Adaptive Reuse

When big boxes go under, they leave big holes. Communities across America are coming up with some creative ways to reuse the huge spaces left behind when big box retailers move out.

This piece from WorldChanging looks at the trend of dying indoor malls, and some creative ideas for reviving or reusing them.

Plans were recently revealed for the much-ballyhooed High Line Park in New York, converting an abandoned elevated railway into a recreation area. But the NY Times says, 'I’d been hoping for a utopia. Instead, I got sumac.'

Urban decay blankets much of downtown Detroit. More and more people are pushing for adaptive reuse of the aging and underused buildings, but some city policies may get in the way.

Developers in Detroit are planning a condominium project completely made out of used shipping containers. But city approval is needed before the project can move forward.

Old subway cars are being dumped off the coast of Delaware, creating a manmade reef. Life is flourishing in this new underwater subway cemetery, but officials worry the reef may be too successful.

The 93-year old Bronx Borough Courthouse will soon become a charter school.