Philadelphia may lose its world-famous skateboarding landmark with the renovation of its LOVE Park plaza, flaring a decade-old debate that has made international headlines.
Philadelphia's LOVE Park, a dead plaza in the 1980s, was brought back to life by skateboarding, transforming this downtown plaza into an international hub of a multi-billion-dollar sport. When the City enforced a skateboarding ban back in 2002, a coalition of advocates raised over $1 million, gained 10,000 petition signatures from 40 nations, and editorials in the city's major daily newspapers in support of re-opening the park to skateboarding.
Because of LOVE Park, Philadelphia hosted the X Games two years in a row and was home to some of the nation's top professional skateboarders. However, City government turned down a $1 million from California-based DC Shoes to reopen the park to skateboarding. The city is now moving ahead on renovating the plaza to discourage skateboarding. The issue is at the heart of a larger debate around the acceptability of skateboarding as part of a mixed-use urban environment.
Thanks to Greg Heller
FULL STORY: Philadelphia has one last chance for skateboarding at LOVE Park
Skateboarding Is Good for Cities, But Some Cities Don't Realize It
Some cities treat skateboarders like a plague, and that's a planning faux pas, according to this article.
Review: Philadelphia's Iconic Love Park Gets a Major Makeover
Architecture Critic Inga Saffron gives a less-than-stellar review of the newly revealed revamp of Philadelphia's Love Park.
Details Emerge for Philadelphia's LOVE Park Redo
One of the country's most scrutinized and anticipated renovation projects, Philadelphia's LOVE Park, has been unveiling critical design decisions in recent weeks.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions