Other Considerations
Signage
Depending on your vision and goals, different marketing strategies should be considered. The Ghettostead is located on a busy street within a residential neighborhood and a visible sign would bring attention to the growing community asset. A static sign can also be complemented with alternating signage advertising specific goals or activities the homestead wishes to share with neighbors and passersby. Signs within the site can also add a creative touch and designate the different zones and activities. Limit cluttering of signs by being selective of what is displayed. A few things to consider indicating: parking, operating hours, accessibility, and most importantly the site’s name and purpose.
Parking
In an existing neighborhood, parking is designated and limited for extra visitors; therefore, planning for extended parking (several hours at a time) or drop-and-go parking should be considered during the overall site development plan. Make it a point to supply active participants (often neighbors) with information on public transit or walking routes (shaded, safe, wide sidewalks, and painted crosswalks, minimal vehicular traffic) to control the parking situation. This can be made available both in print and web formats for easy access. In addition to vehicular access, consider allowing flexible space for handicapped persons to move around the site, especially the perimeter and main walkways.
Hours of Operation
While thinking of nuisances, also consider what the appropriate hours of operation may be for your site. How involved your neighbors are may impact your ability to set hours of operation. For instance, if your surrounding neighbors are involved in your project, it may be acceptable to begin construction at 8am or extend events until 11pm; however, if they are not directly involved with that phase of the project, it may be more courteous to set hours that respect your neighbors’ space and time. Additionally, be sure to consider when your target audience may be most available or willing to participate.
Construction
Whenever you are considering construction on your site, be sure to research if a building permit is required for that type of construction. Not having the correct permits may result in an illegal structure which may result in a fine or the city forcing you to remove the structure. To find out in person about what permits may be necessary for each project, the Department of Building and Safety offers a public building counter, located on the 4th Floor, Counter 14, 201 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Waste and Sanitation
To extend the life-cycle of many materials and resources for the site development, remember that waste can be minimized in several ways during both construction and regular maintenance.
During construction and/or demolition, separate and save clean and untreated sawdust for use in compost bins and around the garden. Other materials can also be re-purposed as landscape liners or a unique outdoor ornament.
For community dinners or events, consider “bring your own…” by encouraging shared or biodegradable/compostable silverware and utensils.
If you choose to maintain a garden or are interested in reducing the site’s food waste, plan for a compost bin. Composting is a simple way of recycling organic matter and can divert as much as 30% of household waste. The resulting material is a nutrient-rich soil amendment for plant growth. Refer to for more information on composting, including a list of wastes that can and cannot be composted.
It is important to consider the spread of germs after handling organic material or animal waste. Therefore, make sure to provide a sanitation station for participants on site.
During construction and/or demolition, separate and save clean and untreated sawdust for use in compost bins and around the garden. Other materials can also be re-purposed as landscape liners or a unique outdoor ornament.
For community dinners or events, consider “bring your own…” by encouraging shared or biodegradable/compostable silverware and utensils.
If you choose to maintain a garden or are interested in reducing the site’s food waste, plan for a compost bin. Composting is a simple way of recycling organic matter and can divert as much as 30% of household waste. The resulting material is a nutrient-rich soil amendment for plant growth. Refer to for more information on composting, including a list of wastes that can and cannot be composted.
It is important to consider the spread of germs after handling organic material or animal waste. Therefore, make sure to provide a sanitation station for participants on site.
Safety
Safety should be a key consideration in planning for Ghettostead programming. Simple items such as having an evacuation plan and a meeting point for groups in case of fire or emergency, keeping a first aid kit in the kitchen, or knowing where electrical lines are in the yard before digging will keep your programming fun, and importantly, safe for all participants.
Nuisance
In planning and preparing for successful Ghettostead programming, be sure to consider how any of your proposed activities or events may be considered a nuisance to your neighbors. For example, a composting project may attract pests to your yard, keeping chickens may introduce unwelcome noises or odors to the immediate area, or hosting large events may create a parking challenge in your neighborhood. While you should not automatically rule out any activities that may have a negative impact on your neighbors, you should be proactive about considering unintended impacts. In both planning and implementing programming on site, ask yourself early and often how a proposed activity could be considered a nuisance to your neighbors, and take precaution to try to engineer those activities to be implemented in a way that minimizes nuisance.