The Revitalist

"When it comes to potential for gardening, Detroit is a land of vast opportunity. The city owns 20,000 vacant parcels that are available free by permit for gardening during one growing season." The vacant lots littering the city, increasing in numbers as Detroit has been hit hard by the sub-prime mortgage crisis, are ripe locations for microfarming (via Planetizen). The city is encouraging the cultivation of the lots and the Garden Resource Program Collaborative, cooperative effort by four local agri organizations to provide support and education. They have created a Grown in Detroit logo for use at local farmers' markets and for selling to restaurants. Seems like the program accomplishes multiple urban planning goals, all while costing the city next to nothing: beautifying vacant lots, more people active on the street, neighbors working cooperatively, grassroots investment and a sense of ownership for the residents.