Lots of Flowers
Transforming vacant lots into vibrant ecosystems and empowered communities
Neglected lots bloom into emergent ecosystems
In Pittsburgh, a quiet revolution is blooming. The Lots of Flower program isn't just about beautifying vacant lots—it's an experiment in urban ecology and community empowerment.
17 once-neglected vacant lots were transformed into vibrant wildflower meadows, each a microcosm of biodiversity. These pretty patches of color are lifelines for our often-overlooked urban pollinators, nature's essential workers. As these perennial flowers take root, they're holding the city’s soils together, combating soil erosion and giving rainwater a chance to absorb into the landscape rather than overwhelm the aging municipal sewer systems.
But the true magic lies in the ripple effects. Residents have stepped up, adopting these lots as their own under the city's Adopt-A-Lot program. This isn't just about the 35,000+ square feet of new habitat, 300+ volunteer hours, and 6 vacant lots tested for lead. It's about redefining our relationship with urban spaces and seeing potential where others see blight.
In nurturing these flower-filled lots, we're not just planting seeds in the ground. We're planting seeds of change in people's hearts and minds, growing a more resilient, connected, and vibrant Pittsburgh—one wildflower at a time. Vacant lots metamorphose into thriving wildflower meadows, revealing the latent potential of our cities to foster collective flourishing.
How are you blooming urban renewal?
FAQs
-
Pittsburgh, PA; 2017-2018
-
Project design, site design, site implementation, fundraising
-
Colcom Foundation