philly.com
Amtrak: A Victim of its Own Success
At a recent congressional hearing, Amtrak president Joseph Boardman told Senators that the railroad is facing a 'crisis of success.' Amtrak's increasing ridership, especially in the Northeast Corridor, will lead to deteriorating service, he warned.
Socially Conscious Developers Build a Bastion of Affordability in Philly
Inga Saffron reports on the redevelopment of a 19th-century brick mill into workforce housing in Philadelphia's South Kensington neighborhood; a project that proves virtue need not come at the expense of profit for one Philadelphia-based developer.
Billboard Blocks Long-Sought Development in Philadelphia
Inga Saffron tells the frustrating tale of how the owner of a lucrative billboard can derail an apartment tower planned for Philly's Old City neighborhood that planners have enthusiastically endorsed.
Stop the Madness: New Thinking Needed for Prioritizing Transportation Projects
For architecture critic Inga Saffron, a $900 million project to improve a South Jersey interchange illustrates the madness of transportation funding priorities.
The Remarkable Story of How Philly Turned Around its Transit Agency
Over the last two decades, SEPTA has transformed itself from debt-mired subject of federal investigation to "the best damn transit agency in the U.S. of A." Dan Geringer explores how the agency's chairman has turned the ship around.
Will Changes to Philly's New Zoning Code Hurt Development?
Only five months after the city passed the long-overdue update to its 1962 zoning code, City Council members are once again tinkering with the ground rules. Two months after moving to revise parking requirements, they're now focused on outreach.
Radical University-Led Project Could Transform Philadelphia
Drexel University is proceeding with a study to determine the feasibility of capping and building over the Schuylkill Rail Yards, a transformational project that could unite West Philadelphia with the Center City, reports Susan Snyder.
Philadelphia Reconsiders Its Brand New Zoning Code
That didn't take long. A few short months after Philadelphia enacted the long-overdue replacement to its antiquated 1962 zoning code, the City Council is already considering changes to the document, including increasing parking requirements.
Safety in Numbers Leads to Less Bike Accidents in Philly
Despite more bicyclists on its streets, Philadelphia has seen a marked reduction in bike crashes and deaths. With double the amount of cyclists on downtown streets since 2002, the decline is being attributed to more visibility to motorists.
Philadelphia Tackles Gentrification
As Philadelphia seeks to shift the basis of its property tax system, Catherine Lucey and Jan Ransom report on legislation to be introduced by two City Councilmen that could provide property tax relief to long-time residents of gentrifying areas.
In a Distressed Philadelphia Neighborhood, Art Brings Hope
Kia Gregory reports on a mural program implemented in the West Philadelphia neighborhood of Mantua over the last year, that has transformed the area into a work of art.
Philadelphia Leads the Largest Cities in America for Bicycle Mode Share
A new report from The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia shows that Philadelphia's bicycle mode share is more than double that of Chicago's (the big city with the second-greatest share).
Philadelphia Goes Porous
Philadelphia's water department has opened its first street made of porous pavement, which will help city streets safer by absorbing rain water.
Amtrak Appoints Albrecht Engel To Head High Speed Rail Department
As Amtrak seeks to create and expand high-speed passenger train operations in the United States, the company on Thursday named Philadelphia rail expert Albrecht "Al" Engel to head its new high-speed rail department.
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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
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