Planning Case Study: the Philadelphia2035 River Wards District Plan

Matt Golas reports on the current state of the 10-month planning process for the Philadelphia2035 River Wards District Plan, which recently began holding public meetings.

Here is how Golas describes the planning challenge presented by the River Wards:

"The River Wards are dense rowhouse neighborhoods located to the east of the Market-Frankford El. Since large factories left the district, many residents have struggled to find new employment. New big-box retail stores along formerly industrial Aramingo Ave. provide entry-level jobs and convenience shopping. However, the shopping on Aramingo Ave. adds to traffic congestion and competes with traditional commercial districts like Kensington Avenue, Girard Avenue and Allegheny Avenue."

Golas describes more of the challenges facing these transitioning neighborhoods, including a full video of the meeting held on January 13, 2015, which included a presentation of the work completed so far on the River Wards District Plan [pdf].