Environmental Hazards: Close-to-Home Posted on March 5, 2019 by Masoud Sayles The snow is already beginning to melt, and we can see the first spikes of spring ephemerals like snowdrops and crocus poking through the snow. Having spent the short days of winter cooped up indoors, many people are pleased to feel the days getting perceptibly longer. As we cross the thresholds of our respective houses out into this warming world, we transition between two very distinct sorts of environments: one familiar, consistent, and controlled, the other unpredictable, varied, and sometimes…Read More
Democratic Vacant Land Processes Posted on February 21, 2019 by wpengine In its utopic form, democracy is facilitated through widely dispersed power. Widely dispersed power allows for the fair and equitable negotiation of sometimes conflicting interests. Through negotiation, people are able to find positions of true (rather than coerced) compromise. This form of democracy is only possible through community organizing and engagement. The combination of organizing and engagement is instrumental to democracy’s foundational need for fair and equitable representation. Through our Hill District program, Reclaim Central 2.0, we are attempting to…Read More
ReClaim Central 2.0: Update Posted on February 11, 2019 by wpengine In the winter of 2016-17, Grounded recruited a dozen Central Hill District residents, called Ambassadors, to lead the movement for reclaiming vacant lots. In the spring of 2017, the Ambassadors began work on vacant lots around the Hill District and in total created 5 new community spaces for residents to utilize. Fast forward to fall 2018, after a year of engaging residents on the sites and gathering input about if the spaces were welcomed and accepted we were asked to come…Read More
The Bigger Picture Posted on February 1, 2019 by wpengine A lot has been said and studied about the economics of vacant land and there is certainly more to say and study. When it comes to the economics of vacant land, it is best described as a negative externality, which if remains unmaintained creates a substantial social cost to its surroundings. There are obvious financial damages to our local institutions and subsequently the public as consumers of those public services. And there are far less measurable, but obvious impacts on…Read More
Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Posted on January 25, 2019 by wpengine Today's acts of discriminatory practices have taken place on American soil in the past, in present-day form, and acts of unfair treatment will more than likely persist in the future. To prevent such wrongs Government and other elected officials voted on two Bills. These Bills were enacted as The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Environmental Justice Act of 2017. In yesterday’s history, (July 2, 1964) Civil Rights Act of 1964 was first introduced by President John F Kennedy; succeeding…Read More
A Story of Vacant Land (Part 2): The Evolution Posted on January 10, 2019 by wpengine Have you ever wondered why or how the vacant lot next to your home got there? Obviously, a series of events had to happen to create that neglected space. Vacancy didn’t show up overnight. A combination of macro forces and micro decisions, each of which is interrelated led to what you see in so many of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods today. With over 27,000 vacant lots in the City of Pittsburgh, something has happened at a massive scale. Understanding the history and…Read More
Opportunities on Vacant Land in Winter Posted on December 12, 2018 by Masoud Sayles As the leaves fall and the wind blows, many of us choose to retreat into the warmth of our homes. However, as winter approaches, there are still many opportunities for you to get outside and show some care for vacant land within your community. In early to mid-fall, it's a wonderful time to plant perennials on a vacant parcel. This can be as involved as planting balled-and-burlapped trees, or as simple as scattering a few of your favorite perennial plant…Read More
Vacant Lot Remediation and Crime Reduction Posted on November 30, 2018 by wpengine Gun violence in the United States is higher than in any other developed nation and the majority of fatal violence committed in the United States involves firearms. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 100,000 people die from gun-related violence in the U.S. every year. A study published by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University shows that remediating vacant lots can dramatically affect both perceptions of crime and vandalism, and the acts themselves. Neighborhoods where vacant…Read More
Neighborhood greenspace leads to greater spatial working memory among children Posted on November 16, 2018 by wpengine We all know that spending time in greenspace is healthy for humans. We have all experienced that joy of going to a local park or strolling past a recently cleaned up lot that used to be blighted and vacant. But what exactly is it about neighborhood greenspace that affects the human brain in such an impactful way? Well, researchers in England sought to answer this question in a recent study and their conclusions are quite interesting. The study focused on…Read More
A Story of Vacant Land (Part 1): Costs & Benefits Posted on November 12, 2018 by wpengine Numbers don’t lie. Well, if we are being honest, they sometimes do. As community leaders, advocates, and policy analysts, it’s our job to think critically about data. In short, numbers mean something, which is why it’s so important to contextualize them. They represent real people associated with real costs. When analyzing costs and benefits, nothing is more important than humanizing the numbers. Let’s consider some of the numbers and truths with regards to vacant lot maintenance. In Allegheny County, 67.3%…Read More
Green Space Really Does Improve Mental Health Posted on November 9, 2018 by wpengine A new study published in July is one of the first substantial pieces of research that directly links "greening" vacant and blighted lots to improved mental health and reduced depressive symptoms. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 16 million adults in the United States - 6.7% of the population - reported having at least one major depressive episode in the past year. While we at Grounded Strategies understand the positive connections between "greening" vacant lots and…Read More
Greenspaces Foster Resilience and Combat Climate Change Posted on November 2, 2018 by wpengine Grounded Strategies is committed to the sustainable development of greenspaces in Pittsburgh neighborhoods. With the input and help of community partners and members, we work hard to ensure that our projects are community-led and foster neighborhood coalition. We believe that greenspaces foster community resilience by facilitating the strengthening of social connections, reducing stress, restoring cognition, and being physically active. Not only do greenspaces benefit individuals and the community, they also benefit the environment and, according to writer Jared Green, act…Read More