Newsletter

An urban farm in Chicago (Photo credit: Linda N. via Flickr)

The Council of the District of Columbia is considering a proposal that would allow vacant lots as well as plots of land owned by the District to be turned into urban farms—creating a land leasing initiative, a new tax credit for food donations, and tax abatement for properties leased to become urban farms.

"There's parcels of land in D.C. that maybe aren't in the right neighborhoods or areas for development yet," Councilmember David Grosso told DCist. "One of the secrets about development is that it happens when it wants to. It's very hard to create development in a place or location where it's not ready."

Urban farms are a attractive option for underutilized property in cities. The lack of permanence makes it an appealing option in that it does not preclude future development on the site, while providing fresh food and removing an eyesore in the interim.

Read more: Vacant Lots Could Become Urban Farms Under Council Bill: DCist

Partners in Progress: Initiative in Los Angeles creates one-stop shops for needy families (Photo credit: Al Jazeera America)

Will this be the Decade of Big City Growth?

William H. Frey, Brookings Institution

For the first third of this decade, big city population growth continues to outpace the rates of 2000 through 2010, according to new data released by the Census Bureau. It raises the question: Is this city growth revival here to stay? Or, is it a lingering symptom of the recession, mortgage meltdown and the plight of still stuck in place young adults? The new statistics, which update city populations through July 2013, give some credence to both theories."

Partners believes traditional institutions – museums and zoos, art groups and historical societies, local foundations and military bases, volunteer groups and faith-based organizations – which are not central players in the public health arena, can be challenged to re-imagine themselves as part of the solution to the health issues facing America’s cities and communities. By bringing more community institutions strategically and thoughtfully into the conversation, Partners believes they can serve as fulcrums of change to improve the quality of life and health in underserved cities and neighborhoods.

Partners board member and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker was recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama at an event at the White House on Wednesday for his efforts to end chronic homelessness among veterans in Salt Lake City. Mayor Becker was present with the First Lady as she announced a new initiative, the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, with 77 mayors, four governors, and four county officials on board as of the annoucement.