After traveling to Port Gibson, a rural town in Mississippi facing immense challenges, I chose to put effort into design solutions that harness green infrastructure to boost the quality of life for its citizens. Leaning into abandonment with a managed retreat strategy offers a fresh take on resilience, allowing for the regenerative power of decay and rewilding to redefine what rural landscapes can be.

This approach embraces change as an opportunity for creative renewal rather than fighting against the tide, focusing on sustainable infrastructure to mitigate climate risks and promoting a redefined, positive rural identity. It acknowledges that revitalization doesn’t have to mimic urban ideals but can instead honor the unique strengths and evolving identities of rural spaces, transforming abandonment into a platform for growth, resilience, and reimagined rural futures.