Development

“A Place Where Everyone Comes Together”
The architect of Central Park’s Edenic resurgence has retired to our own Rittenhouse Square, where he is the most well-versed park volunteer. Here’s what he thinks we can learn from NYC
By Christine Speer Lejeune
Houses for the Poorest? Or for Middle Class Philadelphians?
We can have both, Philly 3.0’s engagement director argues — if the City can get out of its own way
By Jon Geeting
Ideas We Should Steal: Becoming a Manufacturing Hub
Pennsylvania lags behind Ohio, Michigan and other states in an economy-boosting 21st century manufacturing resurgence. Drexel’s Metro Finance head lays out what PA must do to catch up
By Bruce Katz, Milena Dovali, and Avanti Krovi
Guest Commentary: Chinatown, Equity Partner
Forget a Chinatown community benefits agreement, a Philly native-turned New York storyteller says. The Sixers should offer the neighborhood a real partnership
By Alexander Narvekar Hughes
Guest Commentary: Urban Doom Loop … Really?
A story in the Wall Street Journal last week singled Philly out for having an empty office district. The head of the Center City District wonders: Do facts even matter anymore?
By Paul R. Levy
Ideas We Should Steal: More Parklets
Mini on-street parks in cities like Chicago build community and help businesses thrive. So why doesn’t Philly have more of them?
By Natalie Pompilio
Turning Offices Into Homes
Nearly half of all Center City office space is vacant, while the need for available housing persists. Drexel’s Metro Finance head offers lessons from other cities on how to bridge that gap
By Bruce Katz
Memo to Madam Mayor: Radically Rethink Transit
The next in a series of political and policy advice to presumptive Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker offers a new way to think about getting around from a former city transportation official
By Robert Ravelli