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Citizen Journalism Report: Urban Abandonments and Dereliction
Urban abandonment and dereliction—the decay of buildings, vacant lots, and neglected infrastructure—represent a growing issue in cities worldwide. These neglected spaces harm community well-being, lower property values, and attract crime, while also raising questions of environmental and social injustice. Citizen journalism, where non-professional individuals report on local issues, has played a vital role in documenting and raising awareness about urban dereliction, often filling gaps left by mainstream media. This report synthesizes insights from available sources, including web articles and posts on X, to explore the phenomenon of urban abandonment and the role of citizen journalism in addressing it.
Overview of Urban Abandonments and Dereliction
Urban abandonment occurs when properties, such as homes, commercial buildings, or public spaces, are left vacant or neglected, often due to economic decline, population shifts, or policy failures. Dereliction refers to the state of disrepair these spaces fall into, characterized by crumbling structures, overgrown lots, and illegal dumping. These issues are prevalent in both developed and developing nations:
- United States: American cities like Detroit, Philadelphia, and Atlanta face significant property abandonment. For example, a study in Atlanta highlighted how derelict properties contribute to environmental injustice, with residents in high-dereliction areas struggling to secure city services like garbage collection or code enforcement.
- Ireland: In Ireland, the 2016 census reported over 166,000 vacant homes, a stark contrast to the ongoing homeless crisis. Citizen journalists have highlighted properties left empty for years, such as Apollo House in Dublin, which was occupied by activists in 2016 to protest the housing crisis.
- Japan: Japan’s “akiya” phenomenon involves over 8.5 million abandoned rural homes, driven by urban migration and population decline. These properties, while a burden locally, attract foreigners seeking affordable homes.
- Colombia: A recent post on X highlighted 400 abandoned apartments in western Bogotá, pointing to local concerns about wasted urban space.
The impacts of dereliction are profound:
- Economic: Vacant properties reduce local tax revenues and depress nearby property values. In Philadelphia, 33% of land parcels in some neighborhoods were vacant, contributing to economic stagnation.
- Social: Abandoned spaces fracture communities, foster fear, and attract illegal activities like drug use or prostitution. Residents in Philadelphia reported feeling unsafe due to crime in vacant lots.
- Health: Derelict areas pose health risks through unsanitary conditions, such as rodent infestations or illegal dumping. In Philadelphia, 83% of study participants cited health hazards from animals in vacant lots.
- Environmental Justice: Dereliction disproportionately affects marginalized communities, particularly along racial and class lines. In Atlanta, neglected areas often lack procedural justice, as residents struggle to influence city policies.
Historical policies like redlining in the U.S. have exacerbated dereliction by limiting investment in minority neighborhoods, creating long-term patterns of disinvestment.
Citizen Journalism’s Role in Addressing Dereliction
Citizen journalism, defined as non-professionals collecting, reporting, and sharing news, has become a powerful tool for documenting urban dereliction. Enabled by smartphones, social media, and blogs, it amplifies marginalized voices and highlights issues ignored by traditional media. Key aspects include:
- Documenting Neglect:
- In Ireland, Michelle Clarke’s 15,000-word citizen journalism project (2009–2012) chronicled Dublin’s derelict buildings, emphasizing their impact on property values and community morale. She advocated for policies to repurpose vacant Georgian homes for inner-city living.
- On X, users like @ReusingDublin have shared photos and stories of abandoned properties, sparking public discourse on urban reuse.
- In Bogotá, a post by @AS_TikitakasCO drew attention to 400 abandoned apartments, prompting local discussions about housing solutions.
- In Ireland, Michelle Clarke’s 15,000-word citizen journalism project (2009–2012) chronicled Dublin’s derelict buildings, emphasizing their impact on property values and community morale. She advocated for policies to repurpose vacant Georgian homes for inner-city living.
- Amplifying Marginalized Voices:
- Citizen journalists often report from communities overlooked by mainstream outlets. In Philadelphia, residents used interviews to describe how vacant lots fostered crime and health hazards, pushing for community-based solutions.
- In Indonesia, the Indonesian Association for Media Development (PPMN) trained 1,500 citizen journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic to report on marginalized communities, including issues like dereliction.
- Citizen journalists often report from communities overlooked by mainstream outlets. In Philadelphia, residents used interviews to describe how vacant lots fostered crime and health hazards, pushing for community-based solutions.
- Influencing Policy and Media:
- In China, citizen journalists have shaped media and policy agendas by reporting on crises, such as the Wenchuan earthquake, which included documentation of neglected infrastructure.
- In Pakistan, PakVoices trained citizen journalists to report on under-reported areas, leading to local policy changes based on their investigations.
- In Ireland, Clarke’s work was emailed to media and politicians, contributing to discussions about vacant properties and NAMA (National Asset Management Agency) policies.
- In China, citizen journalists have shaped media and policy agendas by reporting on crises, such as the Wenchuan earthquake, which included documentation of neglected infrastructure.
- Challenges and Criticisms:
- Ethics and Accuracy: Traditional journalists criticize citizen journalism for lacking objectivity and real-time fact-checking, potentially leading to biased or inaccurate reports.
