Geoff Kees Thompson digs into one component of this old city's proposed mayoral platform for Philadelphia: the need to organize the city's alphabet soup of planning agencies under one director and give the Planning Commission teeth.
The public space- and Philadelphia-focused blog This Old City released a proposed mayoral platform late last week, issuing policy briefs on categories like transportation, public space quality, and clean streets.
This week, the platform's author, Geoff Kees Thompson, drills down on a few of the recommendations, including those under the headings of governmental reform, zoning and land use, city planning and infrastructure, and more. The government reform policy point, for instance, produces a call to "[place] the Planning Commission, Streets Department, Parks & Rec, Water Department & and the Land Bank under a new Department-level Director."
The platform and its corresponding blog posts provide broad and profound insights into the current politics of planning in the city of Philadelphia.
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Facebook Campus Expansion Moving Forward in Menlo Park
A proposal to expand Facebook's footprint in the city of Menlo park gained key approval from the city's planning commission recently. The full City Council still needs to approve the plan.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
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Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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