If you take Septa’s R7 line into Center City Philadelphia, it is impossible not to reflect on what you see when peering outside of your window. For me, the overriding feeling always comes back to the same thing: Why is that neighborhood so blighted? What is the root cause of it and why has our beloved city, with all its riches and resources, allowed its own neighborhoods to fall into disrepair?

For a period of time in early 2007, I would routinely take that rail line into Center City to meet with other environmental activists. We would gather to discuss project ideas we could embark on to tackle Philadelphia’s toughest environmental issues. Beyond the initial high we had of wanting to collectively solve a problem, we struggled to zero in on a project that would have any realistic impact. At the peak of our frustrations, we learned of the Next Great City and their concise agenda to hold the city’s government accountable to some very sensible, yet powerful environmental actions. Within this framework, we were able to understand and distill a concrete project idea dealing with Philadelphia’s vacant lot challenge.

The Next Great City has become an enormous asset for environmental activists in Philadelphia. In steady fashion they have constructed a network of the area’s most important non-profit organizations, systematically built consensus to offer an action agenda for the city, and forced meaningful debate among Mayoral candidates.

One of the untold stories behind Philadelphia’s vacant lot challenge is the great work of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Philadelphia Green program, a key ingredient to Next Great City’s vacant lot agenda and overall success. They have produced a template approach for ordinary citizens to become active in reclaiming Philadelphia’s blighted areas. This template approach aims at converting blighted lots into attractive and useable green space at a low cost.

Today, I am happy to report of my involvement in a major vacant lot reclamation project in the Tioga section of Philadelphia. Thus far, we have had numerous efforts to clear and clean a heavily blighted lot that was a magnet for crime and pest infestation and, moreover, had demoralized a community. True to form, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society provided solid guidance. The city has stepped up to provide the use of heavy equipment and supplies. A local civic group welcomed us in and helped navigate the community needs. With continued perseverance, we will create a resource for the community that includes gardens and relaxation for a long, long time.

Things can look brighter outside Septa’s R7 window. The Next Great City believes it. I believe it. Do you?