Because the cells are flexible and community-controlled, they can support small family businesses, corner cafés, gathering spaces, picnic areas, green spaces, etc. When connected to households, they encourage care, stewardship, and safety by extending responsibility from the home into the neighborhood. The project gives residents agency to shape vacant lots themselves, creating low-cost opportunities for local use and small business rather than relying only on outside development.
In a second stage, the cells could occasionally gather- especially along Ridge Avenue and 29th Street- to support block parties, markets, and neighborhood events. These clusters would increase visibility for small businesses, activate different parts of the neighborhood, and support cultural preservation.
Over time, the cells could become affordable testing grounds for local businesses. Some families or entrepreneurs may generate income, purchase lots, and move toward permanent storefronts or mixed-use buildings with housing above. Other units may fail and move elsewhere, keeping the system flexible. Ultimately, Community Cells preserve Strawberry Mansion’s culture by keeping local families, enterprises, and gathering spaces central to the neighborhood’s future.
Various functions of community cells (Sharareh Faryadi, 2026)
