Philadelphians now have a new weapon in the fight to re-claim the more than 40,000 plots of land in our city right now that are currently "lots with no known use." The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia's Grounded in Philly web mapping and organizing tool has recently been updated to increase access to vacant land data for residents looking to transform vacant land for community use or preserve existing community spaces.
"It is so important to work with the vacant land with your neighbors. Community involvement is key" #wellsaid #landbankphl @PILCOP1969
— NKCDC (@NKCDC) March 10, 2015
NKCDC's informational session on re-claiming land was held last nightAs the Land Bank gains momentum, GroundedinPhilly.org hopes to fill an imperative information gap by aggregating data on ownership, zoning, liability, permeability and other land characteristics from city agencies such as the Records Department, the City Planning Commission, the Water Department, Licenses & Inspections, the Office of Property Assessment, and the Redevelopment Authority. Residents can also use the site to connect with one another and start a project together if they are interested in using the same land.
Amy Laura Cahn, director of the Garden Justice Legal Initiative at the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, says:
Grounded in Philly brings together the information residents need to start the process to obtain legal access to vacant land or preserve their long-time garden. On top of that, we are providing resources to help people connect to their neighbors and their political officials and become advocates in navigating the process.
· Philly Lank Bank solicits first RFPs [Curbed Philly]
· Grounded in Philly