It's Official: Philadelphia Planning Offices Reorganized

The new Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development combines agencies that formerly oversaw housing, development, and planning.

1 minute read

July 9, 2017, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Philadelphia City Hall

4kclips / Shutterstock

"In a reorganization this week, most of Philadelphia’s distinct housing, development, and planning agencies have been officially united under a single Department of Planning and Development," reports Jake Blumgart.

More details of the new organizational structure for Philadelphia's Department of Planning and Development:

The department will be divided into three divisions. One will include the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Historical Commission, the Art Commission, and staff for the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Development Services agency, formerly housed in the Commerce Department, will be expanded and housed in its own division. Finally, the city’s housing agencies will have their own silo comprised of the Division of Housing and Community Development, which will facilitate coordination with the independent Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation, and the Philadelphia Land Bank.

Planetizen has been tracking the reorganization since its earliest inception in September 2014, through a temporary set back in January 2015, and a voter referendum in November 2015.

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