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April 21, 2026

Caretakers of Philly's Vacant Lots Unionize to Fight Development

City Cast Philly

Caretakers of Philly's Vacant Lots Unionize to Fight Development

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Philadelphians are spending their own time and resources to maintain vacant and neglected land in their neighborhoods. These vacant lots can become community gathering spaces, such as gardens and playgrounds, thanks to the stewardship of these neighbors. Then the owners of the lots can take them back when they want to build. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Ryan Gittler-Muñiz, land security organizer for Iglesias Garden and organizer of the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union, about the new union and how it's pushing for people who live around vacant land to have a say in what happens to it. 

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