Urban Planning
News on cities, suburbs, and how we design the places we live
From firewood to solar: This Philly rowhouse has seen over 250 years of energy transitions
A rowhouse built around 1760 in Old City was once heated with firewood. Now, it has solar panels on its roof.
Garden State residents spend more than 30% of their income on housing. The newly elected governor wants to make the state more affordable.
1 day ago
Listen 1:06
‘Strawberries to collard greens’: The Original American Foundation grows free food in Kingsessing
Founders of the Original American Foundation say their goals are to lower food costs for neighbors and prevent gentrification.
2 days ago
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Friendship House (“La Casa de la Amistad”) es una organización comunitaria de Wilmington que ayuda a las personas sin hogar a encontrar estabilidad y recursos.
6 days ago
Affordable housing will remain a top issue in 2026 as lawmakers aim to help renters and expand supply amid an ongoing crisis.
6 days ago
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How Philly’s Avenue of the Arts will be transformed into a green space
South Broad Street in Center City begins a small step toward a 10-year, $150 million greening project.
7 days ago
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Philly bus terminal moving forward on Filbert Street
Up to $2 million will be spent on the former Greyhound terminal to make it clean and attractive for people coming into and leaving town.
1 week ago
Listen 0:58
‘Going to make my life much better’: SEPTA trolley riders react to tunnel reopening
The trolley tunnel has been closed since November. It reopened Monday, but will close again for shorter periods in January and February.
1 week ago
$84 million reboot: PHA seeks to transform vacant Germantown properties into 121 affordable rentals
The properties were part of Germantown Settlement’s vast real estate portfolio before the social services nonprofit was undone by scandal.
2 weeks ago
Listen 0:52
Construction begins at Philly’s Westpark Apartments site
The Philadelphia Housing Authority project covers 1,000 units and is expected to cost upwards of $500 million to complete.
2 weeks ago
SEPTA says trolley wire replacements are done, estimates tunnel will reopen in ‘weeks’
With the trolley tunnel from West Philly to Center City closed the past two months, roughly 60,000 trolley riders have relied on the El or a shuttle.
2 weeks ago
Listen 0:50
The Friendship House is a Wilmington community organization that helps homeless residents find stability and resources.
2 weeks ago
Listen 0:54
Philadelphia expands twice-a-week trash collection
The effort officially expanded to include the neighborhoods of Fishtown and Kensington, among others.
2 weeks ago
Listen 1:04With 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.