Philly, like so many cities, continues to be plagued by housing problems:
How can we keep housing affordable for long-time residents?
How do we uplift neighborhoods without fueling gentrification?
How can we open opportunities for home ownership to people and groups who’ve traditionally been shut out of such conversations?
The problems are not unique to Philly, of course. What is unique to our city is that we have in our midst two of the foremost thought leaders on these questions.
Diana Lind, Executive Director at Arts and Business Council for Greater Philadelphia and Citizen board member, is the author of the new book Brave New Home, which offers a radical reimagining of housing in America, starting with an uncomfortable truth: That our country full of single-family homes is bad for us, and for our planet.
In her book, Lind lays out alternatives, from multi-generational and co-living to micro apartments and tiny house communities, telling the stories of Americans who are forging their own way to a more affordable, more sustainable and more fulfilling home life.
Lind will be interviewed by Bruce Katz, founding director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University and co-author of The New Localism. The two will talk about Lind’s book—called by urbanist Richard Florida “a must read for city leaders, urbanists, and all those concerned with the future of our cities, economy, and society”—and about how Philadelphia’s cutting-edge developers are already transforming the market and how policymakers can address social, economic and environmental issues by rethinking their approach to housing.
“I’m thrilled to talk about anything with an urban policy legend like Bruce,” says Lind. “To talk with him about my own book, and the ways that housing can better respond to today’s social, economic and environmental needs, with an audience of engaged Philadelphians is a real honor.”
Purchase a signed copy of Lind’s book from Head House Books here, and join us next Wednesday; the event is free and will be streamed on Zoom, but you must RSVP in advance here.
Wednesday, October 14, 6pm-7pm, virtual, free.
