URBAN RENEWAL

Some of my favorite projects are on urban lots – spaces that have been largely ignored, not respected, or simply covered with grass seed and mowed now and then. Our cities face some serious challenges, few of which can be overcome unless we simply start giving a damn about them. When an urban area that used to collect trash from passersby is transformed into something beautiful, it begins to earn our respect. Less trash ends up in bushes, neighbors take an interest, and homeowners enjoy their home more. Single-handedly, I can’t tackle urban blight, crabby neighbors, and Cleveland pride, but I see the potential for city landscapes to collectively create a contagious enthusiasm that can spread exponentially throughout a community.