Philadelphia

On-Street Parking

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.

May 17, 2018 - PlanPhilly

Bus Service

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.

May 3, 2018 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia

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.

April 26, 2018 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia

Growth Centers on Philadelphia's Downtown, But Poverty Persists Elsewhere

An opinion piece points out the inequities of growth in contemporary Philadelphia.

April 24, 2018 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Fire Escape

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.

April 22, 2018 - Curbed

Downtown Philadelphia

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.

April 13, 2018 - PlanPhilly

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.

April 11, 2018 - PlanPhilly

Philadelphia Urban Farm

Development Boom Threatens Philadelphia’s Urban Agriculture

As land values rise, more than 200 community gardens in Philadelphia could be lost to redevelopment.

April 10, 2018 - Plan Philly

SEPTA transit map

'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.

April 10, 2018 - The Philadelphia Citizen

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.

April 8, 2018 - PlanPhilly

Transit Ridership

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.

April 3, 2018 - The Washington Post

Society Hill Philadelphia

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.

April 3, 2018 - PlanPhilly

Dilworth park

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.

March 31, 2018 - PlanPhilly

Bike Lane in Philadelphia

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.

March 21, 2018 - The Philadelphia Inquirer - Philly.com

Temple Band

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.

March 13, 2018 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

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.

February 24, 2018 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Reading Viaduct

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.

February 21, 2018 - The Philadelphia Citizen

Trees and People

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.

February 20, 2018 - Next City

New York City WiFi

Watch the Olympics on Digital Kiosks

Three cities around the country have the hardware to provide coverage of the Olympics in public.

February 9, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Urban Design for Medical Students

A co-curricular program at a Philadelphia medical school integrates public health and city planning.

February 5, 2018 - Next City

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.