This article critiques strategies for reclaiming vacant and abandoned property. Moreover, it stresses the need for different levels of government and community organizations to become involved in the process rather than relying solely on the unpredictable market to rectify the problem. It is through this lens, that the author offers examples of strategies that various cities have used to address this problem and outlines some of the issues that must be overcome when implementing these strategies. As such, the article is a good starting point for those beginning to think …

A few months ago the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Department of Policy Development and Research issued a report on the ways in which land banks can revitalize foreclosed properties. Land banks are an effective tool that cities with large percentages of vacant properties can use to effectively manage their vacant properties and turn those properties into something that will benefit their cities as opposed to objects that create blight. The article gives a basic overview of how land banks operates and then provides detailed overviews of the …

At the June 2006 U.S. Conference of Mayors, The U.S. Conference of Mayors Task Force on Vacant and Abandoned Properties issued a report that highlighted the “best practices” of 27 cities. The cities featured range from the obvious (cities like Trenton, NJ and Baltimore, MD) to cities that are generally associated with strong economies (cities like Dallas, TX and Chicago, IL). The diversity among these cities demonstrates the resonance that the problem of vacant and abandoned properties pose for communities across the country. The importance of a report of this …

According to a report issued by Smart Growth Ohio, vacant properties in Lima, OH cost the city $1,855,038 in 2006. This amount was determined by examining the cost vacant and abandoned properties caused the city in services and forgone property tax collection. The report conveys the toll vacant properties take on cities and their tax paying citizens. For a visual representation of Lima’s problem, pay special attention to the map identifying vacant and abandoned properties on page 9. Read the full report about this Ohio city that has a story …

This report outlines the plight of older industrial cities, the importance of reviving these cities, and possible means of restoring these cities. Although, the focus of the study was primarily focused on what can be done at the state level to help these cities, many of the basic principles can be translated to any attempt to restore these cities. Furthermore, some of the solutions the author presents are projects that could potentially be funded by CRSI. Although lengthy, this article–published by the Brookings Institute–offers valuable insight into the problems older …

Historian and journalist Catherine Tumber explores the plight of older industrial cities and how they can reinvent themselves to create a more sustainable future. Read the full article here.

This is a valuable article for anyone who lives in a shrinking city. The authors examine different approaches to scaling back infrastructure and list potential benefits and potential difficulties with each approach. It provides valuable insight into the challenges shrinking cities face in regards to having a larger infrastructure than necessary and, thereby, an infrastructure that costs more than they can afford. Stimulating material for anyone who is contemplating his/her city’s future. Read the full article here.

This article presents an outline of the research a fellow did at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. The research focused on how European countries have reused industrial structures. Read more here.