‘Shop Local’ isn’t just a slogan. Our survival depends on it. Illustration by Jameela Wahlgren Question: Why should I “Buy Fresh, Buy Local”? The Right Question: What is a local economy, anyway? Most of us tend to think of “the economy” as the process of exchanging our money for goods and services, and of receiving
MoreIllustration by Mike L. Perry The Unmaking of DM+D by Alex Vuocolo For the Department of Making + Doing (DM+D), a collaborative makerspace situated on the western edge of University City, location is a blessing and curse. Michael Darfler, program manager at the space, says that DM+D owes much of its success to its
MoreInside the Walls by Alex Dews Streets, bridges and power lines all come to mind when we think of infrastructure, but the reason all those things exist in the first place is to connect and power the buildings we inhabit. In Philadelphia, our building stock is perhaps our most valuable infrastructure asset. Earlier this
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If American wants to thrive in the future, we've got to invest in our infrastructure as if our lives depend on it. Because they do.
Morestory by Samantha Drake Any doubt that the Philadelphia region has a thriving alternative economy, complete with cooperatives of all kinds, can be answered by a look at the map created by Craig Borowiak, political science professor at Haverford College.
The Philadelphia Mapping Project illustrates the evolving “solidarity economy,” which, according to Borowiak, includes “economic activities
Image Credit: Kelly Writers House Kelly Writers House has good news for all you artists and dreamers: creativity is the economic fuel of the future. The University of Pennsylvania’s meeting place for writers and thinkers recently started a new lecture series titled “Creative Ventures”, which highlights the value of creativity and its potential to spark
MoreThe economy should be funby Paul Glover
Philadelphia’s greenest dreams can come true, with enough money. Parks and yards can overflow with fresh healthy food; our neighborhoods can become as beautiful as our kids’ smiles; each of us can be proudly employed rebuilding our city; every home can be secure.
Don't Panic, Philly--there's work to do!
by Kenneth D. Smith, Ph.D.
Many Philadelphians feel anxious about the unfolding economic crisis. So far we’ve witnessed eye-popping declines in our 401Ks, unprecedented layoffs from CitiBank to City Hall, and planned cuts in City services, including libraries, firehouses, recreation centers and public swimming pools. Given the tense environment, is there