Increase in abandoned buildings

Communities with decreasing populations tend to be left with unsightly, deteriorating empty buildings and vacant lots, which detract from the natural beauty of rural areas, discouraging visitors who might otherwise enjoy the area's amenities and persuading residents to work and shop outside their community. As buildings are demolished they present a reminder of what was and what might come to pass. In urban areas, the gradual deterioration in the appearance leads to a sense of futility on the part of the citizens.

A 1993 study estimates 818,000 abandoned properties in England and Wales.

1. Proliferation
2. Oppressive prevalent images
3. Detrimental story of community future
4. Deteriorated building conditions
5. Dereliction of the built environment

1. Abandoned private homes

1. Illegal occupation of unoccupied property
2. Homelessness
3. Geographically undefined community limits
4. Deteriorating community identity

1. Uninvestigated housing alternatives
2. Unimportance of physical improvements
3. Underutilization of resources
4. Social inadequacy of large buildings
5. Prohibitive cost of building maintenance
6. Insufficient renovation incentives
7. Improvisational housing
8. High cost of housing
9. Forced evictions
10. Architectural obsolescence of building structures
11. Unstable buildings

1. Housing shortage

1. Unused
2. Underuse
3. Insecurity
4. Increase [D]
5. Increase [C]
6. Dilapidation
7. Business
8. Abandonment