The PHS (Pennsylvania Horticultural Society) and City of Philadelphia have found that this low-cost, high-value strategy in neighborhoods with excess amounts of vacant lots has really improved the overall quality of life among its residents.
This approach has also made neighborhoods safer. The study proves that cleaning and greening helps reduce violence, vandalism, and crime in general.
In today’s more urban focused environment, where couples from outside of Philadelphia proper actually consider raising their children within city limits, it’s no wonder why articles like this one seem to pop up from time to time.
For both Generation X and Generation Y, our lives have been considerably different from those of our parents. The majority of people from our generations have either gone (or are still going) to college, with a large portion of those having lived (or are still living) on their college’s campus. Plus, most of our college lives (especially in Philadelphia) were experienced in the city; it’s become a familiar environment for us.
We have high expectations for our careers, and we also understand that “job security and pension” are things of the past. Marriage and children are calculated decisions, and are met with a “no rush” philosophy. With all of these factors in mind, it’s no wonder why our generations have gravitated toward urban environments. That’s where the majority of jobs, entertainment, and people are; it’s also much different than what we grew up with, which makes it attractive.
But as we get older, and marriage/children become the next stage in life, we are faced with a daunting decision: City or Suburbs? The answer to that question is not so simple.