Due to a history of decentralization, urban vacancy is an issue plaguing many cities today (G. Kim et al., 2020). Recently, communities have started to investigate urban greening as a management technique to lessen the detrimental effects of vacancy (Heckert and Mennis, 2012). In order to address the issue of urban vacant land and promote long-term regeneration through urban greening initiatives, community engagement is a critical component (G. Kim et al., 2020). Research indicates that community engagement can help diverse resident populations better articulate their needs and formulate a vision, thus helping to reduce the risk of the negative consequences of urban greening, such as gentrification (Campbell and Lindquist, 2021). However, it is unclear how the components and dimensions of the community engagement process and its results support urban greening efforts, especially in high vacancy areas. There is also a need for strategies, guidance, and policies to govern how we design spaces, such as vacant lots.
This study explored the role community engagement has in the implementation of greening vacant lots initiatives. The study focused on the greening of vacant lots as informal spaces, to help understand the role of community engagement in repurposing such spaces. Through exploring thirteen precedent studies, this study examined greening vacant lot initiatives in twelve cities to understand the greening programs and community engagement processes. Semi structured interviews with nine project coordinators were conducted to gain insight into the community engagement process. Comparisons based on scale, program type, and age of initiative were conducted to determine whether these aspects influenced community engagement. Results from the comparisons indicated that scale of the initiative influenced community engagement whereas program type and age of initiative did not.
Furthermore, findings highlight the importance of community engagement and community led approaches in the success of greening vacant lot initiatives. Findings also indicate the importance of communication, tailoring the process to the community, and practicing active engagements. Seventeen strategies and principles were derived from the data collected and subsequent analysis. These include core values such as building trust, being understanding and empathetic, being transparent, and being flexible. Additionally, strive to build collaborative relationships, work with community organizations already embedded in the community, share resources, and provide opportunities for feedback. Based on the data collected from the precedent studies and semi structured interviews, a recommendation for an interim land use program that could lead to permanent green space was made for Kansas City, MO. The strategies and principles developed from this research can help guide future greening initiatives and help foster meaningful and effective community engagement.
