When Campus Planning Becomes City Planning

The University of Pensylvannia has invested millions of dollars into West Philadelphia, but the "Neighhbors Against McPenntrification" aren't happy about it.

1 minute read

March 25, 2005, 6:00 AM PST

By David Gest


The University of Pennslyvania "is the largest employer in Philadelphia and has a $3 billion budget, the same as the city." Out of "enlightened self-interest," i.e. in order to boost the image of its surrounding neighborhood in order to improve its own image, Penn has built a multi-million dollar school, "increased the number of street lights and hired more university police officers to increase safety [in West Philadelphia]. The university also added trees and signage along the sidewalk and streets." Penn also "created a program called the Neighborhood Housing Preservation Fund" to encourage homeownership in the area, and implemented a "Buy West Philadelphia" program, in which "the university purchases all of its goods, such as catering services, from local stores," dumping millions of dollars into the local economy. A win-win situation for university and neighborhood, or just another case of gentrification? Guess what the "Neighhbors Against McPenntrification" think.

Thanks to David Gest

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 in Columbia University

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8 - The Spokesman-Review

Close-up on black and white "Bike Lane Ends" sign with bike logo.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane

The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.

July 8 - Houston Public Media

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA