The test case: What would you do with this empty lot?

Vacant lots plague many of our cities and the current economic realities threaten to increase this urban challenge. But what if vacancy was recast as an opportunity instead of a problem? This is the premise behind the Baltimore Infill Survey. Read more…

An aerial view of a row house block in Baltimore plagued by the “broken tooth syndrome:” Lots of vacant land where housing once stood.

In last week’s New Yorker, writer Nick Paumgarten pointed out the damaging effects of the economic downturn on the urban landscape. “Putting aside the long-discussed public projects that are endangered or doomed… dozens of private undertakings have stalled or died. The calls go out to the architects: pencils down.” Read more…