Philadelphia

Parking Sign

A Primer on Innovative Parking Regulations

Writing for Smart Growth America, Neha Bhatt provides a survey of innovative parking regulation and management strategies in cities around the country.

August 26, 2014 - Smart Growth America

Placemaking in Communities of All Sizes

A new article from Smart Growth America portrays the successes of placemaking in communities as diverse as Soldotna, Alaska (population 4,163), Orlando, and Philadelphia.

August 25, 2014 - Smart Growth America

Mobile App Helps Battle Graffiti in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's Community Life Improvement Program is using Esri's Collector mobile app to empower their data collection in management. Prior to Collector, the anti-graffiti effort was driven by Excel.

August 12, 2014 - Technical.ly Philly

'Pop-Up Beer Gardens' Hack Pennsylvania's Alcohol License Restrictions

Some restaurants have found ways to circumvent the expense of liquor licenses in Philadelphia by opening pop-up beer gardens operating under a much, much cheaper catering permit. Cue state legislation to curb the practice.

July 24, 2014 - PlanPhilly

Speed Cameras: Working in Chicago; Needed in Philadelphia

In Chicago, speed cameras are proving effective at reducing speeds; in Philadelphia, a police commissioner is lobbying the state to allow the implementation of the cameras.

July 22, 2014 - Chi.Streetsblog

High Line park NYC - Manhattan - New York City

How Park Design Helps Keep Communities Healthy

A review of the healthiest cities in the United States establishes that urban parks play a vital role in the activity of a city. What conclusions can be drawn from each city?

July 20, 2014 - UrbDeZine

City Hall Philadelphia

Philadelphia Zoning Board Called Out for 'Municipal Dysfunction'

Ryan Briggs reports on the state of the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment—although zoning reform was a promise of Mayor Michael Nutter's administration, Briggs finds that inconsistency and mysterious politics still mar the board's decisions.

July 11, 2014 - Philadelphia City Paper

Benefits of Uber in Philadelphia: Reduced Drunk Driving

While much of the concern of how to regulate transportation network companies like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar comes down to questions about safety and access, recent findings show that the apps have reduced DUI arrests in the City of Brotherly Love.

July 9, 2014 - PlanPhilly

City Hall Philadelphia

Is the Millennial Political Revolution Beginning in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia Inquirer Architecture Critic Inga Saffron writes of a possible political awakening among Millennials in Philadelphia in response to the old guard's efforts to stifle progressive parking and zoning decisions.

July 8, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

More Disincentives for Driving Required for Philadelphia to Achieve 'Greenest' Status

Philadelphia's Mayor Michael Nutter has set a policy goal of becoming the "Greenest City in America," but the city's lack of progress in reducing automobile use is a troubling obstacle to such a lofty goal.

July 7, 2014 - Next City

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

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.