Many cities are now turning empty vacant lots and roof tops into useful gardening space. Studies have shown that urban gardens help to reduce overall crime and allow citizens to have access to fresh organic vegetables with little to no cost. In the USA urban garden movements have been growing for many years as more Americans become more aware of their eating habits impact on the environment. Urban gardens are alternatives to traditional supermarket vegetables that are transported great distances. This movement has also led to research and studies that show urban gardens help to naturally regulate temperature in hot weather and clean air.

In many cities in communities in poor areas, there are many empty lots and open spaces that are left abandoned and unused. Often times these vacant lots become junk yards where people throw away items that are broken or out of use. Additionally these empty lots can become areas where drug dealing, prostitution, and illegal activities are gathered. This can cause a rise in crime and violence in communities and disrupt the quality of life for the citizens. However this trend can be reversed by beginning urban gardens that have many benefits for the community.

First these empty lots are cleaned up and the community plans and takes responsibility for growing fresh vegetables and fruits. This allows for ugly looking areas to become beautiful as well as improve the diets of the local community. Finally many case studies have shown that crime rates significantly drop over time as empty lots are filled up with plants rather than junk. The reason is because the lots are no longer ugly and dirty places that people avoid and neglects, instead these areas become reintegrated and popular with the community.

However urban gardens are not only located in empty lots but pretty much anywhere in the city. They can be on rooftops of buildings and windows. Having urban gardens have several benefits. First of all, eating vegetables that are grown locally doesn?t need refrigeration or transportation. This reduces the carbon footprint because most food these days is being shipped all over the world, burning and using fuels and creation pollution. Additionally studies have shown that use of urban gardens have help to reduce the need for air conditioners during the summer seasons because these the gardens have cooling effects. They have moisture and naturally reduce the amount heat. Finally urban gardens can improve the air quality of the living area because as all of you know, plants release oxygen.

Individuals and local government needs to work with designers and urban planners to integrate urban gardens in to their design plans for their community. Urban spaces will help the community?s health, save green house emission and improve the lives of the community members.