Pennsylvania
Boyd Theatre in Philadelphia Subject of Preservation Battle
Developers are seeking allowances to gut the historic Boyd Theatre in Philadelphia to build an eight-screen movie complex.
Philadelphia Skyscraper Rewrites the Corporate Headquarters Script
Comcast recently released designs for a $1.2 billion skyscraper in Downtown Philadelphia. The building’s potential starkly contrasts the suburban model of commercial office parks.
Pittsburgh Suburbs Struggle with Growing Poverty Rates
The new paradigm of poverty is playing out in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: the majority of individuals in poverty live the suburbs, where the impacts of poverty are harder to identify.
New Pittsburgh Mayor Embarks on "Monumental Shift"
With today's inauguration, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is embarking on a "monumental shift in both style and substance in the mayor's office," reports Moriah Balingit. The biggest question facing the progressive mayor is where to begin.
SEPTA Plans How to Spend Gas Tax Windfall
With a transformative transportation law now on the books, Pennsylvania's largest transit system has turned from planning for "doomsday" to "payday" as it decides how to allocate a twofold increase in capital spending.
New York Has it Both Ways on Natural Gas
Plentiful natural gas produced from neighboring Pa. makes it easier for New York City buildings to comply with a regulation to convert dirty heating oil burners to use cleaner fuels like natural gas while the state has a six-year fracking moratorium
Transit, Biking and Walking are Big Winners in Pennsylvania Gas Tax Increase
Gas tax increases can mean more road funding, period, particularly where constitutional restrictions prohibit spending gas tax revenues on other modes, as exists in Pa.; yet all modes will benefit from the 28-cent gas tax increase legislation.
Will Washington State Be Next to Increase its Gas Tax?
With Pa.'s Republican governor signing a dramatic gas tax increase bill on Monday, will Washington state follow in their footsteps in forging a bipartisan deal between the Republicans who control the Senate and the Democrat majority in the House?
Pennsylvania Gas Tax Hike Clears House
In a dramatic 24-hour turnaround, the House voted to support Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal to lift the cap on the state's oil franchise tax that could potentially add 28 cents to gas prices. A prevailing wage issue caused the bill's defeat earlier.
Could Vacant Schools Help Meet Philly's Affordable Housing Needs?
In Philadelphia, and other cities going through demographic changes, shuttered schools provide a challenge and opportunity for redevelopment and reuse. Two board members of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) offer a creative solution.
Mayoral Candidate Portrays Plans for Pittsburgh's Grand Boulevard
Bill Peduto isn't waiting for his presumptive election as Pittsburgh's mayor next month to detail his vision for creating a more livable city. He's calling for an 11-block stretch of Smithfield Street in Downtown to become a grand boulevard.
Seeking an Automotive Balance in Philly
The city continues to grapple with the practical implications of local planning legend Edmund Bacon's prescriptions for carless streets.
Will Removing Buses Improve Downtown Pittsburgh?
The Port Authority of Allegheny County is moving forward with plans to remove buses and bus stops from Downtown Pittsburgh in an effort to decrease congestion on the streets and sidewalks. The plan is supported by the presumptive next mayor.
America's First Non-Profit Supermarket Provides a Model for Alleviating Food Deserts
Last weekend a new supermarket opened in Chester, Pennsylvania. But this isn't just another Safeway, Chester's groundbreaking non-profit supermarket could provide a model for areas across the country struggling to attract full-service grocers.
Can a Land Bank Help Dispose of Philadelphia's 40,000 Vacant Properties?
Seeking to stabilize healthy neighborhoods and revitalize others, Philadelphia is planning to establish a land bank to "consolidate its inventory of distressed real estate," reports Jon Hurdle. The plan could become a national model.
Unusual Approach to Public Engagement Produces Exciting Results in Philadelphia
Rather than bringing a powerpoint presentation and ritzy renderings to a meeting with neighborhood residents, developer Omar Blaik brought blank sheets of paper. The result? A process devoid of the usual rancor and a denser design than zoning allows.
Philly Swaps Squad Cars for Foot Patrols
Philadelphia's police force has increased the proportion of police on foot in its most violent neighborhoods. Not everyone likes the new presence, but the change has has achieved remarkable reductions in violent crime.
Pittsburgh's Mayoral Candidate Pitches Light Rail Expansion
The University of Pittsburgh's student newspaper reports on mayoral candidate Bill Peduto's proposal to extend the city's light rail system to connect to Oakland, where three of the city's largest employers (including Pitt) reside.
Steel City Rolls and Strolls to a New Identity
In advance of their annual biking, walking, and placemaking conference, the Project for Public Spaces identifies five elements that the make Pittsburgh a unique destination for 'rolling and strolling'.
Downtown Defrost: Pittsburgh Engages Artists to Warm Up Public Spaces
Keeping public spaces active and attractive during the winter months is a common challenges in cold weather climates. Pittsburgh is seeking ideas from artists to help enliven downtown's Market Square during the depths of winter.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
