Event

URBAN STUDIES PUBLIC CONVERSATION SERIES: 

CAN URBAN DEVELOPMENT BE A VEHICLE FOR EQUITY IN PHILADELPHIA?

Since 2001, Urban Studies at Penn has organized conversations to address topics of critical importance to the City of Philadelphia. Each panel brings together academic and policy researchers, policy makers, and practitioners to participate from their different vantage points. Panels are also coordinated to fit within a specific course in the URBS undergraduate curriculum.

This year, we have three panels address the question "Can Urban Development be a Vehicle for Equity in Philadelphia?" We will examine recent efforts to shape development in Philadelphia and explore how these efforts are contributing to the city's identity, economic growth, and social vibrancy; and how they might mitigate displacement, loss of history, or a fractured civic life and culture. 

The Public Conversation Series is, as always, free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Fels Policy Research Initiative.

For questions, email: urbs@sas.upenn.edu or call 215-898-6948.

REBUILD: Philadelphia's Ambitious Civic Infrastructure Project
FEBRUARY 21 | 5-7pm
Ben Franklin Room 218, Houston Hall

Panelists: Nicole Westerman, Executive Director of Rebuild
Jamies Gauthier, Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Conservancy   
Malcolm Burnley, Freelance Journalist
Elizabeth Greenspan, Penn Praxis Senior Researcher

 

VACANT LAND: Transformation for what and for whom?
MARCH 15 | 5-7pm
Ben Franklin Room 218, Houston Hall

Panelists:

Michael Braverman, Commissioner of Housing and Community Development, City of Baltimore
Ira Goldstein, President of Policy Solutions at Reinvestment Fund
Nora Lichtash, Executive Director of Women's Community Revitalization Project
Jennifer Kates, Esq., Chief of Staff for the Office of Councilwoman Helen Gym

 

ZONING: Intended and Unintended Consequences
APRIL 10 | 5:30-7:30pm
Amado Recital Hall Room 110, Irvine Auditorium

Panelists:

Karen Black, CEO of May 8 Consulting, Inc.
Emily Dowdall, Chief of Development and Policy Implementation at Reinvestment Fund
Jeff Hornstein, Executive Director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia and Chair of Crosstown Coalition
Andrew Goodman, Community Engagement Director of New Kensington Community Development Corporation