- Safety Risks: Citizen journalists in conflict zones or high-crime areas face dangers, and mainstream media’s use of their content raises ethical questions about duty of care.
- Participation Gaps: In some cases, citizen journalism prioritizes outsider perspectives (e.g., Westerners in Haiti), marginalizing local voices.
- Ethics and Accuracy: Traditional journalists criticize citizen journalism for lacking objectivity and real-time fact-checking, potentially leading to biased or inaccurate reports.
Case Studies
- Dublin, Ireland (2009–2016):
- Michelle Clarke’s citizen journalism documented Dublin’s derelict buildings, noting their role in economic and social decline. Her work highlighted vacant NAMA properties and the 2016 Apollo House occupation, which drew attention to Ireland’s homeless crisis. Despite her efforts, systemic change was slow, reflecting the challenge of translating citizen reporting into policy action.
- Michelle Clarke’s citizen journalism documented Dublin’s derelict buildings, noting their role in economic and social decline. Her work highlighted vacant NAMA properties and the 2016 Apollo House occupation, which drew attention to Ireland’s homeless crisis. Despite her efforts, systemic change was slow, reflecting the challenge of translating citizen reporting into policy action.
- Philadelphia, USA (2012):
- A study involving 50 residents revealed how vacant lots and abandoned homes fostered crime, fear, and health risks. Citizen voices, amplified through interviews, emphasized the need for community-driven solutions, though residents struggled to influence city policies.
- A study involving 50 residents revealed how vacant lots and abandoned homes fostered crime, fear, and health risks. Citizen voices, amplified through interviews, emphasized the need for community-driven solutions, though residents struggled to influence city policies.
- Atlanta, USA (2009):
- Research framed urban dereliction as an environmental justice issue, with citizen activism in high-dereliction areas failing to secure adequate city responses. This underscored procedural injustices, as marginalized communities lacked the power to demand infrastructure maintenance.
- Research framed urban dereliction as an environmental justice issue, with citizen activism in high-dereliction areas failing to secure adequate city responses. This underscored procedural injustices, as marginalized communities lacked the power to demand infrastructure maintenance.
Solutions and Recommendations
Based on citizen journalism insights and research, addressing urban dereliction requires a multi-faceted approach:
- Community Engagement:
- Involve residents in identifying and repurposing vacant spaces, as seen in Philadelphia’s community interviews.
- Support platforms like PakVoices to train citizen journalists in documenting local issues and advocating for change.
- Involve residents in identifying and repurposing vacant spaces, as seen in Philadelphia’s community interviews.
- Policy Reforms:
- Implement policies to repurpose vacant properties, such as Ireland’s proposed use of Georgian homes for housing or Japan’s akiya renovation initiatives.
- Strengthen enforcement of codes and services in derelict areas to address environmental justice concerns, as highlighted in Atlanta.
- Implement policies to repurpose vacant properties, such as Ireland’s proposed use of Georgian homes for housing or Japan’s akiya renovation initiatives.
- Technology and Training:
- Equip citizen journalists with mobile journalism (MoJo) tools and training to enhance reporting quality and safety, as done by PPMN in Indonesia.
- Develop platforms like NowPublic or OurMedia.org to share citizen reports globally, increasing their impact.
- Equip citizen journalists with mobile journalism (MoJo) tools and training to enhance reporting quality and safety, as done by PPMN in Indonesia.
- Addressing Root Causes:
- Tackle systemic issues like redlining and disinvestment through policies like the Community Reinvestment Act, which promotes equitable housing access.
- Counter economic decline by incentivizing urban repopulation, as suggested in Ireland’s call for inner-city living.
- Tackle systemic issues like redlining and disinvestment through policies like the Community Reinvestment Act, which promotes equitable housing access.
Conclusion
Urban abandonments and dereliction are complex issues with economic, social, and health impacts, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Citizen journalism has proven invaluable in documenting these problems, giving voice to residents, and pushing for change. From Dublin’s vacant homes to Philadelphia’s crime-ridden lots, grassroots reporting highlights the urgency of addressing dereliction. However, challenges like ethical concerns and limited policy influence persist. By supporting citizen journalists with training, platforms, and policy reforms, cities can better tackle urban decay, fostering equitable and vibrant communities.
Sources: -: Canisgallicus.com, Michelle Clarke’s Citizen Journalism (2015)
-: Canisgallicus.com, Abandoned Homes in Ireland and Japan (2024)
-: ACME Journal, Urban Dereliction as Environmental Injustice (2009)
-: Wikipedia, Citizen Journalism
-: PMC, Vacant Land and Urban Health (2012)
-: NCRC, Redlining and Disinvestment (2024)
-: Journalism University, Mobile and Citizen Journalism (2024)
-: Free Press Unlimited, Working with Citizen Journalists
-: SourceWatch, Citizen Journalism (2011)
-: ResearchGate, Urban Dereliction as Environmental Injustice (2024)
-:
@AS_TikitakasCO on X, Abandoned Apartments in Bogotá (2025)
Note: This report critically examines the establishment narrative by cross-referencing citizen journalism with academic studies, ensuring a balanced perspective. Claims from X posts were treated as inconclusive unless supported by web sources.
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