North Philadelphia is a photography book, put together by American photographer Daniel Traub, that focuses on capturing abandoned residential lots and spaces in inner city Philadelphia. Due to the recession and housing market woes, several houses in the area were deemed beyond repair and abandoned, ultimately being replaced by empty spaces littered with trash or taken over by unruly plants and weeds.
The series has special meaning for Daniel Traub, who grew up in Center City Philadelphia and developed a keen understanding of the social and economic barriers marking the city. By photographing vacated and abandoned lots, Traub looked to better understand the surrounding neighborhoods. The state of the lots captured in his photos is as diverse as Philadelphia itself.
What's Driving This Trend
- Abandoned Spaces Photography
- Photographing abandoned residential, commercial or public spaces that once held a role within a community can reveal the effects of economic and social shifts in an area.
- Urban Redevelopment
- With the increase of abandoned lots, cities have the opportunity to partner with developers and investors for urban redevelopment and revitalization projects.
- Community Involvement
- Community groups and artists can a play a role in cleaning up abandoned areas and transforming them into safe spaces, gardens or public art projects.
Who This Affects Most
- Real Estate
- The photography books and documentation of abandoned lots provide insight for real estate companies considering areas for redevelopment or investment opportunities.
- Community Development
- Community development organizations can utilize the documentation of abandoned lots in their city planning and community revitalization projects.
- Art
- Individual artists and art collectives can use abandoned spaces as stage to display their work and bring attention to the issue whilst supporting the regeneration of derelict areas.
