Urban Gardening and Quality of Life

According to this article, community gardens can reinvent struggling neighborhoods by causing its residents to "band together."

1 minute read

April 16, 2009, 11:00 AM PDT

By Judy Chang


"'You can change from looking at unemployment and looking at what people don't have to looking at what people have. When you show people growing their own food, everyone eats,' Rhodes said. 'When you go in and you see green-you see flowers, you see gardens-it changes a whole community.'

Chicago has about 15,000 city-owned parcels, most of which are vacant, said Molly Sullivan, director of communications for the Department of Community Development. With much of the land zoned residential, gardens might be a possible use, she said.

'We would think the concept of an urban garden on these residential lots would be fine. What is most important is you have to make sure people can care for the land if it's given to them,' Sullivan said.

The city would like to see any gardens tailored to the needs of individual communities, she said. 'Some want a landscaped English garden or a community vegetable garden,' she said.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 in Chicago Tribune

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

White three-story brick single-room occupancy hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California.

‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis

SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.

March 22, 2024 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

44 minutes ago - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

1 hour ago - CBS News

Red public transit bus in Bangalore, India.

Indian States Give Women Free Bus Passes

The programs are part of an initiative aimed at helping more women join the workforce and improving access to basic needs.

2 hours ago - Next City

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.