Philadelphians instinctively know, and research shows, that a well cared for lot is better for communities than a neglected one. That's why Next Great City identified cleaning and greening vacant lots as one of our ten action recommendations for the city.  And Philadelphia residents and business owners agree.

Next Great City coalition partner, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), is a national leader in vacant land stabilization.

PHS's vacant land program has cleaned and greened thousands of vacant parcels in Philadelphia, creating well-managed open space for communities to enjoy and attracting private investment. But now, because of a significantly reduced city budget, $840,000 in funding for PHS's vacant land program, which supports community revitalization and employs more than 300 people in full- and part-time green jobs, has been cut.

While these are difficult times, cutting funding to this program will hurt neighborhoods and remove a vital tool for economic development.

Greenworks nods to Next Great City Recommendation

Greenworks nods to Next Great City Vacant Lot action by recommending using  vacant City-owned land for urban agriculture and community gardens and reduce blight.

GreenPlan

In the Spring of 2006, GreenPlan Philadelphia was created by 13 city agencies with the goal of sustaining, creating and improving open space in Philadelphia.  You can read more about the process and mission here.

Next Great City will be reviewing the findings in GreenPlan and using it to find areas of Philadelphia where open space is needed and to connect those needs with available vacant lots.