Philadelphia's 'Gridlock' - Too Much Of A Good Thing?

Center City’s narrow streets and dense concentration contribute to an exciting and walkable urban center. Yet, the increase in visitors and residents has resulted in an increase in the number of vehicles and delivery trucks in search of parking.

1 minute read

June 3, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By bginsberg99


There appears to be no single cause as congestion in Center City may be characterized by double-parked delivery trucks, abuse of loading zones, buses, taxis, pedestrians, street work, inefficient traffic patterns and a lack of parking regulation enforcement. Through countless and unpredictable delays caused by any number of issues or incidents, congestion results in costly economic effects through a loss of efficiency and increased operating costs, negative health effects through increased stress and emissions from constantly idling, accelerating and braking vehicles and an overall detrimental impact on the urban fabric of the historic streets and squares. As the article suggests, increased enforcement of exiting parking and loading regulations is an integral element of congestion management.

Thanks to Ben Ginsberg

Friday, June 1, 2007 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Brick buildings on small town street with red awnings on first floor businesses.

Research: Walkability Linked to Improved Public Health

A study reveals that the density of city blocks is a significant factor in communities’ walkability and, subsequently, improved public health outcomes for residents.

March 26 - Great Lakes Echo

Aerial view of neighborhood under construction with houses and vacant lots.

Report Outlines Strategies for Resilient Wildfire Recovery in LA

Project Recovery offers a roadmap for rebuilding more sustainable and climate-resilient communities after wildfires and other disasters.

March 26 - Urban Land Institute

Red rock landscape in Bears Ears National Monument, Utah.

New Executive Order Renews Attack on Public Lands

An order issued late last week pushes for increased mineral extraction on federally owned public lands.

March 26 - Rocky Mountain Community Radio