This book offers policy ideas and asks questions regarding underutilized urban land. Although it was published in 2004, it is entirely valid today. The editors, Rosalind Greenstein and Yesim Sungu-Eryilmaz, wrote this as a publication of a Cambridge, Massachusetts think tank called The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, which has existed since 1946. The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy currently lists as its goals: Low-carbon, climate-resilient communities and regions, Efficient and equitable tax systems, Reduced poverty and spatial inequality, Fiscally healthy communities and regions, Sustainably managed land and water resources and Functional land markets and reduced informality (Wikipedia, 2023). This large, oversized paperback with full colour photos is divided into three parts, and each one of these sections has three to five articles by contributors under their topic.
Part One, The Vacant Land Phenomenon, encourages readers to see vacant land as opportunity and challenge. This creates an optimistic tone that is an excellent lead-in for the rest of the book. The section defines Vacant land, and asks why such land is found abandoned in cities. It raises several questions. Why do these underutilized urban spaces appear in city landscapes? Why do they remain unused for long stretches of time, despite an obvious need for their deployment as gardens and community spaces?
Leading into Part two, The Vacant Land and Brownfield Redevelopment process, the book discusses the assessment tools required to determine if an unused parcel has a history of being contaminated, always a first step before redevelopment can get underway. We learn that there are considered to be at least three classes of brownfield sites involved in assessments, at least in American cities. In my own internet search, other environmental assessments seem to have six or more Tiers, but the Tier system is always an important assessment feature. This is also perhaps a window into the problem of the gentrification process, as the Tier process seemed very linked to the salability potential of any land. As found in this (American) book, Tier One abandoned sites, regardless of their location or the better purpose a community may see for them, are sites designated as the most attractive to the private sector. Tier Two sites are those classified as below the threshold for development viability. Typical Tier Two sites seem to include spaces such as waterfront sites in cities with low economic prospects, defined as Tier Two when they have some risk of contamination, and so will require work to bring them into a marketable category.
This process is also clearly outlined at the website https://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/articles/overcoming-obstacles-brownfield-vacant-land-redevelopment, which is produced by the same Lincoln Institute of Land Policy that published this book and so has consistent information in both places. Sites with a Tier Three status are sites that require considerably more effort and investment as they have a proven contamination issue that is not easily resolved. Once sites are assessed and are redeveloped, Innovative uses for Vacant Land as described in Part Three, can really take on a life of their own. Innovative uses for Vacant Land can include community playgrounds as well as community gardens, fruit tree orchards, gathering spaces, spaces for theatre, workshops, concerts and other performances, Tiny Forest sites, and many more. Greenhouses, small outdoor cinemas and outdoor galleries also can be included here.
I found this book fun and useful. It has action in mind, and it’s difficult to read it and not feel like the expertise accrued must be put to good uses. I hope this book stays in print, as the 2004 publication date only shows it has been a well-spring of knowledge for several decades of vacant lot repurposing, and is in fact, a bit of a hidden classic.
Sungu-Eryilmaz, Y., & Greenstein, R. (2004). Recycling the city: The use and reuse of urban land. Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
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