Philadelphia

PBS Takes on Urban Planning, Good and Bad, with '10 Towns' Special
Beginning with the first U.S. planned urban development, St. Augustine, Fla., and ending with one of Portland's newest neighborhoods, the Pearl District, host Geoffrey Baer takes us through ten developments that left their mark, for better or worse.
What Eminent Domain Means in North Philadelphia
A panel discussion convened in Philadelphia recently to discuss the effects of eminent domain, that critical and troubling tool that makes redevelopment possible.

Plans for Massive Oil Pipeline to Philadelphia Taking Shape
Oil industry representatives have coalesced behind a plan to connect Philadelphia with the Marcellus Shale region with a large new pipeline. A recently completed conceptual plan for the pipeline is intended to build political support.

Arguing for Philly's Viaduct Rail Park Provide as a Mobility Solution
The High Line is a famous example of urban revitalization, but a useful commuter path it is not. Can a similar proposal in Philadelphia offer the benefits of beautification and mobility?
Amtrak Crash Shuts Down Northeast Corridor Service on Sunday Morning
An Amtrak train that originated in Boston and headed to Savannah, Ga. struck a backhoe working on tracks about 15 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Two Amtrak construction workers in or near the backhoe were killed; 31 train passengers were injured.

The Great Debate: How to Attract Investment in Neglected Urban Areas
With the key assumption that more of Philadelphia needs to see the benefits of the recent wave of investment that has come to the city's urban core, politicians at varying levels of government are considering multiple policy options.
Visualizing Parking in the City of Brotherly Love: Parkadelphia
An intrepid city employee created Philadelphia's first mapping tool for visualizing the layers of regulation and management that govern when, when, and how people park in Philadelphia.
A Critical Take on Philadelphia's Big Innovation District Plans
Philadelphia Inquirer Architecture Critic Inga Saffron digs into the facts and fictions about innovation districts, as the city reveals a third splashy project touting its innovation district bonafides.
Critic Raises Alarms About North Philadelphia Redevelopment Efforts
The Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic of the Philadelphia Inquirer is concerned about the large-scale redevelopment of North Philadelphia, under the leadership of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
New Philadelphia Mayor Pitching $300 Million for Parks and Libraries
Investment in public space is shaping up as a signature initiative for new Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
Political Support Coalesces Around Protected Bike Lanes in Philadelphia
Bike advocates have high hopes for the leadership of newly elected Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. Among Mayor Kenney's campaign promises: to add 30 miles of protected bike lanes.
Philadelphia Getting Its Very Own 'Complete Streets Commissioner'
Philadelphia magazine says a staffing decision by new Mayor Jim Kenney is a big victory for urbanists and bike advocates.

Philadelphia's Old City Finally on a Roll
The comeback story for the city of Philadelphia's oldest neighborhood—Old City—displays the power of community organization and deliberate planning.
Philadelphia Searches for a Place to Feed the Hungry
Urban planning challenge: where to site a large tent for serving meals to the homeless in a revitalizing part of Philadelphia.

Philly Transit Riders Need To Keep Those Tokens Handy, For Now
While most big city transit systems have moved on to electronic passes or paper tickets, Philadelphia's riders are left to deal with tokens and transfer slips until SEPTA's plans for a system upgrade come to fruition.
Parking Spaces Reduced in Center City Philadelphia—Along With Parking Occupancy
Philadelphia is providing a living case study of the tenants of the Donald Shoup-approach to parking.

Introducing 8 Newly Elected Mayors
There's no doubt that cities provide important leadership on countless issues—here are eight new elected mayors tasked with providing the political leadership to make it possible.

New Director of Planning and Development Picked in Philadelphia
The reorganization of planning department functions in the city of Philadelphia was one of the more substantial planning-related results of the November election. Now the new Planning and Development Department is taking shape.
Rowhouses Have an Ally in Philadelphia
An important source of housing affordable to wide ranges of incomes has a new, well-funded ally in Philadelphia—the Healthy Rowhouse Project is hoping to make a big impact in 2016.

Philadelphia Attempts Urban Intervention to Fix Its 'Most Boring Street'
Surrounded on all sides by glassy, modern towers, Philly's West Market Street has lacked the sort of attractions that have brought downtown workers to neighboring streets.
Pagination
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service