Ideas We Should Steal

Wheelchair Ramps Made From LEGOs

Nearly 500 public buildings in Philly—not to mention rowhomes—have barriers to access for people in wheelchairs. Germany’s “LEGO Granny” has a brightly colored way to help

By Michaela Haas
Ideas We Should Steal

Universal Child Care

Massachusetts legislators are working to make their state the first to provide free, high-quality care for children. In Pennsylvania, doing so would bring more women to the workplace—and could add $6 billion to the economy

By Jessica Blatt Press
Ideas We Should Steal

Desegregating the Region

A Connecticut coalition is fighting housing discrimination, and its effects, by taking on a little-understood piece of bureaucracy: zoning laws. Could a similar approach make for a more equitable Philly region?

By Jessica Blatt Press
Ideas We Should Steal

Winterizing Outdoor Dining

Chicago invited citizens to come up with solutions to the challenges of outdoor winter dining. Philly should put out the same call.

By Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme
Ideas We Should Steal

Mental Health Police Reforms That Work

If we really want to honor Walter Wallace Jr., let's look at and consider implementing some of these successful—systemic—solutions from around the world

By Christine Speer Lejeune and Jessica Blatt Press
Ideas We Should Steal

The Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable

Well before this summer’s racial awakening, civic leaders in Buffalo came together to not only talk about race, but work on real systemic change. Is it a model for other cities?

By Larry Platt
Ideas We Should Steal

Citizens’ Assemblies

A growing body of research suggests that the leadership we need right now could—quite literally—be all around us

By Jessica Blatt Press
Ideas We Should Steal

Swap Columbus Day for an Election Day Holiday

The small city of Sandusky, Ohio, cancelled the out-of-step holiday in favor of one much needed. We should do that in Philly, too.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Reduce Gun Violence with Jobs

Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s anti-violence program has helped reduce shootings in Chicago’s South Side by 33 percent—while citywide, violence has spiked. The key? Economic opportunity

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

10 ways to fix our garbage mess

State Rep. Jared Solomon spent a day picking up city trash to understand just how bad Philly is at waste. Here, some ways to do better

By Jessica Blatt Press