhiladelphia allows artists to transform the spaces, making them a "physical destination or a visually stimulating product that adds to the city's life."
Website: Detroit's" Working with Lots" https://detroitfuturecity.com/whatwedo/land-use/DFC-lots/
Led by Detroit's Future City Implementation Office, the city provides technical and financial assistance to residents, community organizations, and businesses interested in turning vacant lots into gardens, parks, developments, or other community spaces.
The city has a user-friendly website that provides step-by-step guidance to people seeking to reuse a vacant lot.
The program offers grants that can be applied to project costs.
Website: Baltimore's "Vacants to Value" vacant lot program and Baltimore Green Network Sustainability Initiative https://marylandmortgageinfo.com/baltimore-city-vacants-to-value/
https://www.baltimoresustainability.org/projects/baltimore-green-network/
It aims to reduce blight and create more affordable housing.
It streamlines acquiring and redeveloping vacant properties, turning them into productive community assets.
The program is part of Baltimore's broader strategy to revitalize distressed neighborhoods and improve residents' quality of life.
Baltimore has additional programs to stabilize distressed neighborhoods while attracting new development. For example, the Baltimore Green Network has several goals: reuse vacant land into green neighborhoods, stabilize and hold land for redevelopment, grow food, create community spaces, and reduce stormwater runoff, to name a few.
Additional initiatives to address vacant lots and sustainability goals include Baltimore's Adopt-a-Lot program, Side Yard program, Green Space, Tree Trust, BMORE Beautiful, TreeBaltimore, and Chesapeake Bay Trust.
Website: The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) https://www.noraworks.org/
Website: Mow to Own https://www.southernliving.com/travel/louisiana/new-orleans-blighted-property-mow-to-own-program#:~:text=The%20city%20of%20New%20Orleans%27%20plan%20to%20deal,the%20goal%20of%20purchasing%20them%20down%20the%20line
NORA works with developers, community organizations, and residents to transform vacant lots into productive uses.
Several programs, such as the "Mow to Own" program, allows residents to purchase adjacent vacant lots for a nominal fee and a commitment to maintaining the property.
The Greenway Exchange program supports the development of bike and pedestrian paths on vacant land. The Lafitte Greenway, similar to "The 606" in Chicago, is a multi-modal transportation corridor that capitalizes on the land surrounding an old industrial rail corridor while addressing flood patterns.
NORA offers incentives, like tax credits and low-interest loans, to encourage affordable housing development, commercial projects, and community gardens.
The number of lots owned by the city increased drastically following Hurricane Katrina. NOLA is addressing its flooding problems with "infrastructure lots" that can accommodate exorbitant stormwater runoff
Website: Amsterdam’s approach
https://www.amsterdam.nl/kunst-cultuur/ateliers-broedplaatsen/over-broedplaatsen/
https://dakdorpen.nl/english
https://www.pps.org/article/what-is-placemaking#:~:text=For%20us%2C%20placemaking%20is%20both%20a%20process%20and,space%20and%20for%20their%20community%20as%20a%20whole
Amsterdam's approach to dealing with vacant lots emphasizes temporary and flexible uses to heighten community engagement and promote sustainability. Making these empty swaths of land attractive, dynamic, and accessible enhances the city's livability and residents' overall quality of life.
For example, vacant lots are often used for temporary purposes, such as "Placemaking." Individuals and organizations can apply for a permit to operate a vacant lot for up to two years. Placemaking is a community-driven collective reimagining of public spaces aimed at "strengthening the connection between people and the places they share."
Likewise, abandoned buildings and lots can be transformed into "Broedplaatsen" or breeding grounds for artists, designers, and other creative professionals. Subsidies are available to set up the breeding grounds, and the city offers interested parties a step-by-step guide on planning to develop a creative space.
Other programs include transforming industrial areas into mixed-use neighborhoods, affordable housing, community-managed forests, rooftop gardens, and other green spaces.
