Pennsylvania

Google Maps street view of Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia

Philadelphia Seeks Federal Funding to Improve One of its Deadliest Streets

Local officials hope to use federal infrastructure funding to make safety improvements on Roosevelt Boulevard, where more than a tenth of the city’s traffic deaths happen.

June 5, 2022 - Insurance Journal

View of Washington Avenue, Phialdelphia

Washington Avenue Road Diet Less Likely

After one city councilmember refused to advocate for changing parking rules in his district, Philadelphia’s Washington Avenue could end up with two different safety configurations.

May 31, 2022 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Aerial view of West Chester, Pennsylvania

Record Number of Homes Built in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Chester County, one of the state’s wealthiest, saw more homes built in 2021 than any year since 2001.

May 25, 2022 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Aerial view of Main Street, Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania

Report: Black Homebuyers in Pennsylvania Still Face Discrimination

People of color are more likely to be denied loans, perpetuating historic redlining practices and blocking families from accumulating intergenerational wealth through homeownership.

May 12, 2022 - WESA

Cyclist riding on a downtown Pittsburgh bike lane

Pittsburgh Plans Pedestrian-Friendly Makeover on Downtown Street

Pittsburgh’s Smithfield Street could gain wider sidewalks, a bike lane, and more green space.

May 5, 2022 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

City Hall Philadelphia

Philadelphia Leads the Way in Adaptive Reuse

Philadelphia, a city rife with historic architecture, seeks to incentivize more conversion of historic buildings into housing.

May 2, 2022 - Axios

Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh To Assess Limited-Equity Coops as Affordable Housing Tool

The mutual housing developments known as limited-equity cooperatives give lower-income residents an opportunity to buy into a building where they could not otherwise afford it.

April 27, 2022 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A bus stop in Philadelphia, where people wait under a glass shelter for a bus as it arrives.

How Pennsylvania Will Benefit From Federal Transit Funding

Pennsylvania is set to receive over $600 million for public transit and mobility, but state leaders have yet to make decisions about specific projects.

April 13, 2022 - WDIY

Protected Bike Lane

Protected Bike Lanes Deliver Numerous Benefits, Study Says. But Is it Enough to Change State Law?

Advocates in Philadelphia are pushing state lawmakers to finally pass a law to make it easier to install protected bike lanes on state routes.

April 13, 2022 - PlanPhilly

Intercity Buses

American Airlines Latest to Replace Flights With Bus Service

A trend is emerging in intercity travel in an era of pilot shortages and high fuel prices: intercity buses are replacing flights for shorter regional trips.

April 12, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Subway Station

How Transit Agencies Can Offer Supportive Services

As more people experiencing homelessness seek shelter in transit facilities, transit agencies are looking for ways to offer assistance and reduce interactions with law enforcement.

April 5, 2022 - The New York Times

Floodplain

FEMA Flood Mitigation Initiative Will Pay Homeowners To Move

The Swift Current grant program will distribute $60 million to homeowners in high-risk counties to help pay for flood mitigation measures or relocation.

March 24, 2022 - Grist

U-Haul moving truck in front of white house and trees

Making Homeownership Work Better

Programs that help households of color buy homes haven't made much of a dent in the racial wealth gap. But some strategies could generate better outcomes for buyers.

March 23, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

Close-up of row of Healthy Ride bike share bicycles

Pittsburgh To Revamp its Bike Share System With E-Bikes, New Stations

The system overhaul is partly due to nextbike's shift to focusing on its European markets. The new fleet will include 350 e-bikes and expand service to new neighborhoods.

March 21, 2022 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

SEPTA Station

Riders Getting Stuck in SEPTA Tunnels Due to Increased Security Measures

As ridership dropped during the pandemic, Philadelphia's transit agency started locking station doors to keep unhoused people from using the tunnels as shelter. Now, riders are becoming trapped inside.

March 21, 2022 - Billy Penn

On-Street Parking

Philadelphia 'Diversion Program' Prevents Evictions Through Mediation

A program that provides mediation between landlords and tenants has helped a majority of applicants avoid eviction, signaling a promising avenue for renter assistance as landlords seek to recoup COVID-era losses.

March 4, 2022 - Next City

Philadelphia, Chinatown

Equitable Development Plan Aims To Protect Philly's Chinatown

As the historic neighborhood experiences increased redevelopment around the new Rail Park, community activists are working to ensure older residents and businesses aren't displaced in the process.

March 2, 2022 - Next City

 Building in Washington Avenue Historic District

Why a Complete Streets Makeover Went Awry in Philadelphia

The city pulled the plug on a proposed street redesign after community groups criticized the public engagement process for not listening to all local voices.

February 28, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Oil

Democrats Balk at Gov. Newsom's Gas Tax Holiday

Saving motorists 3 cents a gallon may be a slam dunk for Republican leaders in the California legislature who opposed hiking the gas tax in the first place, but Democratic leaders are reluctant to tamper with a hard-fought legislative and ballot win.

February 22, 2022 - The Associated Press

Pennsylvania

Will Philly's New Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Yield Results?

City leaders hope a new affordable housing law will increase the supply of affordable units in the city, but critics say the policy may lead to reduced construction and higher housing costs.

February 21, 2022 - Bisnow

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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