PlanPhilly

Protected Bike Lane

Protected Bike Lanes Deliver Numerous Benefits, Study Says. But Is it Enough to Change State Law?

Advocates in Philadelphia are pushing state lawmakers to finally pass a law to make it easier to install protected bike lanes on state routes.

April 13, 2022 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia Construction

Affordable Housing Bonus Program Expanded in Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia launched a height and density bonus in 2018 to create incentives for the development of affordable housing, but so far the results have proven underwhelming.

October 5, 2021 - PlanPhilly

Center City Construction

Philadelphia Council President Wants to Curb the City's Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment has shown a strong preference for providing developer-friendly decisions. Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke has seen enough.

September 21, 2021 - PlanPhilly

City Apartments

Philadelphia Mayor Vetoes Several Development-Related Bills

Among a package of bills that died in the pocket of Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney at the beginning of the New Yer was a bill intended to ensure that developers contribute to communities.

January 7, 2020 - PlanPhilly

Elfreth's Alley

Philadelphia Planning Commission Approves ADU Bill

The commission recommended a trio of bills focused on historic preservation, including one that would permit accessory dwelling units on historic properties.

August 27, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Rua Goncalo de Carvalho

Debunking Anti-Tree Myths

Most of the reasons street trees are sometimes unpopular with residents are either untrue or can be mitigated.

August 8, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia Homeless

Hepatitis A Outbreak in Philadelphia Leaves City Scrambling

Philadelphia isn't the first city to deal with a Hepatitis A outbreak after wavering on the question of whether to deploy public bathrooms and hygiene stations

August 2, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Effort to Rid Apartments of Lead Poisoning Risk Pushes Forward in Philadelphia

It’s been a tough slog for a bill designed to force landlords to remove lead from all buildings before they can charge tenants for rent.

August 1, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Chicago Freeway Traffic

Research Documents the Negative Externalities of 20th Century Freeway Planning

According to a newly released working paper, people in 20th century noticed the air and noise pollution and severed neighborhoods caused by freeways, and many of those people chose to move to the suburbs rather than deal with the nuisance.

July 12, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1,000 Residential Units on the Delaware River

A vacant parcel is located near the city's Graffiti Pier, which is slated to become a public park after closing in June.

July 6, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Downtown Philadelphia

Consensus on Changes to Property Tax Abatement Too Challenging for Philadelphia

Despite over a year of proposals, counter proposals, and heated debate, the city of Philadelphia has yet to broker a breakthrough on proposed reforms to the city's ten-year property tax abatement program.

July 3, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia Construction

Voluntary Inclusionary Zoning Scores Early Wins in Philadelphia

A compromise was necessary to enact inclusionary zoning in Philadelphia, and so far it eems to be working out for program supporters.

June 28, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia Street

Proposed Law Would Require Community Benefits Negotiations for 'High Impact' Projects in Philadelphia

A recently proposed law would attempt to force developers and neighborhood projects to the table to negotiate large projects in the city of Philadelphia.

June 19, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia Rowhouses

Designing Homes for the In-between Spaces

"Leftover lots" are the object of one Philadelphia-based architecture firm's fascination.

June 8, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Geno's Steaks

Streets in Dense Urban Areas Safer Than Suburban 'Stroads,' Study Finds

A new study considers urban form, roadway characteristics, traffic collisions, and fatalities in the Philadelphia region, to show that the densest parts of regions are the safest places to drive and walk.

May 22, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mega-Project Trades Trail Funding for Extra Height

In Philadelphia, the Liberty on the River development will transform the Delaware River waterfront.

May 18, 2019 - PlanPhilly

SEPTA Token

The New Trend in Transit: $0 Transfer Fees

After Detroit eliminated its fee to transfer between DDOT and SMART buses. Advocates in Pennsylvania want Philadelphia to be next.

May 2, 2019 - PlanPhilly

SEPTA Token

Fare Evasion 'Quietly' Decriminalized in Philadelphia

More social justice advocates in more cities are winning the argument that transit fare evasion punishments don't fit the crime.

April 3, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia Rowhouses

Philadelphia Unlikely to Follow Minneapolis' Lead in Zoning Reform

Minneapolis is setting a bold example by ending single-family zoning, but chances are a similar change won’t be coming to Philadelphia.

January 9, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Blight Demolition

Record Year for Demolitions in Philadelphia

City records reveal the growing trend of demolitions across the city of Philadelphia.

December 31, 2018 - PlanPhilly

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.