Vacant to Vibrant: Creating Successful Green Infrastructure Networks

by Sandra Albro

Vacant lots, so often seen as neighborhood blight, have the potential to be a key element of community revitalization. As manufacturing cities reinvent themselves after decades of lost jobs and population, abundant vacant land resources and interest in green infrastructure are expanding opportunities for community and environmental resilience. Vacant to Vibrant explains how inexpensive green infrastructure projects can reduce stormwater runoff and pollution, and provide neighborhood amenities, especially in areas with little or no access to existing green space.

Sandra Albro offers practical insights through her experience leading the five-year Vacant to Vibrant project, which piloted the creation of green infrastructure networks in Gary, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; and Buffalo, New York. Vacant to Vibrant provides a point of comparison among the three cities as they adapt old systems to new, green technology. An overview of the larger economic and social dynamics in play throughout the Rust Belt region establishes context for the promise of green infrastructure. Albro then offers lessons learned from the Vacant to Vibrant project, including planning, design, community engagement, implementation, and maintenance successes and challenges. An appendix shows designs and plans that can be adapted to small vacant lots.

Landscape architects and other professionals whose work involves urban greening will learn new approaches for creating infrastructure networks and facilitating more equitable access to green space.
 

Genres: Science

200 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2019

Reviews

[Anna Dirkse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thinking of creating a community rain garden? You need to read this book! Even if you aren't planning on implementing projects on the same scale as Ms. Albro's projects, her book clearly outlines what to think about - from managing community expectations to ensuring continuity between installation crews and maintenance crews. Having been responsible for maintaining community rain gardens in the past, her suggestions resonated with me and helpful tips such as linear plantings are essential to making sure that desirable plants are not inadvertently weeded out by overly enthusiastic volunteers. I highly recommend this book as a helpful guide for concrete on-the-ground planning for smaller projects or more conceptual thinking around new ways of managing stormwater on a city-wide scale.

[Ray Lister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for those interested in green infrastructure, including academics, landscape architects, and community activists.