Green Leisure: Resistance and Revitalization of Urban Neighborhoods

Abstract

Many cities have addressed urban population shrinkage by adopting strategies to re-purpose vacant lots in ways that leave them beautified and groomed. This study investigates leisure behavior resulting in beautified and groomed vacant lots that resist dominant discourses – referred to as green leisure. We applied a mixed-methods research design with property owners who purchased vacant lots through the Chicago Large Lot Program. Our focus group findings (n = 25) indicated that participants framed their activities as resistance tied to (a) vacant lot beautification, (b) providing places to socialize, (c) efficacy, and (d) neighborhood transformation. Using survey data (n = 197), results from a path model show that behavioral investment in greening – as measured by a Cues to Care Action Scale – is influenced by social normative beliefs, collective-efficacy, self-efficacy, and perception of gardening as leisure. Our findings lend support to policies that encourage resident-based private ownership of vacant land to revitalize urban neighborhoods.

Keywords:

• Beautification
• collective efficacy
• urban greening
• urban leisure
• vacant lots

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Blacks in Green, Resident Association of Greater Englewood, and Garfield Park Community Council for their assistance with organizing the focus groups, along with LISC-Chicago and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development for their support with various stages of the research. The authors also thank Monika Stodolska, Toni Liechty, McKenzie Johnson, Teresa Ostler, Liza Berdychevsky, and three anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and constructive suggestions on earlier drafts of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This publication was supported in part by the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station grant #15-JV-11242309-075.