If a decayed house on a property is vacant and an eyesore it becomes a hazard to the community regardless of the aesthetic or original building plan of that community. Vacant plots even if scattered within these communities can be developed by that community and beneficial to that community. Also vacant plots can be purchased by adjacent owner occupied properties thusly increasing the value of those properties and affectively increasing the housing value within that community. If at a later time housing demand for that community increases then there will be vacant land to build on. It is a win, win situation as opposed to leaving vacant housing to decay, promote illicit activity and depreciate the value of owner occupied housing in that community.

Is Columbus demolishing too many vacant houses?

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/02/08/plans-to-raze-hundreds-of-vacant-houses-raise-concerns.html