Philadelphia

Philadelphia Law Would Raise Parking Minimums
Swaths of the city of Philadelphia could see increased parking minimums if a new version of a bill that failed in 2016 makes its way through City Council.

Transit Systems, Advertising, and Free Speech: Lawsuit Puts Big Debate to the Test
The ACLU is bringing a lawsuit against SEPTA, saying the transit agency's advertising policy runs afoul of the First Amendment. Some $16 million in annual revenue is at stake.

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.

Growth Centers on Philadelphia's Downtown, But Poverty Persists Elsewhere
An opinion piece points out the inequities of growth in contemporary Philadelphia.

10 U.S. Cities Launch Anti-Displacement Network
More than half of American tenants are rent-burdened, putting them at risk of displacement. A national collaboration with PolicyLink hopes to help.

Philadelphia Leaders Announce Affordable Housing Package—Inclusionary Zoning Not Included
Philadelphia will create a one percent "construction impact tax" to help fund affordable housing projects around the city.
The Philadelphia Design District Makes its Debut
Long a hub of creative workers in Philadelphia, a collaboration of companies based in the Old City neighborhood in Philadelphia has rebranded as the Philadelphia Design District.

Development Boom Threatens Philadelphia’s Urban Agriculture
As land values rise, more than 200 community gardens in Philadelphia could be lost to redevelopment.

'Jumpstart Germantown' Aims for the Antidote to Gentrification
A new program based in the Germantown neighborhood in Philadelphia aims to encourage community ownership of urban re-investment.
Subway Extension Price Jumps in Philadelphia
A proposal to extend the Broad Street subway line in Philadelphia is intended to attract new commercial and residential development in the city's Navy Yard. A change in construction technique is driving up the cost, however.

Transit Ridership Should Worry Americans More
Ridership declines mean falling revenues for transit agencies, and could be the beginning of a cycle of service cuts and fare increases leading to yet more ridership declines.

Philadelphia Gentrification: A Historical Perspective
Gentrified in the 1960s during the height of urban renewal, Society Hill is a historical precedent as Philadelphia confronts present-day gentrification.

Big Philadelphia Parks Bond on Hold While Funding Debated in Court
The Rebuild initiative in Philadelphia depends on funding generated by a 1.5 cents-an-ounce tax on sugary beverages. The tax is in effect, but $300 million in bonds have to wait for a court decision about the tax.

Op-Ed: Philadelphia City Council Shouldn't Be Able to Block Bike Lanes
The Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board pushes against a proposed bill that increases City Council oversight of new bike lanes. Traffic calming, the Inquirer argues, requires a citywide approach.

North Philly Revolts in Face of Temple University Football Stadium Plans
Public concern boiled over last week at a town hall meeting intended to discuss the proposed development of a stadium to house Temple University's football team in North Philadelphia.

After Another Catastrophic Fire, Reexamining Fire Safety in Philadelphia
"Why does Old City keep burning?" That's the question posed by Philadelphia Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron.

Working to Avoid the Pitfalls of the High Line
A highly anticipated linear park project in Philadelphia will open this year. Planners and activists have been working in anticipation of increased pressure on the local housing market.

Report Details the Long-Term Financial Benefits of Green Design
This report estimates that U.S. cities could save half a trillion dollars by investing in "smart surface technologies." The study takes into account obvious factors like energy use and less intuitive ones like tourism revenues.

Watch the Olympics on Digital Kiosks
Three cities around the country have the hardware to provide coverage of the Olympics in public.

Urban Design for Medical Students
A co-curricular program at a Philadelphia medical school integrates public health and city planning.
Pagination
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.
Smith Gee Studio
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City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)