A free platform that promises to "bring citizen feedback into the digital age" is being employed to help shape Philadelphia's comprehensive plan, reports Matt Bevilacqua.
Developed by San Francisco-based non-profit Code for America, Textizen "involves a charming mixture of new and old media," writes Bevilacqua. "It works by having residents respond via text message to questions
posted in various places around the city, from bus shelters to telephone
posts, asking for their opinions on specific community topics like
transportation and quality of life."
Launched as a pilot project, "The questions, which started appearing on both physical posters and social media channels on Friday, come from the Philadelphia Planning Commission as it continues to shape the city's comprehensive plan
for the next two decades. So far, posters have have stayed confined to
Center City and a few northeastern neighborhoods, since portions of the
plan affecting these districts are to be published in July."
FULL STORY: New Program to Help Philly Crowd-Source Its Comprehensive Plan
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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