Lots of Philadelphia
This project is an ongoing series that documents the city’s numerous vacant lots that are left in limbo. Each lot is carefully selected based on its estimated worth and the direction of light from which it is coming. Inspired by Claude Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series, the work explores how the atmospheric effects of the day transform these overlooked sites, emphasizing the subtle ways these spaces change and convey their meaning. The entire shooting process takes a full day to execute, as the series is photographed with a 4x5 large-format camera and hand-developed film.
24th and Samson, 11/1/24 - 11/2/24
While walking through Philadelphia, encountering these fenced-off spaces is inevitable. According to the city’s Vacant Lot Program, there are approximately 40,000 active vacant lots, with 74% being privately owned. These private lots significantly impact the real estate market in Philly, causing surrounding property prices to rise as they remain empty for prolonged periods. I spoke to someone at 9th and Locust, who knew the owner of that particular lot. They expressed that the owner had no plans to sell the space even after Jefferson University had allegedly offered several million dollars for the space, which the owner refused. Currently, that lot is valued at about $575,000, according to Zillow.
9th and Locust, 11/16/24
Once confirmed for zoning, these lots are leveled and fenced, then often sit empty for years, becoming overgrown with vegetation. This transformation leads to a series of adverse effects on the city that work hand in hand with gentrification. To address this issue, Philadelphia has devised a plan to build affordable housing on the vacant lots. This would involve a collaborative effort among organizations such as the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC), Turn The Key (TTK), and PHS Land Care. While this initiative sounds promising on paper, housing constructed is often built quickly and carelessly, as observed in student housing developments in University City. Frequently, this new housing does not meet the “affordable standards” of most working-class Philadelphia residents, leaving many new units to sit vacant.
11th and Walnut, 11/23/24
My mission is to utilize the historical significance of the photographic medium to visually communicate this issue and raise awareness about its ever-evolving nature. I aim to document the changes in these spaces and their effects on the surrounding environment. I hope that one day, the active organizations working to resolve the vacant lot issue in the city will be successful, and that Philadelphia’s seemingly invisible problem will be addressed.