Vacant land in inner cities and outside of urban areas have become a critical issue in every country across the globe. In the United States, the ratio of vacant land in inner city areas has increased, and it brings many negative impacts. Despite population and economic growth, the amount of vacant land is much higher in growing cities than in shrinking cities; despite the population and economic growth. However, well-maintained and protected vacant lands are often viewed as significant assets that can improve the quality of life. To address this issue, this study presents historical vacant land patterns and the influential factors that have a significant relationship with converting vacant land from non-vacant land in the city of Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. The population and economy are growing, and the physical land area is increasing due to annexation. From this viewpoint, this research analyzes the conversion of vacant land in a growing city. To effectively conduct an analysis of transformed vacant lands, this study defines the transformation of land that is changed from vacant to non-vacant. This research explores the causes and effects of vacant land and then selects exploratory variables that can explain the conversion of vacant land. As well, through a descriptive spatial analysis, vacant land patterns are identified using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Subsequently, a discrete-time hazard model (STATA) are used for the most comprehensive analysis of the conversion of vacant land. This research suggests how determining the factors contributing to vacancy would help cities, especially the vacancies and inner urban area vacancies of growing cities. This study demonstrated that over time, vacant and abandoned properties were concentrated in the core city area. The conversion of non-vacant land to vacant is caused by a major non-white population, high-land-value, a further the distance from the CBD, and small parcel size in the inner city area of a growing city. This research also found that the built environment and annexation are the principal causes of increases in vacant land, rather than socioeconomic status.
