Before a community can take a comprehensive approach to vacant land, it needs to know the comprehensive picture. Historical and current context of the place should inform what next steps are appropriate, or even feasible. Current data, in a format that can be compared with other data sources, is critical to understanding context, including property tax assessment, real estate sales, zoning, demographic, and municipal priorities. In particular, an up-to-date parcel inventory is critical to determining the scope, scale, and conditions of the vacant properties in a community. In addition to a foundation of data-rich information, understanding who (individuals, organizations, city departments, etc.) is already engaged in vacant land work is pivotal to starting and sustaining vacant land stewardship. By understanding what lots you have, who owns them, where they are located, and who is already furthering vacant land efforts, you can begin to connect around what is currently possible and what could be.
Next Step Assessment Questions
Featured Example
This mapping tool is designed to help prioritize the vacant lots that can have the most environmental and health benefits for urban communities. The tool provides parcel specific information and important contextual information like if it is in a flood plain or owned by the land bank, allowing neighbors to make decisions which lots to work on, identify partners to work with, understand how to care for the land, and environmental benefits that the restored land could provide their community.
