Interim Landscapes Mitigating NYC's Vacant Lots
2009

Interim landscapes proposes a process and design typology for installing interim landscapes on privately owned lots within New York City. Vacant lands make up 4.5% of under-utilized land use in New York City (Source: PlaNYC Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan, 2008), roughly the size of 8 Central Parks. Vacant lands can have negative social and ecological effects; they contribute to the heat island effect, create sediment run-off, are unattractive, and reduce adjacent property values. The installation of interim landscapes offers potential for future developments mitigating these negative impacts and will provide ecological and social opportunities for communities and the city at large. Although temporary, these landscapes become agents for permanent change where an expanded list of open space types contribute to both beautiful, vibrant open space and environmental concerns that will impact important infrastructural systems in our city.

Collaboration: Jodie Lustgarten, landscape and urban designer and graphics by Jodie Lustgarten.