Philly Waterfront Park Breaks Ground

Penn’s Landing is an ambitious redesign of 11.5 waterfront acres.

1 minute read

September 15, 2023, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Rendering of people walking in waterfront park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rendering of Penn's Landing park. | Hargreaves Jones / Penn's Landing

A $430 million waterfront freeway cap park designed by Hargreaves Jones began to take shape last week in Philadelphia, with completion potentially expected in 2025, report Dan Roche in The Architect’s Newspaper.

“The project led by PennDOT replaces aging infrastructure to make way for improved waterfront access by ‘decking’ over 1-95 and Columbus Boulevard to form the park space,” Roche explains. “Upon completion, new pathways at Penn’s Landing will guide pedestrians from the city center to new public landscape features, amenities, and attractions over I-95. Those shared amenities will include a net zero central pavilion made of mass timber by KieranTimberlake.”

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) has “ambitious sustainability goals” that include net-zero energy consumption in the park’s central pavilion.

See the source article for renderings of the new park.

Monday, September 11, 2023 in The Architect's Newspaper

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

View of Interstate 205 bridge over Columbia River with Mt. Hood in background.

The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project

The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.

September 19, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Aerial view of coastal development and bright blue ocean in Kaua'i, Hawai'i.

Kaua’i County Uses Long-Range Models to Mandate Resiliency Standards

The county requires builders to assess potential flood risks using models that account for sea level rise projected as far out as 2100.

September 28 - Smart Cities Dive

Semi truck driving down freeway with twilight sky in background.

California Governor Vetoes Autonomous Truck Ban

Gov. Newsom called the new law unnecessary, citing existing efforts by state regulators to develop new rules around autonomous trucking.

September 28 - Wired

Roadside motel with turquoise room doors in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Low-Barrier Motel Shelter Is a Success—But Not an Easy One

Many guests at Motels4Now are on their second or third stays—but staff say that's doesn't equal failure, and the numbers bear that out.

September 28 - Shelterforce Magazine

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.