Philadelphia is Transforming Vacant Lots into Climate-Resilient Pollinator Gardens

Vacant lots make up nearly 17 percent of land in U.S. cities. A
history of disinvestment has contributed to a significant overlap
between neighborhoods with the highest concentration of vacant
lots and those most threatened by the impacts of climate change.


In Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) and
the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) teamed up to solve this
multipronged issue — one involving urban blight, community
health, and a climate that's becoming hotter and wetter. Building
on the Philadelphia LandCare program, their joint pilot project
transforms vacant lots into climate-resilient pollinator gardens,
using plants that are native to the region and thus better able
to adapt to changing conditions. Philadelphia residents in two
neighborhoods now enjoy access to nature much closer to home. The
development of this green infrastructure is also opening economic
doors for community members by providing skills training and
creating jobs.


In this episode of the APA Podcast, planning and community health
manager Sagar Shah speaks with two people close to the project:
Jen Mihills, executive director of Mid-Atlantic Regional Center
at the NWF; and Samir Dalal, planning manager of the Philadelphia
LandCare Program at the PHS. Throughout their comprehensive
discussion, which began with the 2021 National Planning
Conference session Nature-Based Solutions for Creating Climate
Resilient Communities, they provide actionable advice to planners
looking to use similarly low-cost but high-impact solutions in
their own communities.


Episode URL:
https://www.planning.org/podcast/philadelphia-is-transforming-vacant-lots-into-climate-resilient-pollinator-gardens/