Concentrated rehabilitation works better than scattered-site infill to revitalize Baltimore's struggling neighborhoods.
People's Homesteading Group, "a 20-year-old nonprofit that converts vacant houses into homes for low- and moderate-income families," recently launched a campaign to clean up a block of 22 abandoned houses in Baltimore. Like the city's government, the Group believes that "piecemeal rehab strategy [is] ineffective in helping turn around neighborhoods." They hope that the concentrated effort, in addition to raising funds for future rehabilitation, will "bring a stabilizing effect to the area," enlivening the neighborhood's appeal to potential homeowners. This project "is part of a larger effort called 'Anchors of Hope' in an approximately 20-square-block area that includes greening, a proposed small commercial development and spot rehabs of another dozen units."
Thanks to David Gest
FULL STORY: Rebuilding a city, a block at a time

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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.
Smith Gee Studio
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City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)