University of Pennsylvania
Wednesday, 8:30 am – 11.30 am
Fisher Bennett 244 (34th and Walnut Streets)
Paul R. Levy, President & CEO
Center City District
plevy@centercityphila.org
Will downtowns recover? Is the office building obsolete? In the last decades of the 20th century America’s cities rebounded when downtowns diversified land-use, evolving from 9-5 office districts to 24-hour, mixed-use business, hospitality, retail, institutional and residential areas with an increasing number of well-managed parks and plazas. In many cities, downtown housing demand pushed prices beyond the range of many residents and issues of equity and inclusion moved to center stage in public policy discussions.
The events of the last three years challenged many core assumptions and assets around which these places were built: walkability and face-to-face interaction in the workplace, at conventions, in hotels, restaurants, cafes and public spaces, all supported by public transit that reinforced and made possible the benefits of density,
City Planning 6420 will focus on downtown recovery, reviewing the impact of three inter-related events: (1) the pandemic; (2) the duration of state and local government mandated shut-downs; and (3) civil unrest which led to rethinking and reformulating of public safety strategies in many cities. Responding to the pandemic required unprecedented actions by national governments, expedited production by pharmaceutical companies, well-designed and equitable distribution strategies. However, what happens on sidewalks, in stores and restaurants, in office buildings, universities and local health care institutions, in residential neighborhoods and in parks and public spaces is the result of local action: by government, business and civic groups and transit agencies. Some cities capitalized on this crisis to make needed changes, others are still mired in unresolved local challenges. This course focuses on what can be done at the local level and will use Philadelphia’s Center City as a laboratory for exploring strategies that work, but with many other references to North American and global cities.
REQUIRED READING:
SUGGESTED HISTORICAL BACKGROUND READING: FACTORS THAT SHAPED U.S. CITIES
Readings: Short term views
The Longer-term view: the impact of pandemics
READING
First assignment: (1) Compare two blocks on West Market or JFK to same numbered blocks on Walnut or Chestnut or (2) If not the Sixers Arena on Market East, what improvements do you recommend?
Guest Speaker: Jacob Cooper, Partner & Managing Director, MSC Retail
READING
READING
First Paper Due: Office district or Market East: 4-5 pages with photos.
READING
No Class (10/4/23)
Guest Speaker: Jerry Sweeney, President & CEO Brandywine Realty Trust;
Meet at Cira Center, 2929 Walnut Street | Suite 1700 8:45 am
READING
READING
READING
Responding to Homelessness, Panhandling & Quality of Life Issues
READING
Market Street East and Chicago State Street case studies
READING
Guest Speaker: Jody Holton, Chief Planning & Strategy Office SEPTA
READING