Unlocking the Hidden Value of Vacant Lots: The Power of Infill Development

💡Vacant lots and underused parking lots in urban areas have hidden value waiting to be unlocked through infill development.

🏢Building new housing and shops in vacant lots can reduce traffic, lower housing costs, and provide much-needed housing.

🚗Infill development in urban areas can help end the housing affordability crisis and reduce carbon emissions.

🌱Infill development preserves valuable farmland and open space, making cities more sustainable and livable.

🚶‍♀️Infill development creates walkable and bike-friendly communities, reducing the need for car trips.

What is infill development?

—Infill development is the strategy of building new housing and shops in vacant lots and underused spaces within existing urban areas.

How does infill development reduce traffic and commute times?

—By building housing closer to job centers, people have shorter commutes and are more likely to use public transportation, walk, or bike, reducing the traffic congestion on highways and city streets.

Why is infill development important for housing affordability?

—Infill development provides much-needed housing in already developed areas, reducing the need to build on the outskirts of cities where land is more expensive. This can help lower housing costs and make cities more accessible for residents.

What are the environmental benefits of infill development?

—Infill development reduces urban sprawl, preserves valuable farmland and open space, and decreases carbon emissions by promoting walkability, bikeability, and the use of public transportation.

How can cities encourage infill development?

—Cities can encourage infill development by rezoning or upzoning vacant lots, implementing transit-oriented development near public transportation, and eliminating parking minimums to promote compact and sustainable development.

00:00Vacant lots and underused parking lots in urban areas have hidden value waiting to be unlocked through infill development.

02:20Cities can encourage infill development through rezoning or upzoning land, allowing for higher densities and mixed-use development.

04:24Eliminating parking minimums can free up underused parking lots for redevelopment, creating opportunities for affordable housing and retail spaces.

06:26Infill development reduces the need for car trips, promotes walkability and bikeability, and decreases carbon emissions.

08:50Infill development preserves valuable farmland and open space, making cities more sustainable and protecting natural habitats.

09:06Cities can implement policies and provide incentives to encourage infill development, creating vibrant and affordable communities.