By: Joan Hertz

I am a firm believer in American ingenuity.  The flexible and adaptable mind of the Americans can be seen in this down market.  Creative and encouraging ideas are coming out of these challenging times, especially when there is a collaborative effort. Around the nation, homeowners, developers, and politicians are working together to tackle the blight left from the foreclosed properties.

A great example of where this collaboration is occurring is Flint, Michigan.  The local authorities have created a land bank from the tax on foreclosed homes, lots and commercial properties and redrawing the master land plan, which is in keeping with the popular  “New Urbanism” movement.  This plan calls for a transformation of empty lots by planting trees and flowers to beautify the land, creating more playgrounds and adding small parks.  The usability and beautification of these neighborhoods are enabling the existing homeowners to maintain their value and boosting the offers of the  on existing for-sale homes.

Also, developers across the U.S. are transforming some of their land within the communities to small farms that produce local products. In these communities, the land values and home values have increased. Creative land usage ideas are forming all over the country, from suburbs in Chicago to communities in Vermont to local Georgia developments. Serenbe, a community located south of Atlanta, is a great example for developers to follow.  . The 25-acre working organic farm – which includes “edible landscaping” such as blueberry bushes, fig trees, spotted apple trees and peach trees – is part of the national Community Supported Agriculture partnership.

While these ideas will not apply to every community and situation, these are innovative examples of how developers have utilized what is available.  The challenge to all of us is to find new ideas and solutions that work for each individual community!