Begin Here

Good morning, Philadelphia. I’m Ashley and this is Eyes on the Street, your new blog on the block.

I’m here to talk with you about good design, great neighborhoods, vibrant communities, interesting architecture past/present/future, smart planning and development projects, and the many people who make those things happen in Philadelphia.

So, what can you expect from Eyes on the Street? Practically speaking, I’ll begin the day with a digest of fresh newsy bits about Philadelphia urbanism collected from around the web. During the week, I’ll share a selection of public events and  offer a preview of what PlanPhilly’s writers are up to for the week. In between all of that, you’ll see photo essays, meeting recaps, dispatches from neighborhoods, video clips, commentary about projects, big ideas, profiles of do-right Philadelphians making this city a little bit better, and things we haven’t thought of yet. With your participation, Eyes on the Street will also be a daily dialogue among Philadelphians about the fabric of this city.

Eyes on the Street is a work in progress just like Philadelphia, and my hope is that we’ll shape it together.

For now, let’s begin with some hypothetical questions:

How is Eyes on the Street different from PlanPhilly? I thought that PlanPhilly is a blog. PlanPhilly is an online news source that takes a traditional journalistic approach to its coverage. Eyes on the Street is a blog and will be more nimble and less formal than its older sibling, PlanPhilly. For more about PlanPhilly, look here. For more about Eyes on the Street, go here.

Who’s behind Eyes on the Street? I’m Ashley Hahn, blogger-in-chief. I’m a planner and preservationist by training and trade, so I bring a critical eye to the coverage you’ll find here. When I’m not working out of PlanPhilly H.Q., I’ll be out and about in the city. If you see me, say hi. Let’s talk.

Why bother? This is a rich moment for planning and development in Philadelphia, and there’s lots of ground to cover. Where PlanPhilly goes deep into process and covers citywide planning issues well, Eyes on the Street seeks to connect that news with the experience of living in Philadelphia.

You say this is a dialogue, how can I participate? There are lots of ways to participate, and this blog is an opportunity for you to help drive the news. I know you’ve got a lot to say about the past, present, and future of this city. I hope you’ll share those thoughts here. Learn more by visiting the ENGAGE section of the site.

Have a different question? Go ahead and ask in the comments below. Or email eyesonthestreet@planphilly.com