Vacant Land Impact on Public Health
Article: Effects of vacant lots on human health: A systematic review of the evidence
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.104020
Vacant lots can adversely affect human health outcomes, including mental health, physical activity, and social cohesion.
Vacant lots may increase the risk of crime and violence in surrounding neighborhoods.
Vacant lots can contribute to environmental hazards such as pollution and exposure to toxic substances.
Interventions to address vacant land, such as community greening initiatives, can positively affect mental health, physical activity, and social cohesion.
More research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the relationship between vacant land and human health outcomes and to develop effective interventions.
Article: More Than Just An Eyesore: Local Insights And Solutions on Vacant Land And Urban Health
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-012-9782-7
Vacant land can negatively impact the health and well-being of urban residents, leading to issues such as crime, blight, and reduced property values.
Vacant land can also contribute to environmental hazards such as pollution and exposure to toxic substances.
Highlights several community-led initiatives to address vacant land, such as transforming vacant lots into green spaces or community gardens.
Interventions can positively impact mental health, physical activity, and social cohesion and improve the physical environment.
Emphasizes the importance of collaboration between residents, policymakers, and public health practitioners in addressing vacant land as a public health issue.
Notes the need for further research to understand the long-term impacts of interventions to address vacant land on community health and well-being.
Article: Can restoring vacant lots help reduce crime? An examination of a program in Baltimore, MD
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127630
Examines a program in Baltimore, MD, that aimed to reduce crime by restoring vacant lots in the city.
They are involved in cleaning and greening vacant lots and installing fencing and other physical barriers to deter illegal dumping and other criminal activities.
Restoring vacant lots significantly reduced overall crime and violent crime in the surrounding area.
Restoring vacant lots can improve community perceptions of safety and help build social cohesion.
Highlights the potential for restoring vacant lots as a low-cost, high-impact strategy for addressing crime in urban areas.
Note the need for further research to understand the mechanisms underlying the relationship between vacant land and crime reduction and the long-term sustainability of these interventions.
Article: "Transferring Vacant Lots to Private Ownership Improves Care and Empowers Residents: Evidence from Chicago" Authors: Rachel Weber and Antonio Avalos https://doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2021.1891126
Published in: Journal of the American Planning Association, 2015
Analyzes the impact of the Large Lots program in Chicago, which allows residents to purchase adjacent vacant lots for a nominal fee of $1
The program encourages residents to take ownership of vacant lots and improve their care and maintenance.
Found that the program led to a significant increase in the care and maintenance of vacant lots, as well as an increase in social cohesion and community empowerment
Residents who purchased adjacent vacant lots were more likely to invest time and resources into improving the lot and collaborate with neighbors and community organizations to maintain and improve the lots.
The program had positive spillover effects on neighboring vacant lots that were not part of the program.
Overall, the authors argue that programs like the Large Lots program can effectively empower residents and improve the care and maintenance of vacant lots.
Article:" The Effects of Exposure to Better Neighborhoods on Children: New Evidence from the Moving to Opportunity Experiment" Authors: Raj Chetty, Nathaniel Hendren, and Lawrence F. Katz http://www.nber.org/papers/w21156
Published in: American Economic Review, 2016
Analyzes the impact of the Moving to Opportunity (MTO) experiment on children's outcomes
MTO experiment was a randomized housing mobility program that aimed to move families from high-poverty neighborhoods to low-poverty neighborhoods
The study focused on the MTO program's impact on children 13 to 20 years old when their families were randomized to treatment or control groups.
Found that exposure to lower-poverty neighborhoods had significant positive effects on children's long-term outcomes, including higher earnings, increased college attendance, and reduced likelihood of single parenthood
Effects were most prominent for boys, African Americans, and those who moved before age 13
Impacts were driven in part by improvements in school quality and neighborhood safety.
Found no significant adverse effects of moving to lower-poverty neighborhoods on adults' outcomes, including earnings and employment
Overall, the authors argue that the findings provide strong evidence that neighborhood environments have a causal impact on children's long-term outcomes and that policies to improve neighborhood quality can significantly positively affect children's life chances.