A third of Detroit's 139-square-miles now consists of weed-choked lots and deteriorating buildings.
"After decades of blight, large swathes of Detroit are being reclaimed by nature. Roughly a third of this 139-square-mile city consists of weed-choked lots and dilapidated buildings. Satellite images show an urban core giving way to an urban prairie. Rather than fight this return to nature, Mr. Weertz and other urban farmers have embraced it, gradually converting 15 acres of idle land into more than 40 community gardens and microfarms -- some consuming entire blocks... Urban farmers face a number of challenges, from finding water (renegades tap into fire hydrants...) to eliminating broken glass, concrete and unsavory contaminants like lead from the soil. Hayfields, mistaken for 'ghetto grass,' have been mowed down by the Department of Public Works just as they are ready to be cut and baled."
Thanks to Laura Kranz
FULL STORY: In the Capital of the Car, Nature Stakes a Claim

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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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie