In Defense of Market-Rate Housing

Yes, we need more affordable homes for more Philadelphians. This is an underlooked way to get there

By Jon Geeting

Mayoral Misdiagnosis?

Cherelle Parker’s budget boiled down to jobs versus housing. Did she and City Council make the right bet?

By Larry Platt

How Mayor Parker Wants to Spend Your Money in 2026

A visual representation of the per-resident cost of the City's budget — and how it has changed from last year — in partnership with Committee of Seventy

By Nick Hand

Parker’s Gun Violence Prevention Plan

The Mayor’s budget would maintain programs that she says helped drive down shootings, despite uncertainty under President Donald Trump

By Mensah M. Dean
The New Urban Order

Move Fast and Build Things

What if Philly and other cities actually fixed problems ... quickly?

By Diana Lind

What’s the Plan, Cherelle?

Bringing city workers back sends an important "open for business" message. But a new report shows Philly lagging behind in adjusting to work from home. Is now the time for a broad economic revival plan?

By Larry Platt
Art for Change

When a Civics Lesson is also an Artwork

Phoebe Bachman builds opportunities for collaboration and civic engagement, including a pop-up space that artistically re-imagines the City’s budget office, open now at LOVE Park. The latest in a series with Forman Arts Initiative.

By RJ Rushmore
Your City Defined

The City Budget

Mayor Parker kicked off budget season with her $6 billion budget proposal to City Council. Here’s what that means, and what happens now

By J.P. Romney
Ideas We Should Steal

Letting Citizens Shape Philly’s Budget

South Bend, Indiana proactively boosted resident feedback in its budget season through its 311 line and by meeting citizens where they are. Could the same efforts in Philly create a budget that reflects residents’ priorities?

By Malcolm Burnley

Investment? What Investment?

Philly is blowing its chance to use its federal rescue funds to directly address intractable problems. Will Mayor Parker’s new budget follow Governor Shapiro’s blueprint and propose an “invest and grow” plan?

By Larry Platt