My research in 2022 explored how the community-led reimagining of vacant spaces in disinvested urban neighborhoods can advance environmental justice and address fundamental community needs. Through a case study of Filbert Street Garden, located in Curtis Bay, Baltimore, I examined 1) the historical factors leading to urban vacancy and concentrated poverty in legacy cities, such as segregation and redlining; 2) who actually benefits from urban sustainability projects; and 3) how formal and informal sustainable design can be a conduit for transforming vacant/abandoned spaces into community assets. My portfolio includes a digital story, interviews with leadership at Filbert Street Garden, a 3-part literature review, and an interdisciplinary analysis.