THE PHILADELPHIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION is responsible for guiding the orderly growth and development of the City of Philadelphia. The staff consists of architects, planners, and urban designers supported by geographic information system, administrative, and clerical personnel. The Executive Director and agency staff provide the Commission with a comprehensive overview on an increasingly wide range of planning issues. According to its website, its original "narrow emphasis on land use controls, facilities planning, and physical planning specified by the Home Rule Charter has become greatly enlarged by an equal emphasis on non-physical development issues such as economic development, human services delivery, and housing policy."
THE DELAWARE VALLEY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION is a quasi-governmental body formed by Pennsylvania and New Jersey to coordinate regional planning. It provides both government and private agencies with a variety of services such as impact studies, long-range regional plans and technical assistance.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVE, CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, unveiled in April 2001, calls itself "an unprecedented effort to counter the history of decline in the City of Philadelphia and revitalize its neighborhoods. NTI is a multifaceted program designed to renew and strengthen entire communities, to ensure quality housing, clean and secure streets and vibrant cultural and recreational outlets. This effort will enhance job creation, public safety and economic opportunity. NTI is changing Philadelphia from the ground up."
THE PENN INSTITUTE FOR URBAN RESEARCH is an interdisciplinary center that researches the state of local, national and international urbanization and "urban challenges in the 21st century." Among its initiatives, it hosted a conference on urban design and convened a 2006 symposium titled "Rebuilding Urban Places After Disaster: Lessons from Hurricane Katrina." It also held public talks on topics including globalization, predatory lending, and urban casinos.
THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY is the producer of the Philadelphia Flower Show and home to Philadelphia Green -- billed as the nation's most comprehensive urban greening program. Since 1974, it has supported the development and ongoing care of community gardens, neighborhood parks and high-profile public green spaces in Philadelphia. Working with neighborhood residents, community organizations and city agencies, it "enables and empowers" people to make the city a more attractive and livable place through horticulture.
RUTGERS-CAMDEN LAW SCHOOL has a professor who focuses on "the intersections of urban planning and property law, with an emphasis on local economic development and land use." A onetime urban planner, he has taught urban ecology and urban planning.
THE UNIVERSITY CITY DISTRICT was established in 1997 to "maintain a clean and safe environment and to promote, plan, and advocate for University City's diverse, urban community." Its staff manages programs and services that enhance public space, increase public safety, assist homeowners and commercial and rental property owners, and promote University City attractions. UCD is managed by a board of directors representing institutions in education, health care, and scientific and medical research as well as representatives of University City's business and residential communities.
THE MURAL ARTS PROGRAM has created over 2,600 murals and works of public art since 1984, earning Philadelphia international recognition as the "City of Murals." MAP's free art education programs serve nearly 3,000 at-risk youth at sites throughout the city, and offers special educational outreach programs in local prisons and rehabilitation centers. It is a unique public/private venture of the City of Philadelphia Managing Director's Office and nonprofit Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates.
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY'S HISTORY DEPARTMENT has a specialist in urban history who is "on race and class and the creation and destruction of urban spaces. My most recent book on Atlantic City, New Jersey explores these issues."
THE AVENUE OF THE ARTS INC. is an independent nonprofit created in 1993 to coordinate and oversee cultural and related development along North and South Broad Street (from Glenwood to Washington Avenue). AAI works closely with the state, the city, corporations and foundations, claiming a unique role as the coordinator, advocate, liaison and catalyst for the Avenue of the Arts District.
THE CENTER CITY DISTRICT is a business improvement, or special services district, supported by mandatory assessments on real property and governed by a private-sector board. The CCD was founded in 1990 when over 2,000 property owners, commercial tenants and employers, along with the City of Philadelphia, agreed to establish a private-sector business improvement district committed to keeping the downtown clean, safe and attractive. Under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Municipality Authorities Act, the CCD was authorized to provide security, cleaning and promotion services.
THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF ECONOMICS is an advocacy group that promotes "Land Value Taxation" as a fair method of taxation, as opposed to the current system of taxing labor and capital. It assists governments in studying the effect of land-based property taxation. The Center argues that taxation of labor and capital in urban areas "is one the driving forces to the contraction and decay of our cities."
