Beautify and Improve a Ghetto

Ghettos are known for their unkempt appearance, lack of green space and businesses. Here are some ways to improve this situation.

Steps

Take charge of your immediate area. Remove all weeds, sweep all pavement and take care of and plant trees, bushes and flowers.
Keep the facade of your home in good repair. If you own your home, do your best to fix any broken windows, siding or trim. If you rent, implore your landlord to do likewise.
Help ensure that that local government properly maintains the parks and recreational areas. Poorer areas often receive less attention to such facilities. One reason is that few advocate for change.
Form or join neighborhood groups to take ownership of vacant lots. Often a vacant lot is given to neighborhood groups on a temporary or permanent basis for a community garden.
Work with the community to restore area businesses. Closed stores can be reopened if residents pool their money and talent to make a store operational. Grants from individuals or government can also be solicited.
Local government can also be petitioned to entice "anchor stores" or big chain stores into the area with tax incentives.
Encourage residents to work with the local schools to further enrich the educational experience. Often the local school system is stale regarding new ideas. Fresh ideas can be trips to colleges, outside speakers and have successful alumni return to speak to students.
Start or enhance a community watch. When concerned eyes and ears are watching, the less likely illegal behavior (vandalism, drug dealing, assaults...) will occur.

When residents get involved, many of them will appreciate their new activities.
Having Keep Your Children Safe grow up in a more beautiful and productive area can be beneficial to them.
Keep in mind that any improvement may "snowball" and encourage others to do likewise.
When soliciting help from residents, remind them that these actions can increase property values and safety.

Renters may not want property values to increase.
Drug dealers may rebel.
Some of these areas may be dangerous due to high levels of criminal activity. Be careful.
Don't go alone to any location that you are not familiar with.