Pennsylvania

Doctor's Row

Preservation Blind Spot Apparent on Philly's Black 'Doctor's Row'

Christian Street, known at the beginning of the 20th century as the Black "Doctor's Row" should have been on the Historic Register years ago, according to this article.

December 30, 2020 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania

Lawsuit Challenges PennDOT's NEPA Process on Erie Bayfront Parkway

Despite 80% of survey respondents wanting a reduction in volume on Erie's waterfront parkway and improved pedestrian and bicycle access to the city's waterfront, PennDOT plans instead to double traffic as part of a $120 million high-speed bypass.

December 24, 2020 - Earth Justice

Rittenhouse Square

Residential Development Tax to Fund Affordable Housing Programs

Philadelphia's city council passed the city's first-ever residential development impact tax, a plan that could boost the city budget by $9 million a year.

December 18, 2020 - WHYY

Ambulance

Hospitals and Healthcare Workers Brace for Influx of COVID Patients

Coronavirus infections, while at record-high levels, have decreased during the past week, unlike hospitalizations, which are still surging. Public health experts expect it to get a lot worse due to the Thanksgiving holiday travel.

December 3, 2020 - Bloomberg News

Cash Buyout

New Law Protects Homeowners From Wholesale Buyers in Philly

The new law won't stop the forces of gentrification, but it should stop one of gentrification's most pernicious symptoms.

December 3, 2020 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Schenley Park

$1.9 Billion in Development Investment Planned for Pittsburgh's Innovation District

Pittsburgh has one of the most lucrative innovation districts in the country, and even more development investment is on the way.

November 24, 2020 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Trump Administration

Petition Seeks Landmark Status for Philadelphia's Four Seasons

Four Seasons Total Landscaping. Was that not clear?

November 20, 2020 - The Oregonian

Lehigh River

The 'Marshall Plan for Middle America' Plans $600 Million in Clean Energy Investments

A coalition of leaders in the Appalachian region recently released the "Marshall Plan for Middle America" to create jobs and transition the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky away from fossil fuels.

November 17, 2020 - StateImpact Pennsylvania

Glenwood Green Acres, Philadelphia

One Key, Underappreciated Affordable Housing Strategy: Repairing Existing Homes

The city of Philadelphia offers a case study for the challenges and potential benefits of home repair programs.

November 12, 2020 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Winter Markets

Winter Is Coming—Capitalize on It

Outdoor dining programs have provided relief for local restaurants and retailers, while offering an oasis of social life for residents. The winter months will challenge that momentum, but creative, flexible approaches can save the day again.

November 9, 2020 - Andrew M. Manshel

Society Hill Historic Buildings

Downzoning for Society Hill Back on After the Philadelphia City Council Overrides Mayoral Veto

One of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Philadelphia is increasing parking requirements and limiting building heights at all costs.

October 26, 2020 - WHYY

Downtown Philadelphia

Pandemic's Economic Realities Bolster Case for a Land Value Tax

The example of Philadelphia shows how a land value tax could provide relief to residents and the city's finances.

October 18, 2020 - WHYY

Society Hill Historic Buildings

Mayoral Veto Kills Controversial Philadelphia Downzoning

The mayor, planning staff, and the Philadelphia Planning Commission agree. The Philadelphia City Council and residents of the wealthy neighborhood of Society Hill, not so much.

October 15, 2020 - WHYY

Coronavirus in Oregon

Strange Days: Outrage Absent as Businesses Reclaim Parking Spots

It took a pandemic, but the worldwide effort to move restaurant and retail businesses outside, at the expense of parking, is proving far less controversial than it would have before the coronavirus swept the globe.

October 6, 2020 - NPR

Homelessness

Vacant Properties Occupied by Homeless Families Turned Over to Community Land Trust

A major victory in the fight for housing justice has been achieved in Philadelphia.

October 5, 2020 - Philadelphia Housing Action

Society Hill Historic Buildings

Newly Exclusionary Zoning Expected for Approval in Philadelphia Neighborhood

The Philadelphia City Council is expected to approve new zoning for Society Hill over the objections of the Planning Commission and city planning staff.

September 29, 2020 - KYW

The Oval+

Covid-19 Outdoor Dining Rules Could Last Through 2021 in Philadelphia

Emergency outdoor dining regulations approved in June and set to expired in December could now be extended through the coming year.

September 28, 2020 - WHYY

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Revealed: $2.2 Billion Redevelopment Plan for Philadelphia's Waterfront

The city of Philadelphia has a new, highly anticipated plan for a valuable site on the Delaware River waterfront.

September 9, 2020 - WHYY

William Penn

Using Artificial Intelligence to Map Telecommuting Prevalence

In the Philadelphia region, residents of wealthier neighborhoods will be more likely to work from home in the future, thus altering travel patterns and transit usage, according to a new mapping project powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

September 9, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Community Opposition and a Rezoning Controversy in Philadelphia

The local councilmember is seeking a rezoning from commercial to residential in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, but local community members say the development will be priced out of their range.

September 3, 2020 - WHYY

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.

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.