Revitalising Vacant Lots

During week 7, representatives of the Baltimore Mayor's Office including Baltimore City's Chief Service Officer Vu Dang came by for a meeting at our studio to discuss potential ways that us Social Design students can work with StepUP! on their latest initiative "Power in Dirt".  Power in Dirt focuses on revitalising and rethinking vacant lots in the city (there are over 5,000 owned by the city and over 14,000 city wide).

I was amazed at their openness to provide resources to any person, organisation or group with a great idea to do something in neglected communities and revive the lots. Power in Dirt's goal is to improve physical and mental health, nutrition, increase property values and reduce crime by maintaining and caring for the physical surroundings.


I was also surprised by the simplicity of the whole process - bureaucracy free I'd say! Adopting a lot means the lot is yours for a year, and if you continue to work on this lot for 5 years, the city will likely give you the land after that time!