PlanPhilly’s Philly Tech Week event picks

Since last month, PlanPhilly has been an official partner with Technically Philly, a news site that covers technology in the region. Together, the news sites have embarked on Broadband2035, a series to help inform the Planning Commission’s comprehensive plan about the issue of broadband connectivity and its stake in this city’s future development.

Next week, Technically Philly will host Philly Tech Week, a week-long series of events dedicated to technology and innovation in the region. With more than 60 events on the calendar, PlanPhilly is proud to be a sponsor of the event. Here are our highlights of the week:

Mon., April 25; City Data Unveiling: The official launch of OpenDataPhilly.org, a first-of-a-kind online catalog of data about our city. Throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond, a multitude of government agencies, nonprofit organizations and academic institutions have assembled data pertaining to their activities and the communities they serve. While these datasets contain valuable information, they exist in disparate formats and locations. OpenDataPhilly will provide better access to this plethora of Philadelphia-specific datasets through an easy-to-use online catalog. 12pm, WHYY, 6th and Race; RSVP here.

Mon., April 25; Junto: Rethinking Shelter

The Shelter Junto is an exploration of how technology has enabled new ways of finding and building shelter. We will look at the future of cohousing, the emergence of technomads and any other alternative housing model we can fit in.Where we live has always been heavily influenced by societal norms, personal needs and material possibilities. Today’s technology tools are helping to reshape habitation.If you haven’t been, audience members are encouraged (and expected) to participate in the discussion. 6pm, P’unk Ave 1168 E Passyunk Ave

Tue., April 26; Freedom Rings Kickoff: Freedom Rings is a consortium of public and private partners dedicated to increasing internet access and literacy to low-income Philadelphians. Free computer use, internet access and training will be offered through Freedom Rings Computing Centers and Training Programs that will being to be rolled out. This event will offer more details and specifics about the initiative, with leadership from the City of Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Council. 3pm, 1233 Locust Street.

Wed., April 27; Philadelphia 2035 Innovation: Come get a preview of the innovations set forth in the Philadelphia2035 plan and share your own.In February, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission shared an initial draft of Philadelphia2035, the City’s first long-range citywide physical-development plan completed in two generations. During this lunchtime series, Alan Urek, the Director of the commission’s Strategic Planning and Policy Division, will talk about the plan’s transformative ideas that will drive growth and foster positive change in the region’s future.Join the dialog about what kind of city we want to be in 2035. What will it mean to be “connected” 25 years from now? 12pm, WHYY, 6th and Race streets, Old City. RSVP here. 

Thu., April 28; Challenges and Innovations in Nonprofit Web Design: Happy Cog President Greg Hoy will moderate a panel discussion with local nonprofit technology leaders discussing the unique challenges and opportunities found in planning, creating, and launching nonprofit web initiatives. Web projects can be extremely complex. Accomplishing them within the context of a nonprofit organization can provide a unique set of challenges, as well as opportunities. 12pm, WHYY, 6th and Race streets, Old City. RSVP here.

Thu., April 28; Green Tech Showcase: On Arbor Day, during the final of the brownbag lunchtime speaker series at Philly Tech Week headquarters WHYY in Old City, five groups will present their environmentally-focused innovations in Philadelphia. (1) Christine Knapp, formerly of PennFuture, will discuss the Navy Yard-located Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy Efficient Buildings, one of three Energy Innovation Hubs the U.S. Dept of Energy has funded throughout the United States with goals of improved energy efficiency and operability, reduced carbon emission, stimulation of private investment and quality job creation. (2) The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and Azavea will unveil PhillyTreeMap, a website that enables organizations and the public to collaboratively build and map an inventory of the Philadelphia urban forest. (3) Micah Gold-Markel, the CEO of Solar States, will discuss the technology behind and immediate lessons from the company’s first major commercial installation on top of the Crane Arts Building in Kensington (4) A representative of the Mark Group will show off their proprietary technology that marries high speed thermal imaging with satellites to create heat maps of energy loss from homes, while driving by in an equipped vehicle. 12pm, WHYY, 6th and Race streets, Old City. RSVP here.