RST Professor Co-Authors Study on Chicago's Large Lots Program

Dr. William StewartDr. William Stewart, a professor in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, recently co-authored a study with the Forest Service on Chicago's Large Lots Program, which sells vacant city-owned parcels to nearby homeowners for $1 each. Dr. Stewart, who co-directs the Parks and Environmental Behavior Research Group, was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune along with Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel about this effort to curb Chicago's vacant lot epidemic by repurposing the parcels as gardens and for other residential uses.   See the complete story at the Tribune's website.

vacant lot in Chicago neighborhood

A vacant lot next to a house in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood.  The lot was sold by the city for $1 as part of the Large Lots Program. (Photo credit: Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)