Townsend Appraisal Commentary

Looking for a niche to fill next year? These trends are likely to influence how consumers live for much longer than the next 12 months.

Community Gardens

Credit: Claire Easley

A darling of both organic advocates and the local-food movement, community gardening is a trend that’s bound to grow. "[Shared gardens] fulfill a lot of wants for people—a desire for fresh food that’s affordable, for activities that help create a community, for a place that can bring people in a neighborhood together," says Gayle Berens, a senior vice president at the Urban Land Institute. "In addition, they’ve proven to be an effective use of vacant land—if only temporarily." Not only is the trend a haven for foodies and consumers looking for a bit of pastoral simplicity in hectic times, but also for builders and developers looking for shelter from the hefty costs of expensive community amenities, such as golf courses. An inexpensive feature in their own right, community gardens also help cut down on landscaping costs

To read the remaining trends click here: 2012 Trends