Philadelphia

Philadelphia Planners and Police Looking for Pedestrian Safety Solutions

Pedestrian safety in Philadelphia is a mixed bag. While it can often be a pleasant, pedestrian-friendly city, recent pedestrian deaths have highlighted the ongoing need to improve the safety of the Philadelphia's sidewalks and streets.

June 23, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Door Zone

$2.4 Million Settlement for Cyclist Sends Message in 'Dooring' Crash

A precedent-setting settlement for a cyclist run over after being doored should send a message to motorists, both exiting their parked vehicle and when driving, and cyclists when riding adjacent to parked cars.

June 23, 2014 - Streetsblog USA

Planning Neglected in Philadelphia's High School Fire Sale

Inga Saffron asks the tough questions of Philadelphia's sale of University City High School to Drexel University.

June 18, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

A SEPTA R5 commuter train heading for Doylestown, Pennsylvania from Lansdale station.

Obama Intervenes On Philly Rail Strike

President Obama signs executive order to end SEPTA transit strike, establishes emergency labor mediation board in response to Governor Corbett's request.

June 16, 2014 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia-Area Commuter Rail on Strike

Two rail unions have forced a shut-down of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority commuter rail service on Saturday (June 14), but not affecting SEPTA bus, trolley, subway or high speed rail service. Gov. Tom Corbett may take action.

June 15, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Why America Need Architecture Critics like Philadelphia's Inga Saffron

The writing of Inga Saffron "makes an ardent plea for more critics willing to take up the mantle of urban citizenship," according to a recent article in The Architectural Review.

June 12, 2014 - The Architectural Review

Philadelphia City Council Moves Bikeshare Proposal Forward

A council committee has approved a bill that would pave the way for Bicycle Transit Systems to set up a bikeshare program in Philadelphia. The bill now moves to the full council.

June 9, 2014 - Philadelphia Daily News

Pedestrians Only

Lessons from Philadelphia's Newest Pedestrian Plaza

Convincing neighborhood stakeholders and local businesses that shutting down a street to cars is a good idea can be a herculean task. After nine years of work to do just that, a group of advocates in Philadelphia has lessons to share.

June 6, 2014 - This Old City

Shepard Fairey

How 'Hipster Economics' Romanticizes Blight and Compounds Inequality

A recent article refutes arguments used to defend gentrification, and in so doing identifies a culprit in glossing over the negative effects of displacement in areas both urban and suburban: hipster economics.

June 3, 2014 - Al Jazeera

Should the 'Master' Be Removed from Planning?

Activists and officials in Philadelphia are currently debating the chosen nomenclature of one of the largest and most influential forms of planning—master planning.

May 22, 2014 - PlanPhilly

Should Police Write More Jaywalking Tickets in Philadelphia?

A reporter in Philadelphia doesn't hold back the innuendo in a recent article about the city's efforts to improve pedestrian safety. The implication: pedestrians won't be safe until the police start writing jaywalking tickets.

May 16, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Fairmount Park Philadelphia

Critiquing Philadelphia's Fairmount Park Master Plan

Architecture critic Inga Saffron describes a new master plan for Philadelphia's signature piece of open space as "important" and "welcome," but still finds that it falls short in addressing some of the park's critical needs.

May 14, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Continues Zoning Tweeks

The Philadelphia City Council has been busy, proposing multiple bills to rezone a few neighborhoods and parcels around the city. Many of the proposed changes follow the guidance on the city's Philadelphia2035.

May 13, 2014 - PlanPhilly

Nuisance Liens Persist in Philadelphia—City Owed $423 Million

An investigation by the Philadelphia Inquirer finds that Philadelphia is owed $423 million in "nuisance liens" or unpaid bills for the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections. The city has only collected $15.6 million in owed liens since 2009.

May 1, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Happy Ending for Controversial Development Proposal in Philadelphia

Once a developer provokes the ire of the community surrounding a proposed development and the word NIMBY gets bandied about, chances for a mutually beneficial solution are slim to none. Not so with the One Riverside project in Philadelphia.

April 24, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

On the State of Architecture Criticism

Inga Saffron recently joined a very small group of architecture critics to win the Pulitzer Prize. What does her victory say about the state of criticism, especially built environment criticism, today?

April 21, 2014 - Architect

Freeway Cap, Penn’s Landing Waterfront Details Emerging in Philadelphia

Project planners estimate that a $200 million investment in an 11-acre cap park over I-95 that will reconnect the city with the Delaware River could return $1 billion in private investment.

April 18, 2014 - PlanPhilly

Historic Properties Decay in Philadelphia’s Old City

Old City in Philadelphia presents a troubling dichotomy—while the neighborhood is a busy location for redevelopment investment, many of its historic buildings are succumbing to neglect.

April 16, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pulitzer Prize

Pulitzer Prizes Awarded for Urbanism and Built Environment Journalism

The 2014 Pulitzer Prizes yesterday awarded the best work of journalists over the past year. Included in the roster of winners were journalists and publications covering issues of relevance to Planetizen readers.

April 15, 2014 - Pulitzer.org

'Urban Experiential Displays' Proposed for Philadelphia’s Center City

An outdoor advertising company has crafted legislation, expected for City Council review, to allow electronic displays at seven locations in Center City.

April 9, 2014 - Philadelphia Business Journal

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.