The Kansas City Land Bank has the funding to back up plans to begin transforming blighted, vacant lots into thriving groves of poplar trees.
Kynn Horsley updates the progress on a project in Kansas City to transform "weed-choked vacant inner city land into productive mini-forests of fast-growing trees."
Recently, the Kansas City Land Bank and Chicago-based Fresh Coast Capital announced "an initial $1 million investment for urban land revitalization projects in Kansas City, St. Louis and four other cities," reports Horsley.
The announcement also included details of the first planting in Kansas City, to be located "in the 1900 block of Montgall Avenue, on two acres of land that used to have houses but are now vacant." Horsley adds:
It’s been a dumping ground and is overgrown with brush and poor-quality trees that need to be removed. But it will make an excellent site, Mendez said, for the planting of about 1,000 hybrid poplar trees.
The article includes more details about the financial arrangement between the Kansas City Land Bank and Fresh Coast Capital as well as more information about the potential benefits of these projects for the environment and the people of Kansas City.
FULL STORY: Tree farm will sprout on blighted urban KC land

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie