Urban Planning
News on cities, suburbs, and how we design the places we live
Philly preservation history: Rare Keith Haring mural in Point Breeze added to city’s historic register
While there’s widespread support for saving the pop art mural, its future remains uncertain due to its condition.
Philly tenants are fighting to limit AI in property management. Here’s why
Landlords are increasingly turning to generative software for repetitive tasks. Housing advocates say tenants aren’t benefiting.
6 days ago
Philly tenants are waging a war against ‘junk’ fees. City Council may help
The fight is part of the “End Rental Ripoffs” campaign launched by members of a citywide tenant union. It’s unclear when legislation will be introduced.
2 weeks ago
Listen 0:56
A day spent doing demolition work offers volunteers a firsthand look at Philadelphia’s housing challenges — and how communities respond to them.
2 weeks ago
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Philly could lose nearly 8,000 affordable rentals over the next decade. Here’s why
Amid a housing shortage, researchers say it’s unclear how many of these units will be preserved as affordable rentals. About 43,000 could vanish statewide.
2 weeks ago
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Billy Penn
Indego’s e-bike boom comes with a cost for Philly riders
About 70% of Indego’s fleet is electric, leaving some riders frustrated by extra fees and fewer traditional bikes at the dock.
2 weeks ago
El gobernador de Delaware, Matt Meyer, afirma que la factura anual promedio de Delmarva aumentó casi $400 en los últimos cinco años.
3 weeks ago
Delaware necesita unas 24,400 viviendas adicionales para el año 2030 a fin de satisfacer la demanda prevista, según un informe estatal.
3 weeks ago
HUD removes Chester Housing Authority from ‘troubled’ list
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development now considers the agency a “standard performer” following physical improvements made to its properties.
3 weeks ago
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The total is more than half of the plan’s 30,000-unit goal. The milestone comes as the administration prepares to submit its first report on the plan.
3 weeks ago
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SEPTA unveils wishlist for improvements and upgrades, but no sign of funding to make it happen
SEPTA’s blueprint for “best-in-class” service includes new vehicles and shorter wait times, but it all hinges on consistent funding, which doesn’t exist yet.
3 weeks ago
Listen 1:16
Ground stop delays hundreds of flights at PHL following equipment failure
Officials said an air traffic control backup system also failed after a wire was damaged at a construction site in New Jersey.
3 weeks ago
New restrooms and seating with charging ports, along with upgrades to SEPTA platforms and parking garages, are part of the improvement plans.
3 weeks ago
With sewers, streets and skyscrapers, modern cities are complex systems, and it takes a huge amount of design, planning, and maintenance to keep them moving. From transportation news on SEPTA and the PPA to real estate reporting on the 10-year tax abatement and neighborhood gentrification, WHYY and PlanPhilly cover the people, organizations, and policies that affect city life in Philadelphia and across the Delaware Valley.