Tyler Silvestro reports on the release of new designs for the SEPTA Spur by Studio Bryan Hanes and Urban Engineers, a significant step in realizing Philadelphia's Reading Viaduct revamp.
Following the overwhelming success of New York's High Line, cities across the country, including Chicago most recently, are advancing plans to reuse abandoned railroad infrastructure as public amenities. Philadelphia's first tentative steps in that direction were given more definition recently with the release of tantalizing renderings of the SEPTA Spur design, the proposed first phase of the larger Reading Viaduct project.
According to Silvestro, "As a development teaser, the Spur will serve as a crucial component of fundraising efforts by park advocates, Viaduct Greene and the Reading Viaduct Project, and the design's reception could represent a make-or-break opportunity to complete the larger project."
FULL STORY: Spur to Action: Philly Brings Elevated Park Plans into Focus
Philadelphia Awarded a Big Chunk of State Redevelopment Grants
About a fifth of a recent round of Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) awards went to projects in Philadelphia, including the Reading Viaduct rail park project.
Arguing for Philly's Viaduct Rail Park Provide as a Mobility Solution
The High Line is a famous example of urban revitalization, but a useful commuter path it is not. Can a similar proposal in Philadelphia offer the benefits of beautification and mobility?
Community-Led Efforts to Combat Gentrification in Philadelphia’s University City
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Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom
The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.
Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.
California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
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