A social-ecological assessment of vacant lots in New York City

Land vacancy is a persistent phenomenon in urban landscapes in the United States, yet little is known about the ways vacant lots are used in practice and the functions they serve in local communities. Here, we offer insight into the composition, uses and neighborhood context of vacant lots in New York City. Using ArcGIS and Google Earth, we conducted a visual survey of 5% of vacant lots in each New York City borough, collecting land cover and actual use data. Results indicate that many vacant lots in New York City are used as community gardens, residential yards, parks, parking areas and sports fields. Neighborhood income and lot vegetation are significantly associated with most of the ways that vacant lots are used in practice. In particular, lots which are actually unused (33%) tend to be located in neighborhoods with relatively high population density and low median household income levels. We suggest that by assessing vacant lot uses, ecological characteristics and the social characteristics of neighborhoods in which vacant lots are located, planners may be able to more effectively address urban land vacancy while supporting urban sustainability and resilience.