The Hilltop Urban Farm project is moving along in Pittsburgh. Few, if any, community gardens have been built on this scale before.
"For urban gardens and farms to sustain themselves, they have to be big enough for people to make money from them," reports Diana Nelson Jones. "The one being carved out on 23 vacant acres of the former St. Clair Village has that kind of massing."
St. Clair Village is the former site of a public housing project, demolished between 2006 and 20210. The idea for using the site as a community garden was born from a neighborhood organization called Hilltop Alliance, which draws membership from St. Clair and 11 other nearby neighborhoods.
So far, the Hilltop Urban Farm, as the new garden is called, has gathered about half of the $10 million it needs to get up and running. That much money has already garnered a ribbon cutting ceremony.
In addition to introducing the details of the Hilltop Urban Farm idea, Diana Nelson Jones places the project in context of a model for neighborhoods and cities growing in popularity around the country.
FULL STORY: Pittsburgh's serious commitment to urban farming: St. Clair Village
The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall
The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.
Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities
The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.
‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis
SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.
Milwaukee Residents Challenge Freeway Expansion
Residents are voicing opposition to a planned expansion of Interstate 94, arguing that the project would eliminate the limited green space in the neighborhood.
New York Congestion Pricing Approved by MTA Board
The program took another step forward as the board approved a proposed pricing scheme, but lawsuits still stand in the way of full implementation.
Video: Making Transit Better
How trackless trams and other innovations can make U.S. transit more efficient.
City of Yakima
City of Auburn
Baylands Development Inc.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
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.