The IBU is establishing a legal framework for buying and leasing blighted private property. Some sites can only be leased for a number of years with possible extension terms and thus they have to be planned and planted with that in mind. Others will be bought by IBU with the help of donations, grants and government subsidies and community tax credits and will be locally run in accordance to IBU’s sustainability principles.

Urban farms are one of the most effective ways for transforming urban blight into a source of abundance and a community treasure. With the recent economic crash, a large increase of properties have been abandoned and dilapidated, causing trash accumulation and environmental blight, sheltering crime, harboring fear for pedestrians and general unease to the communities.
Transforming these very sites into community gardens and urban farms not only reverses the negative environmental, social and visual effects of the dilapidated properties, it also tends to have a positive catalyst effect on the community as a whole. These sites become a very real symbol of hope and transformation. Out of blight comes bountiful beauty and a natural resource for food and health. It creates a source of inspiration to the community, and a place for people to meet and connect. It also creates a good setting for educational activities.