The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Philadelphia Inquirer's architecture critic sets out to find the outer edge of the Philadelphia suburbs, and finds a "zombie subdivision."

A new plan from Governor Christie involves the state retaining control over the parks but contract with non-profit and business partners for services.

Delinquent properties are scattered throughout Philadelphia, and they collectively owe nearly $500 million in taxes. This is a major problem for the city, and new legislation is hoping to tackle it.

In the face of recent violence committed by roaming groups of teenagers, officials in Philadelphia are imposing stricter curfews for youth.

Philadelphia is opening its first "parklet" -- a small public park space built on street parking spaces.

Plans are emerging to revamp the public space surrounding Philadelphia's 30th Street train station to create a more vibrant way to enter the city.

That's how Inga Saffron describes New York's High Line, the unique park built into unused infrastructure that has cities clamoring for their own version. Philadelphia might get one too, on the Reading Viaduct.

Philadelphia is embarking on a long-term planning effort -- one in a string of many efforts over the past few decades. But this effort is different, compiling many small-scale plans for the city's future.

Two big names are calling for more high rise development and less of the historic preservation efforts that have often prevented it in dense urban areas. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Inga Saffron says they're wrong.

The Philadelphia Housing Authority owns over 3,000 homes and would like to get rid of 1/3rd of them.

Philadelphia is seeing a surge in new parks, as new public-realm projects are either opening or moving closer towards development.

Community groups in Philadelphia are trying to remake blighted vacant properties into community gardens and neighborhood amenities.

Climate change is expected to create major shifts in the amount of water and rainfall in cities in the near future. A recent symposium in Philadelphia on urban water delved into this emerging problem.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will take on the responsibilities of the Philadelphia agency for at least one year, after revelations of profligate spending led to the termination of the former Executive Director.

Three public plazas in the center of Philadelphia are set to see much-needed makeovers, and soon.

Critic Inga Saffron says that the interesting architecture and urban design is happening on the small scale: small parks, small houses and small plans.

A new Independence Mall stands in the historic heart of Philadelphia, a decade after the old mall's demolition. According to The Inquirer's Inga Saffron, the new space has been a major boon for tourists but has alienated many city residents.

The Pennsylvanian township of Upper Salford is auctioning off a 35-year-old wooden bridge to the highest bidder through an online forum, the latest creative solution for cash-strapped local governments seeking to clean up expensive local problems.

Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron gives a thumbs up to the design of Philadelphia's new South Street Bridge, which includes a bike lane that connects to bike paths on each side.

For more than 40 years, the city of Philadelphia has had its sights set on transforming the Delaware Riverfront, but few plans have taken hold and little transformation has actually occurred. A new master plan could finally make it happen.